Bankrutpcy
Types ::
WHAT
IS THE RIGHT TYPE OF BANKRUTPCY FOR YOU?
The Fox Valley Legal
Group will help you determine what kind of bankruptcy is right for you. There
are two choices, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
| Chapter
7 | Chapter
13 |
| The
goal: | Eliminate as much debt as possible without
losing any property or possessions. | Reorganize
individual or family debt in a way that makes it manageable to pay off. |
| Who should do this? | Those
who have incurred a significant amount of unsecured debt such as credit cards,
loans, medical bills, a deficiency on a repossessed automobile, and old tax debts. | Those
who have fallen behind on mortgage or automobile payments or those who have a
significant amount of equity in their home. Also, anyone who has significant priority
debts such as recent tax debts. |
| What
is the first step? | A free consultation is held at The
Fox Valley Legal Group for both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. At this meeting an attorney
will ask you questions to help decide what type of bankruptcy is best for you. |
| What happens next? | Your
petition (case) is filed with the court. Approximately one month later you attend
a creditor meeting with your attorney. |
| What
questions are asked at this meeting? | A trustee will ask
you about your income and assets. This brief meeting is to determine if you have
any assets (property) worth administering (selling). In the vast majority of cases,
the trustee recommends your case for discharge and you get to keep your property. | A
trustee will ask questions to determine whether the repayment plan that you and
your attorney filed is feasible. After the meeting the trustee will make a recommendation
for confirmation by the judge. Confirmation is the process whereby the judge approves
your case. |
| How long does
a bankruptcy last? | There is a 60 day waiting period before
the discharge goes into effect. It is highly unlikely, but a creditor could object
to a debt being discharged during this time. If this occurs, the discharge is
still granted on all other debts. Then a settlement is reached or a trial is held
regarding the objection. | Chapter 13 bankruptcies last anywhere
from 2-5 years. A debtor receives his or her discharge when the plan that was
proposed is paid in full. Your Chapter 13 payments begin 30 days after your case
is filed. You may choose to have your payments deducted directly from your paycheck.
|