What If I Move During My Bankruptcy?

Your mailing address is very important while you are in an active bankruptcy.  Your attorney as well as the Trustee and/or Bankruptcy Court, send you important documents during your bankruptcy for a number of reasons, such as updating you on the status of your case or sending you your final decree which lets you know your case is closed.

In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, from your filing date, you will receive your Final Decree within 4 to 6 months.  As long as you have a mailing address that will remain the same during that time period, there should not be an issue.  However, in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it will be 3 to 5 years before you receive your final decree.  Therefore, it may be more likely for you to switch residences.  You should notify your attorney of your updated address, so they may file a notice of address change with the bankruptcy court. This is important because it will ensure that you receive important and time sensitive information from the bankruptcy court.

Also, please be aware that if you are selling your home, you must request permission from the Bankruptcy Court to transfer that property while in an active bankruptcy, regardless of which chapter you file.