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 New Year, a New Financial Start
It’s a new year. What could be a better resolution than to get a new financial start for 2018!? What could be better than that? An Overall New Financial Start Get a new start by discharging (permanently, legally writing off) all or most of your debts. If you have mostly consumer or small business debts you have two main … Read More
The Timing on Writing Off Recent Credit Card Debt
Using a credit card shortly before filing bankruptcy doesn’t seem right. The law agrees. Writing off this kind of debt can be a problem.
Bankruptcy Timing with New Medical Debts
How to know whether to delay filing bankruptcy when you’re expecting new medical services and their medical debts? Here are two examples.
Example of a Completed Chapter 13 Case
What does the completion of a successful 3-to-year Chapter 13 case look like?What happens to your assets and debts?
Finishing Your Chapter 13 Case
Finishing a Chapter 13 case successfully is a big deal. It is rewarding financially and emotionally. Here’s how it happens.
One Caution about Your Chapter 13 Case When Getting Divorced
If getting separated or divorced while in a Chapter 13 case, you’ll likely each need a new lawyer for independent advice about what to do.
Voluntarily Dismissing Your Chapter 13 Case
The Bankruptcy Code explicitly says that, at the request of the person in a Chapter 13 case, the bankruptcy “court shall dismiss” the case.
Using Chapter 13 to Get Current on Child or Spousal Support
If you’re behind on support payments, filing under Chapter 13 can legally stop your ex-spouse and support enforcement from pursuing you.
Bankruptcy Can Protect Your Co-Signer
Don’t be afraid to file bankruptcy because of how it would affect a co-signer. Your bankruptcy often actually helps that co-signer.
An Example of the Judge’s Ruling in a Dischargeability Proceeding
In our example of the adversary proceeding about whether a debt gets discharged, here is the bankruptcy court’s ruling on the matter.
An Example of the Closing Arguments in a Dischargeability Proceeding
In our example about the adversary proceeding about whether a debt gets discharged, here are the creditor’s and debtor’s closing arguments.
An Example of a Trial in a Dischargeability Proceeding
In our example about the process about whether a debt gets discharged, here’s what happens at the bankruptcy court trial itself.
An Example of Discovering the Facts in a Dischargeability Proceeding
Here’s how the debtor and creditor get at the facts in an adversary proceeding about whether a debt gets discharged.
An Example of a Creditor’s Dischargeability Objection
Here’s an example showing in a practical way what happens when a creditor objects to the legal write-off of a debt in bankruptcy.