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What Is Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person who cannot pay
his or her bills can get a fresh financial start. Filing bankruptcy
immediately stops all of your creditors from seeking to collect debts
from you, at least until your debts are sorted out according to the
law.
A decision to file for bankruptcy
should be made only after determining that bankruptcy is the best
way to deal with your financial problems. Bankruptcy
is a difficult and personal decision, but it is a choice that may
help if you are facing serious financial problems. Although
bankruptcy can help with some financial problems, its effects are
not permanent. If you choose bankruptcy, you should take advantage
of the fresh start it offers and then make careful decisions about
future borrowing and credit, so you won't ever need to file for bankruptcy
again!
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
Please use the form below for immediate, professional, friendly &
confidential assistance.
What Can Bankruptcy Do for Me?
Bankruptcy may make it possible for you to:
-
Eliminate the legal obligation to pay most or
all of your debts. This is called a "discharge" of debts.
It is designed to give you a fresh financial start.
-
Stop foreclosure on your house or mobile home
and allow you an opportunity to catch up on missed payments.
(Bankruptcy does not, however, automatically eliminate mortgages
and other liens on your property without payment.)
-
Prevent repossession of a car or other property,
or force the creditor to return property even after it has been
repossessed.
-
Stop wage garnishment, debt collection harassment,
and similar creditor actions to collect a debt.
-
Restore or prevent termination of utility service.
-
Allow you to challenge the claims of creditors
who have committed fraud or who are otherwise trying to collect
more than you really owe.
What Can't Bankruptcy
Do for Me?
Bankruptcy cannot, however, cure
every financial problem. Nor is it the right step for every
individual. In bankruptcy, it is usually not possible to:
-
Eliminate certain rights of "secured" creditors.
A "secured" creditor has taken a mortgage or other lien on property
as collateral for the loan. Common examples are car loans
and home mortgages. You can force secured creditors to take
payments over time in the bankruptcy process and bankruptcy can
eliminate your obligation to pay any additional money if your property
is taken. Nevertheless, you generally cannot keep the collateral
unless you continue to pay the debt.
-
Discharge types of debts singled out by the
bankruptcy law for special treatment, such as child support, alimony,
certain other debts related to divorce, most student loans, court
restitution orders, criminal fines, and some taxes.
-
Protect cosigners on your debts. When a relative
or friend has co-signed a loan, and the consumer discharges the
loan in bankruptcy, the cosigner may still have to repay all or
part of the loan.
-
Discharge debts that arise after bankruptcy
has been filed.
If the creditors have stopped
asking and started threatening. You’re worrying that the car might
not be in the driveway when you go out in the morning. Maybe your
mortgage holder has used the “f” word: foreclosure. How can you save
your assets?
Bankruptcy is a federal legal
process for debt management available to most individuals and businesses.
Successfully completing a bankruptcy case allows individuals and businesses
to either eliminate or reorganize most of their debt. The bankruptcy
laws are contained in 11 U.S.C. Sec. 101 et seq.
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
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How will the new bankruptcy
laws effective October 17, 2005 affect me? The New Bankruptcy
Laws Will Affect Your Rights!
On April 20, 2005 President Bush signed into law
a new set of bankruptcy statutes. Some of the provisions took effect
immediately, but most changes will become effective on October 17,
2005.
Under the new bankruptcy law,
it may be more difficult for some people to eliminate their debts
through Chapter 7. But, some people will benefit by waiting to file
until the new law goes into effect...
When should I consider bankruptcy?
You should consider bankruptcy
when:
-
you've been unemployed for several months
and your prospects are questionable;
-
it becomes evident you cannot pay your bills
as they come due;
-
you start considering using your VISA card
to pay your MasterCard;
-
you receive a letter from your mortgage company
threatening foreclosure;
-
you fear your car will be repossessed;
-
your car HAS been repossessed;
-
you're considering a home equity loan to consolidate
your bills;
-
you're considering cashing in your 401(k)
or your IRA;
-
you're worried about protecting other assets;
-
a creditor is threatening or has filed suit;
-
you have significant IRS debt;
-
you just can't abide any more collection letters
and phone calls.
Many people are under the mistaken
impression that bankruptcy will strip them of their assets. In the
vast majority of cases, however, those who file bankruptcy keep all
of their assets. In fact, assets like your home, car, pension fund
and IRA are protected from your creditors if you file bankruptcy.
Therefore, it is vital that you consult with a bankruptcy attorney
before selling, transferring or cashing in any assets.
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Are there
alternatives to bankruptcy?
Of course. Some people have successfully
managed their finances through nonprofit credit counseling centers
like Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Dallas, Inc. Among
other services, CCCS intervenes with creditors to set up more manageable
payment plans. Creditor participation in CCCS payment plans is entirely
voluntary. CCCS cannot guarantee that a creditor will accept a payment
proposal or protect you from further collection efforts.
Sometimes a payment plan can be negotiated directly with a creditor.
Obtaining loan extensions, compromises and workout agreements require
negotiation skills and experience. These alternatives may alert your
creditors to the existence of nonexempt property that the creditor
could reach and can involve considerable expenses.
You also have the option of doing
nothing, which may entail certain risks. Creditors can obtain court
judgments on the debt and then attempt to collect the judgment. Some
states allow creditors to satisfy their judgments out of the debtor’s
property, including bank accounts and certain personal property. If
you sell real property after the judgment is filed, you will most
likely have to satisfy the judgment out of the proceeds of the sale.
Judgment creditors cannot, however, foreclose on your homestead to
satisfy the judgment, and they cannot garnish your wages.
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
What
kinds of bankruptcy are available?
There are five kinds of
bankruptcy:
Chapter 7 – also known as “straight”
bankruptcy
Chapter 9 – reorganization for municipal entities
Chapter 11 – reorganization for businesses and for individuals with
excessive debt
Chapter 12 – reorganization for family farmers
Chapter 13 – reorganization for individuals with a regular source
of income
Most individuals and couples file
either a Chapter 7 case or a Chapter 13 case.
How long
does a bankruptcy case last?
A Chapter 7 straight bankruptcy
case usually lasts 6 months or fewer, unless the case is complicated.
A Chapter 13 case will usually last from 3 to 5 years, depending on
the repayment plan approved by the court.
Do I
need an attorney to file bankruptcy?
No, but the process can be intimidating,
and complications can cause dire results. The bankruptcy courts and
trustees are not allowed to give legal advice and can only provide
limited assistance in completing the extensive paperwork that must
be filed. In addition, creditors may initiate litigation in order
to settle their claims. It is very difficult for a person unfamiliar
with bankruptcy law to consider all possible outcomes and achieve
the desired result.
An attorney will help you evaluate
which type of case is best for you. Factors to consider include the
type of debts you owe (e.g., secured, unsecured, taxes, non-dischargeable,
contingent) owe and type of property you own (exempt, nonexempt, real,
personal).
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What
is a Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
The bankruptcy laws are designed
so that all debtors emerge from bankruptcy with sufficient assets
to make a fresh start. These assets are called exempt property. Chapter
7, also known as “straight” bankruptcy, requires that you turn over
all nonexempt property to a bankruptcy trustee, who then converts
it to cash for distribution to your creditors. In most cases, you
then receive a discharge of all dis-chargeable debts.
Who can
file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition?
Almost any individual, partnership,
or corporation can file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. The debtor
must reside, have a domicile, a place of business, or property in
the United States. You can file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition regardless
of whether or not you are employed.
If you filed bankruptcy before,
your right to a discharge may be affected. An attorney can help you
evaluate your right to file another case.
What
is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
When you file a Chapter 13 case,
you agree to pay over to the Chapter 13 trustee a portion of your
disposable income each month for 3 to 5 years. The disposable income
is the money you have left over after your necessary expenses are
paid. These payments are used to pay your creditors. Usually, your
assets are not affected. Only your future income is paid to the trustee.
Under certain circumstances, it will not be necessary to pay your
creditors the entire debt owed. Chapter 13 provisions allow for a
discharge of certain debts before they are paid in full. It may also
be possible to renegotiate a more favorable loan rate or payment amount
on car payments or other secured debt.
Who can
file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition?
Individuals may file Chapter 13
bankruptcy petitions if they:
(1) reside, have a domicile, a place of business, or property in the
United States, or a municipality;
(2) have a source of regular income; and
(3) on the date the petition is filed owe less than $290,525* in non-contingent,
liquidated, unsecured debts and less than $871,550* in non-contingent,
liquidated, secured debts.
*These amounts are subject to change.
Corporations and partnerships may not file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy
petition.
If you filed bankruptcy before,
your right to a discharge in a succeeding case may be affected. An
attorney can help you evaluate your right to file another case.
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
Does
a spouse have to file bankruptcy, too?
No. But, not in community debt
states - which most states are. Generally, each spouse is liable for
the other’s debts. Therefore, if one spouse discharges debt through
bankruptcy, the creditor may turn to the other spouse for payment.
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Will
the bankruptcy stop bill collectors from calling?
Yes. A provision of the Bankruptcy
Code called the automatic stay prevents bill collectors from taking
any action to collect debts. Once a creditor or bill collector becomes
aware of a filing for bankruptcy protection, it must immediately stop
all collection efforts.
After you file the bankruptcy
petition, the court mails a notice to all the creditors listed in
your bankruptcy schedules. This usually takes a couple of weeks. Creditors
will also stop calling when you inform them that you filed a bankruptcy
petition and supply them with the "docket number" for the case. In
some cases, you or your attorney should contact the creditor immediately
after filing the bankruptcy petition, especially if a lawsuit is pending
or if repossession of cars or personal property is imminent.
A creditor may be liable for court
sanctions if it continues to use collection tactics once informed
of the bankruptcy.
Once the bankruptcy is filed,
your attorney will assume all responsibility for communicating with
your creditors.
Will
bankruptcy stop a wage attachment?
Yes, including IRS wage attachments.
Will
bankruptcy stop a foreclosure proceeding or prevent repossession of
my car?
Temporarily, yes. However, the
lender is entitled to apply to the court for permission to continue
foreclosure proceedings or repossession. This is called requesting
relief from the automatic stay. If you file a Chapter 7 case, you
may be able to arrange with the creditor to catch up the payments.
If you file a Chapter 13 case, the past due payments can be included
in the Chapter 13 and paid over time. Often, a Chapter 13 is the better
choice for debtors facing foreclosure or repossession.
If my
car has already been repossessed, can bankruptcy help me get it back?
Yes. But you must act quickly.
If you file a Chapter 13 case and your car has not yet been sold by
the creditor, the creditor will be required to return the car to you.
Will
bankruptcy stop an eviction, or unlawful detainer, action?
Sometimes it will, but it is usually
not a good idea. The owner is entitled to possession of his property
and at best you will only gain a short delay. Filing a Chapter 7 solely
to avoid an eviction might be considered an abuse of Chapter 7. If
the Bankruptcy Court finds that this is true, then the court can immediately
dismiss the bankruptcy and impose other legal and monetary sanctions
on you. If, however, you are substantially behind in your other bills,
and eviction is only one of your financial concerns, a bankruptcy
attorney may be able to help you.
Will
bankruptcy stop a lawsuit?
Bankruptcy stops most civil lawsuits,
including most IRS proceedings. Divorce and criminal cases are rarely
stopped because of a bankruptcy case.
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Will
bankruptcy remove a lien?
Under some circumstances, once
the bankruptcy proceedings have started, a special motion can be filed
to remove certain liens.
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
Is it
true I can cancel all debts by filing bankruptcy?
The underlying policy of bankruptcy
law is that the honest debtor who is in debt beyond her ability to
repay the debt should receive a fresh start through the discharge
of debts. A discharge is a release from personal liability for certain
debts.
However, some debts must still be paid. These are known as non-dis-chargeable
debts. Generally speaking, they include taxes less than three years
old; spousal and child support; debts arising out of willful misconduct
or malicious misconduct by the debtor; liability for injury or death
from driving while intoxicated; non-dis-chargeable debts from a prior
bankruptcy; student loans; criminal fines and penalties.
In many cases, debts that cannot
be discharged in a Chapter 7 case may be discharged in a Chapter 13
case.
Secured debts also may be discharged,
but the secured creditor is entitled to get back the collateral or
its value. Debtors can avoid this result by continuing to pay their
secured loans during bankruptcy and entering into an agreement with
the creditor to continue paying the note after the bankruptcy is over,
if necessary.
Must
I list all my creditors?
Yes, even debts owed to relatives
and friends and debts you intend to repay after bankruptcy. If you
intentionally omit a creditor from your schedules, you have committed
perjury. However, sometimes a creditor is overlooked or not known
to exist at the time the schedules are filed. Generally, you may amend
your schedules at any time during the bankruptcy proceeding to add
an additional creditor.
If you accidentally omit a creditor, and the creditor does not otherwise
learn about your bankruptcy case in time to participate in the proceeding,
the debt owed to that creditor might not be discharged.
If I
am divorced, will bankruptcy eliminate my obligation to pay community
debts?
In general, you will be discharged
from all dis-chargeable community debts. In some circumstances you
may still be liable to your spouse if she or he pays the debt.
Is alimony
dis-chargeable?
Alimony, maintenance and child
support payments generally are not dis-chargeable. A few technical
exceptions exist. In addition, the Bankruptcy Code provides that certain
other divorce related obligations, such as payments to others, hold
harmless provisions and property settlement obligations are not dis-chargeable
if the debtor has the ability to pay them and the detriment to the
spouse outweighs the benefit of the discharge to the debtor. In order
to take advantage of these provisions, the spouse must obtain an order
from the bankruptcy court declaring the debt non-dis-chargeable.
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Can I
discharge student loans?
Generally, student loans are not
discharged in bankruptcy. There are two exceptions to this general
rule.
1. The student loan may be discharged if it is neither "insured or
guaranteed by a governmental unit" nor "made under any program funded
in whole or in part by a governmental unit or nonprofit institution."
2. The student loan may be discharged
if paying the loan will "impose an undue hardship on the debtor and
the debtor's dependents."
Whether an exception applies depends
on the facts of the particular case and may also depend on local court
decisions. If a student loan falls into one of the two exceptions,
discharge of the loan may not be automatic. You may have to seek a
bankruptcy court order declaring the debt discharged.
Can I
dis-charge taxes?
In most instances, taxes owed
to the federal government are not discharged unless they are more
than 3 years old. If you have employees and owe income tax on your
employees’ earnings, those taxes are never discharged. Interest and
penalties on those taxes may be discharged under certain circumstances.
Taxes that are not discharged in a Chapter 7 case can often be paid
through a Chapter 13 plan.
Can I
keep any credit cards?
Under some circumstances you may
be able to keep some credit cards if the creditor agrees. There are
many factors that must be considered. Some of those include the credit
card balance at the time of the bankruptcy, what the credit card company
is willing to do and your ability to pay the present and future credit
card debt.
Will
bankruptcy affect my job?
Bankruptcy petitions are public
records. However, under normal circumstances, it will not know you
filed a bankruptcy petition. If your employer or landlord is a creditor
it must be listed as a creditor on the bankruptcy paperwork and receive
notice of the bankruptcy proceeding. In some cases, Chapter 13 debtors
are required to make payments through wage garnishment and the employer
will learn about the bankruptcy.
Your employer cannot fire you for filing bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy
Code prohibits employers from discriminating against you because you
filed a bankruptcy petition or because you failed to pay a dis-chargeable
debt.
Do I
have to list all of my assets?
Yes. Your assets include your
personal property, any real estate you have an interest in, your right
to receive something from a contract, debts that people owe you, and
many other types of property.
If you knowingly and fraudulently conceal an asset from the court,
you have committed a felony and can be fined or imprisoned or both.
In addition, the court can deny your discharge, or dismiss or convert
your bankruptcy case.
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
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What
happens to my personal property, real property and other assets?
You are required to file a schedule
with the court describing all of your assets. Certain property is
either excluded from the bankruptcy or exempt, and you will be able
to keep that property. Often, all of your assets can be protected.
If you have property that is not exempt, that property or its value,
must be turned over to the bankruptcy trustee, who will sell it and
distribute the proceeds to your creditors.
In some states, debtors may choose
the exemption list or the Federal exemption list. Each of these lists
allows the debtor to exempt an amount of real and personal property,
but the lists are not identical. For instance, some states allow a
debtor to exempt a homestead without regard to its value, but the
Federal list allows only a limited homestead exemption. On the other
hand, the Federal list may allow you to exempt some property, like
cash, that some states do not provide for. Which one you use depends
on the nature of your property and the debt you owe on that property.
An attorney can help you analyze your assets and debts to determine
which exemption list is right for you.
In many cases you can retain your
home and automobile. If you are behind in making payments on a loan
secured by a home or automobile or the home or automobile has equity
in excess of what you are allowed to exempt, you might consider filing
a Chapter 13 petition. You can then develop a plan for repaying your
creditors without necessarily liquidating assets.
Even in bankruptcy, the secured
creditor is entitled to get back the collateral or its value. Debtors
can avoid this result by continuing to pay their secured loans during
bankruptcy and entering into an agreement with the creditor to continue
paying the note after the bankruptcy is over, if necessary.
Will
I have to go to court?
About 4 to 6 weeks after filing
the bankruptcy petition, you will have to attend a hearing presided
over by a bankruptcy trustee. This hearing is called the First Meeting
of Creditors. The trustee is not a judge, but an individual appointed
to oversee bankruptcy cases. At the First Meeting of Creditors the
trustee will ask you questions under oath regarding the content of
your bankruptcy papers, your assets, debts and other matters. Creditors
will also be permitted to ask questions, although in the majority
of cases creditors do not attend the First Meeting of Creditors. After
the initial meeting you normally will not return to court. However,
if a creditor or the trustee files a motion or an adversary action
you may have to appear in court with your attorney.
What
should I do to prepare for filing bankruptcy?
First, you should consult with
an attorney. An attorney can help you plan for the bankruptcy, decide
when to file a bankruptcy petition, or even avoid filing for bankruptcy.
If you decide to file a bankruptcy petition:
-
Stop using your credit cards. If you charge
up your credit cards knowing that you’re going to file bankruptcy,
the debt may not be discharged. Also luxury purchases over $1,150
and cash advances totaling more than $1,150 within 60 days before
the bankruptcy filing are not dis-chargeable.
-
Don’t transfer your assets to friends, family
and business associates to protect the assets from your creditors.
The transfer may be considered a fraudulent conveyance. If it
is, you may lose both the property and your right to a bankruptcy
discharge. Instead, consult an attorney. There may be legitimate
ways to save the property.
-
Don’t destroy any business or financial records.
You can lose your right to a bankruptcy discharge as a result.
-
Carefully choose the creditors you pay. Some
creditors, such as landlords, secured creditors, and some utilities
should be paid under most circumstances. If you pay a credit card
debt that eventually will be discharged, you may be throwing money
away. Your attorney should advise you on what debts should and
should not be paid while you prepare to file a bankruptcy petition.
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What
if someone who owes me money files bankruptcy?
If you are listed as a creditor
in the case, you will receive notice of the bankruptcy from the court
in which the case was filed. Review the notice carefully, as it will
tell you whether or not you should file a claim in the case. If the
notice indicates that you should not file a claim, the court does
not expect that there will be any money to pay to creditors. If the
notice instructs you to file a claim, generally you must file a proof
of claim in order to be paid. Be mindful of all deadlines for filing
claims. If you fail to file a claim by the date indicated on the notice,
your rights will be significantly affected.
It is not necessary to hire an attorney to file a claim for you. You
can obtain a proof of claim form from any bankruptcy court and most
office supply stores. Fill out the form completely and attach any
supporting documents you have that would help prove that the debtor
owes you money. These may include loan agreements, promissory notes,
IOUs, credit applications. In addition, you must also attach copies
of statements, account ledgers or computer printouts showing how much
the debtor owed you as of the date the bankruptcy was filed. Do not
include any interest that accrued on the debt after the date the case
was filed unless you have a security interest in personal property
of the debtor.
You can file the claim in person,
or you can send the claim to the address indicated on the notice.
Be sure to include a copy of the claim and a stamped self-addressed
envelope so that the court can return a date stamped copy to you.
Also send copies to the debtor’s attorney and to the trustee.
If the debtor or the trustee disagrees
with your claim, they will file an objection to it and the objection
will be set for a hearing. If you choose to contest the objection,
it is strongly advised that you contact an attorney to help you protect
your rights. An attorney familiar with bankruptcy law will understand
your options and will help you to maximize your return.
My employer
filed bankruptcy. How do I get paid?
If you are a union employee, contact
your union. Often unions will represent the employees in the bankruptcy
proceeding. If not, file a proof of claim for any unpaid wages, vacation
benefits, etc. owed from before the date of filing. Up to $4,000 (this
amount will increase periodically - make sure you check a current
version of the Bankruptcy Code) of the amount owed to you for services
performed within 90 days of the date of the bankruptcy, or the date
your employer closed its doors, whichever occurred first, is a "priority
claim" under the Bankruptcy Code. The rest of the amount owed you
is a general, unsecured claim. Priority claims will get paid before
general unsecured claims.
Peak Home Loans can help to refinance
your home with a bankruptcy, a foreclosure, good credit, fair credit,
poor credit, and bad credit. We offer bankruptcy refinance and mortgages
with any credit. Refinancing with a bankruptcy is our specialty.
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- Help
How can
I learn more about bankruptcy?
In addition, the Administrative
Office of the US Courts publishes a booklet called “Bankruptcy Basics.”
You can read or print this booklet online by
clicking here.
Local public law libraries also
have information that will help you learn more about the process.
If you are considering refinancing
a home, a home equity loan, or purchasing a home, simply click
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