Crucial Question: When Can I File Another Bankruptcy?
It's a matter of timing. And that timing depends on whether you previously filed under Chapter 7 or 13, and what you are filing under now.
Paying Unpaid Child/Spousal Support before Bankruptcy
Before filing bankruptcy, you should know the implications of an unpaid child/spousal support debt. Payment may depend on whether you file Chapter 7 or 13.
A Chapter 13 Plan to Catch up on Past-Due Support
Here's an example of a Chapter 13 payment plan to pay past-due child and/or spousal support, showing how you can catch up safely and sanely.
Catching up on Support through Chapter 13
Chapter 13 gives you a powerful, reasonable, flexible, and even calm procedure for catching up on your past-due child or spousal support.
Conditions for Stopping Support Collections in Chapter 13
Chapter 13 immediately stops the collection of past-due child or spousal support. But to keep that protection you must meet some conditions for stopping support collections.
Unpaid Child and Spousal Support in Chapter 13
Chapter 13 DOES stop the collection of unpaid child or spousal support from your after-filing income and other assets. Chapter 7 does NOT.
Unpaid Child and Spousal Support in Chapter 7
Chapter 7 does not stop the collection of unpaid child or spousal support, nor provide any procedure to pay the support. It may still help enough.
Avoid a Support Lien through Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 is very limited in helping avoid a support lien. Chapter 13 is much more powerful, as long as you precisely meet some conditions.
