Bankruptcy is about debts. Different categories of debts are treated differently. The categories are secured, priority and general unsecured.
If you owe too much debt but still need the benefits of Chapter 13, consider "Chapter 20."
As of April 1, you can owe more debt and still qualify for Chapter 13.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh financial start by legally erasing your debts. That's enough if your debts are simple ones.
Too much debt can disqualify you from filing under Chapter 13.
If you don't qualify for either Chapter 7 or 13, do you have to do a very expensive Chapter 11 reorganization? Or could you still qualify after all?
Straight Chapter 7 bankruptcy gives very limited help if you're behind on your vehicle and need to keep it. And Chapter 13? Provides much more help.
Don't react to getting lawsuit papers by avoiding them. Treat the lawsuit as a great incentive for taking the first step towards a better life.
If you file bankruptcy, it's okay to voluntarily repay any debt. But there can be unexpected consequences.
Yes, you have a moral obligation to pay your debts. But do you have higher moral obligations to release yourself from those debts?
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.
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.
If you are behind on your car or truck loan and a Chapter 7 case will not help you enough, file a Chapter 13 case instead so that you can keep that vehicle.
Eligibility can turn on 1) who is filing the bankruptcy, 2) the kinds and amounts of debts, 3) the amount of income, and 4) the amount of expenses.