Attorneys & Lawyers

In our last blog post we learned that Chapter 13 bankruptcy is known as ““Adjustment of Debts of an Individual With Regular Income.” Let’s explore a bit more what exactly that means and how it can help you regain control of your financial situation.

A Brief History of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

In a previous article entitled, “How Bankruptcy Law Has Changed” we gave a more in depth recounting of the bankruptcy story.

Some of the facets of Chapter XIII Bankruptcy go back in the American experiment to the drafting of the Constitution (One could make a strong argument that American bankruptcy originated in English Common Law in the 16th Century).

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, however, became a specific category of debt relief with the passage of The Chandler Act of 1938.

Since then, it has been one of the most common avenues for Americans to obtain debt relief.

How Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Work?

After deciding to file Chapter XIII, a debtor must file a petition with the bankruptcy court of the area in which he or she has a domicile (legal address) or residence.

After filing the initial petition a debtor must also file schedules of: liabilities and assets, current income and expenditures, executory contracts and unexpired leases, and a statement of financial affairs.

Debtors then have to provide the court with proof that they have received financial counseling from a court certified counselor along with a few other miscellaneous documents listed here.

Then, the debtor must give the Chapter 13 case trustee with his or her tax returns or transcripts, this must also include returns filed during the case.

The debtor will then have to pay a charge of $235 for a case filing fee and a $75 miscellaneous administrative fee. This, fortunately, can be paid through installments.

Next, the debtor must compile:

1. A list of all creditors and the amounts and nature of their claims;
2. The source, amount, and frequency of the debtor’s income;
3. A list of all of the debtor’s property; and
4. A detailed list of the debtor’s monthly living expenses, i.e., food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes, transportation, medicine, etc. (Source: Chapter 13 – Bankruptcy Basics)

Then, the trustee will call a meeting with the debtor and all creditors. The debtor will be placed under oath, then be subjected to a series of questions from the trustee and creditors. During this meeting the actual disbursement plan is completed.

Following the trustee and creditor meeting, the court will hold the bankruptcy hearing.

After a confirmation of the plan by the bankruptcy court judge, the Chapter 13 plan will be implemented and it is up to the debtor to see that it is carried out to full success.

*Note that married couples can file jointly or separately.

Who Can File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Chapter XIII is fairly inclusive as to who can apply for it.

Here are the basic qualifications:

• Debtor must have proof of regular income.
• Unsecured debts can be no greater than $394,725.
• Secured debts can be no greater than $1,184,200.

Benefits of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

• Because of the development of a legally binding debt payment plan with Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debtors are allowed to keep certain assets out of reach from creditors.
• It allows a debtor to pay past-due payments like taxes, child-support, and alimony while protecting co-signers and allowing you to reduce debts like student-loan debt.

If you are considering filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, contact David S. Clark today!

Filing for bankruptcy is usually a journey into the unknown for many. So when beginning, you should have a few questions ready to ask your lawyer so that you can get started in the right direction.

What Type of Bankruptcy Should I File?

Not all bankruptcy is created equal. 

There are so many different forms of bankruptcy. Figuring out which specific type, or chapter, you should file for can be a daunting task.

You should ask your attorney which type of bankruptcy is right for your situation. The offices of David S. Clark deal with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.

What’s the Difference Between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is also known as “Entitled Liquidation.” 

This means that a court supervised trustee takes over the assets of a debtor’s estate, turns them into cash (liquidates them), then distributes funds to creditors. In Chapter 7 the debtor has rights to make certain assets exempt.

Since the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 those seeking Chapter 7 Bankruptcy must undergo a “means test” to determine whether or not they qualify. There are income thresholds that, if a debtor exceeds, will disqualify the debtor from being able to declare Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is also known as “Adjustment of Debts of an Individual With Regular Income”

This is usually a more desirable avenue for debt relief than Chapter 7 because it enables a customer to keep certain valuable assets out of a creditor’s reach. The debtor then proposes a plan to repay creditors over a reasonable period of time.

Does Your Attorney Have a History of Success for His or Her Clients?

There are countless bankruptcies lawyers offering their services, but that does not necessarily mean that they have proven experience actually helping to get clients back on their feet.

Ask your lawyer about their case history. They should be able to provide you with a list of past clients that can reference how your lawyer worked with them.

Should I Even File for Bankruptcy?

While bankruptcy can be a helpful tool to help you get out of crippling debt, it may not be the right thing to do in your situation. 

There are several other ways to climb out of the hole of debt and your attorney should be able to give you adequate information about those.

Some of these other options include:

• Debt Consolidation

  • This involves “rolling” all of your existing debts into one lump sum and is  helpful if you are able to refinance it at a lower interest rate and keep the rate low.

• Foreclosure

  • This is selling an asset in order to pay back a creditor.

• Wage Garnishments

  • This is where a person’s earnings are withheld by an order of the court to go directly to repaying debts.

The answers to these questions are not always clear. 

They are sometimes difficult to navigate. 

So having an attorney that will know in which direction to point you is crucial during a time of financial difficulty. What’s more is the importance of having an attorney who will take the time to listen to you and your situation, then inform you on what the best path forward for you is.