What Happens After You File Chapter 13?
Once a chapter 13 bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay prevents creditors from legally foreclosing, garnishing, repossessing or collecting against the debtor or any individual joint debtors. As part of the chapter 13 filing, the debtor proposes a chapter 13 plan (“Plan”) to reorganize their finances. The Plan will contain provisions to deal with […]
Preventing Foreclsoure
Will Filing Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure Your lender has started foreclosure. What should you do? What are your options? Will bankruptcy stop foreclosure? How can I bring my mortgage current? These are common questions facing those who find themselves in foreclosure. This article answers these questions and outlines some options.
Can I File Bankruptcy Without My Spouse?
Frequently clients need to file for bankruptcy, but want to do so without his or her spouse being affected. That raises the questions: Can a married person file bankruptcy alone? How is the non-filing spouse impacted when their spouse files bankruptcy alone?
What is Chapter 13 “Cram-down”?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Utah County is a consolidation of debt and a partial repayment over a period of three to five years, based on the debtor’s ability to pay. Sections 1322 and 506 of the bankruptcy code permits bankruptcy courts to reduce the balance or “cram-down” unsecured debt. This essentially converts property that is […]
Divorce and Bankruptcy: Surprising Results
Separation Agreements that are incorporated into a divorce decree (and decrees of divorce themselves) pose difficult and sometimes unexpected results in bankruptcy. Many of the general rules of bankruptcy can be dramatically altered with a separation agreement or divorce decree. This article discusses a few of the problems that divorces and divorce decrees pose in […]
Stop the Student Loan Debt Bomb with A Bankruptcy Amendment
All Americans have felt the worst economic downturn in American history, since the Great Depression. The affects and repercussions are still being diagnosed, assessed and measured. The damage induced by the Wall Street housing bubble is far more widespread than a weak housing market, negative equity, or high unemployment rates.
Can I Discharge Federal or State Taxes in Bankruptcy?
“I heard that I can discharge my tax debt, is that true?” The preceding question is one that is frequently posed in our Utah bankruptcy practice. Federal and State income taxes may be eligible for discharge under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code under certain circumstances. Chapter 7 bankruptcy provides for a […]
Loan Modification or Chapter 13 Cram-down?
In 2009 Congress enacted the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, which among other things requires federally insured lenders to engage in loss mitigation actions for the purpose of providing an alternative to foreclosure, including forbearance, loan modification, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure. Perhaps the most popular among these initiatives is loan […]
Stop The Decline of Home-Ownership: A Bankruptcy Amendment Needed
Since 2008 the U.S. real estate market has dogged our economic stability. The so-called Great Recession was largely caused by failed exotic mortgages fueled by mortgage-backed securities that created a false value of real estate. Years later, Americans continue to struggle with the resultant negative equity in their homes. Due to foreclosures of many of […]
