Here’s an example showing how the means test can work for you, especially if you file your Chapter 7 case before the end of 2018. The month of December is the month that people receive more income than any other month of the year. According to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (part of the U.S. Department of Commerce), for at … Read More
Unexpected Benefit: Use Chapter 7 to Permanently Stop Student Loan Collections
Chapter 7 bankruptcy can temporarily stop student loan collections. Here are several ways it can stop these collections permanently. Bankruptcy gives you tools to deal with special debts—including those you can’t easily write off. Last week we got into income taxes. Today we discuss student loans, focusing on this special kind of debt in Chapter 7 “straight bankruptcy.” Next … Read More
A Debt You Personally or Morally Want to Pay
If you feel personally or morally obligated to pay a debt, Chapter 7 allows you to do that, while Chapter 13 puts up roadblocks. Our last blog post was about debts that you still pay after a Chapter 7 “straight bankruptcy” case. These included debts you might WANT to pay as well as those that you are legally REQUIRED … Read More
How Chapter 7 Deals with General Unsecured Debts
In a Chapter 7 case your unsecured debts are either priority or general unsecured. Chapter 7 legally writes off all or most of the latter. Last time we said there are two kinds of unsecured debts, “priority” and “general unsecured”: “Priority” debts are those that the law treats as special for various reasons. Past-due child support and unpaid recent … Read More
Permanently Discharge Debts in Bankruptcy
The main goal of bankruptcy is often to write off–“discharge”–your debts. Here’s how it works in Chapter 7 “straight bankruptcy.”
Bankruptcy Cases Can Be Voluntary or Involuntary, Individual or Joint
Almost all consumer bankruptcies are voluntary. Involuntary ones are mostly for businesses. Joint cases with your spouse save time and money.
“Priority” Income Tax Debt under Chapter 7
Income tax debt may be discharged–legally written off–in a Chapter 7 case. It just needs to meet some conditions.