You've worked hard to prepare for a secure retirement, faithfully making contributions to your IRA or to a 401(k). Then you experience health problems, or lose your job, and the bills become unmanageable. A personal bankruptcy filing may be the only way to get back on your feet again. If you file for bankruptcy, though, will you jeopardize your … [Read more...]
Are Your Retirement Assets Safe When You File for Bankruptcy Protection?
April 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment
How Does a Bankruptcy Filing affect an Inheritance?
April 8, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Can You Potentially Lose an Inheritance if You Seek Protection in Bankruptcy? You've had difficulty meeting your financial responsibilities, and have successfully discharged debts through a Chapter 7 proceeding. After the termination of the bankruptcy proceeding, you learn that you are the beneficiary of the estate of a loved one. What are the … [Read more...]
Can You Discharge a Car Accident Verdict in Bankruptcy?
March 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
It's not common that a private individual will have personal financial responsibility for damages suffered by another person in a motor vehicle accident. That's generally covered by automobile insurance. There are, however, isolated instances where you may be sued directly by another person, or by an insurance company, for losses incurred. Can you … [Read more...]
Can You Manage Tax Debts with a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Filing?
March 14, 2019 by Leave a Comment
In an earlier blog, we discussed the limitations on discharging a tax liability through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. You can, however, use a Chapter 13 debtor reorganization to reduce the amount you must pay every month. In addition, you may actually be able to discharge some of your tax debt at the end of the Chapter 13 process. The tax debt … [Read more...]
When Can You Discharge Tax Debts in Chapter 7?
March 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Can You Lose Individual Retirement Account Assets in a Bankruptcy? In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, you can typically discharge certain debts in exchange of allowing some of your assets to be placed in the bankruptcy estate, where they may be sold to satisfy creditors. Among the debts typically identified as non-dischargeable are family law … [Read more...]
Chapter 7 or Chapter 11—What’s Right for Your Business?
February 28, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Determining Your Options It's a documented fact—one third of new businesses don't make it a full year, half shut their doors within five years and only a third make it 10 years. If your company is struggling to meet its financial obligations, a bankruptcy filing may allow you to get a fresh start. But should you seek to discharge debts in Chapter … [Read more...]
Support Obligations and Bankruptcy—Your Options
February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Managing Child Support and Spousal Support Debt in Bankruptcy If you're struggling to keep your head above water financially, and a big part of your monthly outlay is for child or spousal support, you may have questions about whether you can use the bankruptcy laws to get some relief. Here's an overview of your options. Chapter 7 May Not Be Used … [Read more...]
Student Loan Arrearages—Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
February 12, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Suppose that you're struggling to meet your obligations and the bulk of your debt is tied to student loan repayments. You're not alone. Statistics indicate that more than 44 million debtors owe over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, and that that average total amount of debt for graduates of the class of 2018 was $29,800, with many former … [Read more...]
When a Creditor Tries to Collect on a Debt that Has Been Discharged
December 31, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Your Rights When a Creditor Ignores a Bankruptcy Order When you successfully file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, you'll be able to permanently absolve yourself from financial responsibility for any debts included in the filing. But what happens if you've completed a personal bankruptcy filing, the court has entered a discharge order and a … [Read more...]
Filing for Protection under Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Laws The Special Provisions for Family Farmers
December 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Most individuals who seek bankruptcy protection must file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 allows you to permanently discharge debts in exchange for the sale of certain property. With a Chapter 13 filing, you can set up new payment arrangements with your creditors, satisfying your debts over a three-to-five year period. However, if you're a … [Read more...]
