Understanding Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code

Individual debtors seeking bankruptcy protection normally file under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Under this chapter of filing, the bankruptcy trustee sells nonexempt assets of the debtor. The proceeds of such sale are used to pay creditors in accordance with the regulations of the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, the Bankruptcy Code will allow the debtor to keep certain property, which is deemed exempt; but a trustee will liquidate the debtor’s remaining assets. Debtors seeking bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 should realize that the filing of a petition may result in the loss of property. A distinguishing characteristic between a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing and Chapter 13 is that there is no plan of repayment in a Chapter 7 case.

In order to qualify for relief under Chapter 7, the debtor may be an individual, a partnership, or a corporation or other business entity. A means test for individual debtors is employed determine the eligibility of the debtor, and if qualified, relief is available under this chapter without regards to the amount of the debtor’s debts or whether the debtor is solvent or insolvent. Under the test, if the debtor’s current monthly income is more than the state median, the Bankruptcy Code requires application of the test to determine whether the Chapter 7 filing is abusive. Abuse is presumed if the debtor’s aggregate current monthly income over 5 years, minus certain allowed expenses, is more than (i) $10,950, or (ii) 25% of the debtor’s nonpriority unsecured debt, as long as that amount is at least $6,575. The debtor may rebut such presumption only by demonstrating special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income. Unless the debtor overcomes the presumption, the case will generally be converted to Chapter 13 with the debtor’s consent or will be dismissed.

No individual may be a debtor under Chapter 7 unless he or she has, within 180 days before filing, received credit counseling from an approved credit counseling agency either in an individual or group briefing. If a debt management plan is developed during required credit counseling, it must be filed with the court.

One of the primary purposes of bankruptcy is to discharge certain debts to give a debtor the needed fresh start. The debtor in a successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing has no liability for discharged debts. Although an individual Chapter 7 case usually results in a discharge of debts, certain types of debts are not discharged. In addition, a bankruptcy discharge does not extinguish a lien on property. An experienced attorney will guide the debtor through which debts may or may not be discharged.

In order to file a Chapter 7 case, the debtor must file a petition with the bankruptcy court serving the area where the individual resides or where the business debtor is organized or has its principal place of business or principal assets. Further, the debtor must also file with the court (1) schedules of assets and liabilities; (2) a schedule of current income and expenditures; (3) a statement of financial affairs; and (4) a schedule of executory contracts and unexpired leases. Debtors must also provide the bankruptcy trustee with a copy of the tax return for the most recent tax year as well as tax returns filed during the case including tax returns for prior years that had not been filed when the case began. Individual debtors must also file: a certificate of credit counseling and a copy of any debt repayment plan developed through credit counseling; evidence of payment from employers, if any, received 60 days before filing; a statement of monthly net income and any anticipated increase in income or expenses after filing; and a record of any interest the debtor has in federal or state qualified education or tuition accounts. Again, experienced counsel should guide debtors throughout the filing process in order to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

For a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the filing fee with the bankruptcy court includes a $245 case filing fee, a $39 miscellaneous administrative fee, and a $15 trustee surcharge. If the debtor’s income is less than 150% of the poverty level (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code), and the debtor is unable to pay the Chapter 7 fees even in installments, the court may waive the requirement that the fees be paid.

Although a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing may seem overwhelming, with proper professional guidance and counseling, the process can be manageable and drastically improve the stress and financial pressure on debtors choosing to file for Chapter 7 protection.

Looking to find the necessary information on Personal Bankruptcy, then visit www.craiglawpllc.com to find the best advice on Chapter 7 for you.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Information: Your New Slate

From the beginning of America’s recent recession through the present day, there has been a lot of talk about debt and bankruptcy. Since it is perhaps the clearest way for debtors to get a clean slate and get on with their lives, there is a lot of Chapter 7 bankruptcy information that is helpful to know. Anyone in serious financial trouble, however, should definitely consider seeing a lawyer that specializes in bankruptcy law. That being said, what does Chapter 7 bankruptcy mean for debtors and who can apply for it?

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is the complete liquidation of all property not subject to a list of State-determined or federally determined exemptions. This property is sold to reimburse, in part at least, the creditors that the debtor owes money to. There is no repayment plan under Chapter 7; the debts are simply discharged. Applying for this type of bankruptcy is the equivalent of a fresh start, debt-wise.

As for eligibility, any individual or business entity (including partnerships, corporations, and others) can apply for Chapter 7. Anyone filing for Chapter 7 must have applied for credit counseling at an approved agency (check with a lawyer or the agency itself) up to 180 days before filing. Also, if the debtor has failed to appear at their scheduled bankruptcy hearing or otherwise irked the court 180 days before filing for Chapter 7, they are disqualified. The amount owed to creditors isn’t taken into consideration by the courts, nor does the ability of the individual or business to pay debts at all factor inherently limit filing for this type of bankruptcy.

However, there are checks to make sure that people aren’t simply abusing the system to get out of paying their debts. The courts have what is called a means test to determine whether or not someone is filing a so-called abusive petition.

A means test will examine a debtor’s income and their expenses to determine whether the claim is abusive. The debtor’s average monthly income for the past five years is compared to the median amount for the state that they live in. If it is above that amount, the bankruptcy claim will be subject to the second test, which investigates the expenses of that debtor in comparison to the amount of unsecured debt that they own. So if those expenses exceed 25 percent of the debt not secured by collateral usually something like credit card debt then the court will either turn the case into a Chapter 13 filing or simply dismiss the whole thing.

A Chapter 13 claim is very different from a chapter 7 claim. Under Chapter 13, a debtor is placed under a five-year repayment plan to his creditors. The amount left over after that period is dismissed under Chapter 7, and no property is liquidated.

Since the exemptions to what is liquidated under Chapter 7 don’t include very much at all, those debtors wishing to keep the majority of the property that either has a lien on it or is the cause of debt would probably seek an alternative route to repayment. Likewise, Chapter 7 probably isn’t right for those who wish to keep their business going. Another alternative, of course, is coming up with a repayment plan outside of court and avoiding the fees of filing for bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 is currently designed to resist abuses and dishonesty, so debtors should make sure that they’re providing all the necessary personal information and are honestly qualified for that kind of debt relief. Chapter 7 bankruptcy information can help determine whether or not to pursue that solution to a financial crisis.

Anyone in serious financial difficulty must definitely consider seeing a lawyer that specializes in bankruptcy law. Find out more details about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Information and who can apply for it?