One of the most common things we hear after someone files a bankruptcy is they are not receiving statements for their mortgage or car creditors and they want to keep these pieces of property. Further, their online access to these accounts is shut off. Don’t worry, this is normal. The most important thing to know is you should continue sending in your payment on the property you want to keep after filing a bankruptcy.

The reason statements stop being sent and online access is shut off is because when you file a bankruptcy, the bankruptcy enacts an automatic stay which is what provides you with “protection” from creditors trying to collect a debt from you while you are in the bankruptcy. The creditors believe that by sending a statement they are violating the automatic stay by trying to get a payment from you. If they violate the automatic stay they could be sanctioned by the federal government. They don’t want that. So what can you do?

There are a few things you can do when this happens. You can contact the creditor, explain you’ve filed bankruptcy but wish to keep making payments on this debt and ask if they can resume sending statements. Most creditors have a form that can be filled out and signed by our office giving the creditor permission to send you statements. Some creditors may just agree to sending statements without the need of a form. However, other creditors may refuse to send statements no matter what you do. Even if you can’t get a statement sent to you, it’s imperative to keep making your monthly payments on any asset you are keeping and keep good records of those payments.

Even if you are not able to have the creditor send you statements right away, don’t worry, you should be able to get online access again not long after filing the bankruptcy. At worst, online access is usually reinstated once you are discharged from the bankruptcy.