Are Paying Debts a Moral Obligation?
Yes, you have a moral obligation to pay your debts. But do you have higher moral obligations to release yourself from those debts?
Can I Do a “Cramdown” on Collateral Other than My Home or Vehicle?
If you are buying something on time and want to keep it, you often can do so for less money IF you bought it more than a year ago.
A Patriotic Fresh Start
If you're financially hurting this 4th of July, you may not exactly be feeling like this is a great country. But it is.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Health Care Decision
Even without mentioning the word "bankruptcy," the most important court decision in years may still have a huge effect on future bankruptcies. How? Possibly by greatly reducing the need to file bankruptcies resulting from medical debts.
What Can I Do If I’m Behind on My Vehicle Loan
Bankruptcy saves your vehicle from immediate repossession. Whether you choose to file under Chapter 7 or 13 depends in part on how strong of a medicine you need for dealing with the back payments.
Keeping Your Wheels in Bankruptcy
Under Chapter 7, you can pay your vehicle loan mostly by getting rid of all or most of your other debts. Under Chapter 13, you can pay your vehicle loan ahead of most of your other creditors.
Debts You Really Care About, and WANT to Pay
In bankruptcy, are you allowed to favor: 1) creditors with collateral, so that you can keep the collateral; 2) creditors toward whom you have special loyalty; and 3) creditors who have extraordinary leverage against you?
Debts from a Criminal Conviction Can’t Be Written Off in Bankruptcy, But a Bankruptcy Can Still Help
Three ways bankruptcy can help: 1) write off debts to focus on defense costs, 2) pay only the most important debts and expenses, and 3) reduce chance of related civil liability.
Criminal Fines, Fees and Restitution Are Never Discharged in Bankruptcy, Right?
Obligations you owe related to your conviction of a crime cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. End of story? Usually, but not absolutely.
Student Loans Are a Cash Cow for the Federal Government?
The federal government is making billions of dollars for itself on student loans every year. So why double the interest rate on the loans next year? To boost those profits.
The Widening Circles of Harm from Student Loan Debt
Student loans are not just burdening recent graduates. They're now directly hurting people you wouldn't expect. And dragging down the whole economy.
Are Creditors Going to Challenge the Discharge of Debts in My Bankruptcy Case?
Every creditor has the right to challenge your ability to write off your debts in bankruptcy. But none of them likely will. Why not?
Can Child or Spousal Support Ever Be Written Off in Bankruptcy?
You've heard that no debt in bankruptcy is more untouchable than child support and spousal support. Is that true? Can Chapter 7 or 13 ever help?
Is Discharging a Student Loan Possible in Bankruptcy?
What does it take to write-off a student loan in bankruptcy? An "undue hardship." And that is a very tough standard to meet.
Debts for Recent “Luxury Goods or Services” and Cash Advances
What is the "presumption" that certain credit card purchases and cash advances will not be discharged in bankruptcy?
