Although Chapter 7 can work fine if you’re current on your lease, use Chapter 13 instead if you’re behind and need time to catch up.
Treatment of a Vehicle Lease under Chapter 7
You can most likely “assume” your vehicle lease and keep that vehicle under Chapter 7. But you need to be current or able to be quickly.
Treatment of an Executory Contract under Chapter 7
An unexpired lease or executory contract gets special treatment in bankruptcy. You’ll likely get the option of “assuming” or rejecting it.
Do You Have an Executory Contract, an Unexpired Lease?
Unexpired leases and executory contracts can continue on after you file your bankruptcy case. What are they and what makes them special?
Addressing Statutory Liens through Chapter 13
Chapter 7 provides limited help if your home is encumbered by a statutory lien. Instead Chapter 13 may significantly reduce what you pay.
Addressing Statutory Liens through Chapter 7
Statutory liens survive bankruptcy. Chapter 7 may still be able to help in various ways and be your best solution.
Statutory Liens on Your Home
Statutory liens on your home cannot be gotten rid of in bankruptcy like judgment liens often can. So it’s important to know what they are.
Friday the 13th Bad Luck Turned into Good
Sometimes life simply dishes out some bad luck. A bad car accident. A serious illness. Bankruptcy turns these lemons of life into lemonade.
Execution and Judgment Liens
Execution liens on your home are like judgment liens, “avoidable” in bankruptcy. But only if the underlying debt can be discharged.
The Undoing of a Judgment Lien
Here’s an example showing why a judgment lien on your home is dangerous, and how bankruptcy can solve this problem.
Release a Judgment Lien from Your Home
Bankruptcy can do more than forever discharge your debts. It can undo some bad creditor actions, like a recorded judgment lien on your home.
A Judgment Lien is Dangerous
A judgment lien effectively converts a debt that was secured by nothing into one secured by your home.
Object to a Debt You Do Not Owe
If your liability dispute with your creditor spills into your Chapter 13 case, the bankruptcy court may be a good forum to fight it out.