The Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Trustee, and Chapter 7 and 13 Trustees
Your bankruptcy case makes more sense if you know the roles of the people involved, including the judge and the various trustees.
Creditor’s Failure to File a Proof of Claim in Chapter 13
If a creditor doesn't file a timely proof of claim on a debt in your Chapter 13 case, you pay nothing on that debt.
The Debtor, Creditor, Lawyers, Bankruptcy Clerk, Trustee, and Judge
Bankruptcy is a lot easier to understand and much more comfortable to go through when you know who's who.
Selling Real Estate Other than Your Home under Chapter 13
Chapter 13 is often a better way to get sell real estate, especially if you have other financial complications.
Keeping Your Home through Chapter 13
Chapter 13 gives you much more time to catch up on your unpaid mortgage payments. That can be reason enough choose this option.
Peace on Earth, Good Will to All: Merry Christmas!
Bankruptcy can bring you financial peace. And in that process you will likely be treated with respect and good will.
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13–Exempt and Not Exempt Assets
Most of the time everything you own is exempt, meaning it's protected in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If not, Chapter 13 can usually protect it.
Making Sense of Bankruptcy: “Converting” from a Chapter 13 Case to a Chapter 7 One
The decision to file a Chapter 13 case may be an easier one if you know that you can always change it into a Chapter 7 one if needed.
Making Sense of Bankruptcy: The Chapter 13 Payment Plan
Chapter 13 is all about what you can and can't do with your creditors in your court-approved plan.
Crucial Question: Does It Take Years to Get Rid of Your Debts under Chapter 13?
Yes, the "discharge"--write-off--of your debts does not happen until the end of your 3-to-5-year case. Thus there are some resulting risks.
Crucial Question: How Much Do You Pay to Your Creditors in a Chapter 13 Case?
Under Chapter 13 some special creditors may be paid in full, while others are paid much less, sometimes even nothing. What determines this?
Crucial Question: How Long Does a Chapter 13 Case Take to Finish?
Whether you must pay for 3 years or 5 depends mostly on your income. Exactly how long it last depends on the many moving parts of your case.
Crucial Question: What Is a Chapter 13 Plan?
It's a formal proposal about how much you'll pay your creditors. It is, often after some adjustments, "confirmed" by the bankruptcy court.
October Tax Season: What Happens to My Income Tax Refund If I File a Chapter 13 Case Instead?
Chapter 13 is not as cut-and-dried in protecting your refund. But generally you can use it for an urgent expense or for an urgent creditor.
Tax Season: How to Keep Your Pending Income Tax Refund While Starting a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
You can usually spend your anticipated tax refund on something important, but may first have to get permission from the bankruptcy judge.