Contrary to what you may hear from some people, there is either little or no difference to your credit score based upon you filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You should first understand the difference between your credit score and your ability to obtain credit. Often, these words are used interchangeably and confusion can occur. Your credit score is the number the credit reporting agencies assign to your credit. It is based on your history of making payments on your debts. Your ability to obtain credit is based on your ability to make payments in the future and is determined by your income and your debts. If your debts exceed your ability to make payments, you may be unable to obtain credit even if you have consistently paid your debts on a timely basis. In other words, you may have a good credit score yet be unable to purchase a car because you have too much debt. Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy will most likely reduce your credit score in the short-term. However, filing bankruptcy also eliminates many of your debts and may improve your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-06-26 15:30:182015-04-11 23:04:18How Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Affect My Credit?
With the new bankruptcy laws in 2005, Congress passed legislation requiring a person filing bankruptcy to take a credit counseling course within the 180-day period preceding the date the bankruptcy case is filed with the court. A certificate of completion must be filed with your bankruptcy. Most of the approved credit counseling companies provide the course online and the fees vary by company. However, it is important that you take your credit counseling course from an approved credit counseling company.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-06-26 15:19:472015-04-11 23:04:18What is Credit Counseling?
It is possible that your Chapter 13 bankruptcy payment can change over the course of your bankruptcy. You will want to discuss this issue with your attorney in more detail.
A few common reasons are as follows:
If your monthly mortgage payment or Conduit Payment is included in your Chapter 13 plan payment and your mortgage payment increases as a result of as a result of a variable rate mortgage.
If a claim is filed in your bankruptcy by a creditor that is significantly higher than what was originally scheduled.
If additional attorney fees/”non-base” fees are added to your bankruptcy. See your attorney for more information on what non-base fees may apply.
If you fall behind on your Chapter 13 payments and the Trustee files a Motion to Dismiss. The Trustee may have to increase your plan payments to make up for the payments you missed.
Typically, the Chapter 13 bankruptcy payment will not change. However, in a 36-60 month or 3-5 year time period a lot of things can happen to change that. Again, you’ll want to touch base with your attorney to find out if your unique situation may cause your Chapter 13 bankruptcy payments to change.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-03-17 21:28:222010-03-17 21:28:22Can My Chapter 13 Payment Change?
Typically speaking, no you will not have to go to bankruptcy court. However, you will have to attend what is called a creditors’ or 341 meeting. This is not the same thing as bankruptcy court. One of the key differences is that in bankruptcy court you will actually appear in front of a bankruptcy judge. In a creditors’ meeting you will only appear in front of the Trustee. The Trustee is the person who represents your creditors, the people you owe money to.
With that said, at times there will be situations where it is necessary to go to court. I would estimate that 98/100 times you will not have to go to bankruptcy court. If you do have to attend bankruptcy court, don’t stress out about it. Your attorney should make sure you are well prepared and it usually only lasts for a few minutes. If there are other questions that we can answer for you don’t hesitate to contact our bankruptcy law firm.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-03-12 05:14:152010-03-12 05:14:15Will I Have to Go to Court for Bankruptcy?
If you are considering filing bankruptcy, you are probably aware of the Bankruptcy Court requirement that you complete a credit counseling course prior to filing your bankruptcy, and that you complete a financial management course prior to receiving your discharge from your bankruptcy.
When the bankruptcy laws changed in 2005, one of the major changes was the new requirement of the credit counseling and financial management courses. One reason for these new requirements was so that debtors will be better informed and educated regarding their financial situation, budgeting, and obtaining credit.
While it is fairly easy to obtain the necessary credit counseling and financial management certificates, you must be aware of certain requirements and limitations.
First, your credit counseling and financial management certificates must be obtained through a Bankruptcy Court approved credit counseling agency. In other words, you cannot just find any credit counseling agency and obtain a certificate. You need to check with your attorney and/or local Bankruptcy Court to find out which credit counseling agencies are approved.
Second, there are time limitations for obtaining the necessary certificates. Your credit counseling course certificate must be obtained within 180 days prior to your bankruptcy filing. In other words, if you take the credit counseling course on January 1 and receive a certificate but do not file your bankruptcy petition with the Court until August 1, you will need to re-take the course and obtain a new certificate prior to the filing of your bankruptcy petition.
Your financial management course certificate must be obtained and filed with the Court prior to the entry of the discharge of your debts. This date is usually four to six months after you file your bankruptcy petition. As a good rule of thumb, you should take your financial management and file the certificate with the Court anytime between 10 days after the filing of your bankruptcy and prior to your first Creditors’ Meeting. By sticking with this time frame, you will avoid any potential discharge issues related to your financial management course.
Although the credit counseling and financial management course requirements may seem as though it is just one more hoop to jump through with your bankruptcy filing, most people find that the courses are actually helpful in planning for the future after your bankruptcy filing, so that you can receive a true fresh financial start.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-03-07 22:44:552010-03-07 22:44:55Why Do I Have to Take a Credit Counseling Course?
The good news is, most property can be protected in bankruptcy proceedings. North Carolina, like most states, allows you to protect most real and personal property by using “exemptions.”
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-03-07 22:41:372017-07-18 15:37:51What Happens to Property That Cannot Be Protected in Bankruptcy?
When we have a consultation with a prospective client we do everything we can to explore every option that the client may have. Then, the client decides which direction they would like to head. One of the frequent questions we get is what happens if instead of filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy they just give up the house and walk away. The answer to that question really depends upon whether or not you have any equity in your house. Equity is the difference between the value of the house and how much you owe.
Substantial Equity: If you have substantial equity in your house then you may be okay just walking away. Typically what happens is the bank will foreclose on the home after you walk away and sell. According to a MSN Money article, John T. Reed, the Editor of Real Estate Investor’s Monthly, a foreclosed home will sale about 5% below the market average but may be up to 30% or 40% below market value.
If the mortgage company is able to recover the full amount that you owe on the property then you are not likely to owe any more money for the foreclosed home. However, you will still have a foreclosure that appears on your credit report.
Little to No Equity: If you have little to no equity in your home and the bank is unable to recover the amount you owe then you will be responsible for the unpaid balance which is called the deficiency balance. In other words, if your foreclosed house sold for $100,000 but you owe $150,000 on the house, then you would still owe the bank $50,000. It is unlikely that you will have $50,000 to pay out of pocket so the bank has the ability to file a lawsuit against you and obtain a judgment. That judgment could eventually lead to a lien on your different types of property. Liens are bad news – you don’t want one!
Typically speaking, foreclosed properties will not recover the full amount owed to the bank for the mortgage. Therefore, they will look to you to pay the deficiency balance. A bankruptcy has the ability to potentially wipe out this entire balance.
The bottom line: if you still owe money for the mortgage even after the foreclosure sale of your home then you will be liable for those costs. Bankruptcy can usually wipe out that left over balance. If you do nothing they will file suit against you and have a judgment that may attach to your property. Ideally, you don’t want a foreclose to appear on your credit. Bankruptcy gives you the ability to keep the foreclosure off your credit and wipe out the deficiency balance.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-03-06 02:12:002010-03-06 02:12:00What If I Walk Away From My Home and Don't File Bankruptcy?
https://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.png00Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-02-28 03:53:562020-03-24 16:33:10What is the Means Test in a Bankruptcy?
https://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.png00Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-02-28 03:33:062018-02-13 08:40:23What Does It Mean to Convert From a Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
It is very important that you make your Chapter 13 bankruptcy payments every month as required by your Chapter 13 plan. If you fail to make your monthly payment to the Trustee, the Trustee will ask the Court to dismiss your case. He or she does this by filing a “Motion to Dismiss.” The Trustee will schedule a hearing to discuss the reason(s) you fell behind on your payments. If you receive a Motion to Dismiss you will need to contact your attorney immediately to discuss your options. If you do not want your case dismissed, the Trustee may, under certain circumstances, be able to adjust your plan payment or term to pay the amount you are behind.
Damon Duncanhttps://www.duncanlawonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/duncanlawlogo.pngDamon Duncan2010-01-30 20:46:002010-01-30 20:46:00What If My Bankruptcy Has a Motion to Dismiss?
