12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow  Easy Questions  
12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow Instant Legal Documents
 
 
FINANCIAL & MARITAL

Cohabitation Agreement coming soon!
Separation Agreement coming soon!
No-Fault Divorce coming soon!
Bankruptcy coming soon!
 
 

Guide to Personal Bankruptcy in Zip Code 85313

Guide to Personal Bankruptcy in Zip Code 85313


Bankruptcy is a serious decision that people have to make.
 
- Herb Kohl


Bankruptcy is the legal status of a person or other entity when debt due is not paid to the creditors due to insolvency or inability to pay the debt.

Two Different Types of Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, usually initiated by the debtor. It is a long standing component of American law for an individual to file bankruptcy in order to obtain a fresh start.

There are two basic types of personal bankruptcies: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

An individual may file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, which is sometimes called "fresh start" or a "liquidation" bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an individual may keep certain kinds of property (called "exempt" property), and his or her remaining property will be sold to pay off his or her debts. When an individual is discharged from Chapter 7 bankruptcy, most of his or her preexisting debts will be discharged (i.e., will disappear).

In the Bankruptcy Code, the majority of individual bankruptcies are chapter 7. People choose this for a variety of reasons, one of which is they have a large payment that they are incapable of paying due to unemployment. This process is faster and can only take four to six months to be resolved.

Filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 is different than doing so under chapter 7. Chapter 13 (sometimes called a "wage earner plan" allows an individual to pay his or her debts over an extended period using a court-approved, supervised, and enforced payment plan. Not all creditors are paid in full, and unpaid amounts will be discharged (with some exceptions). Chapter 13 bankruptcy filers help create their own payment plans, which give them three to five years to pay personal debt from their disposable incomes (i.e., whatever is left after necessary expenses, like food and shelter, have been paid). In a chapter 13 bankruptcy, individuals are often allowed to keep their property.

Eligibility for either chapter 7 or 13 is determined by the person's living expenses, debts, and income.

Why Do Courts Allow Bankruptcy Filings?

In the case of businesses, the primary purpose of allowing bankruptcy or debt is restructuring is not to eliminate insolvent entities, but rather to help them to remodel the financial and organizational structure of debtor companies experiencing financial distress so as to make them viable, so they can continue to hire workers, provide goods and services and operate their business.

For private households, it goes beyond dismissing debt but also focuses on addressing the underlying problems to minimize the risk of financial distress re-occurring. Credit counseling, a supervised rehabilitation period, financial education and social help to find sources of income and to improve the management of household expenditure can help individuals and families find paths to long-term solvency.

Who can file for bankruptcy?

Anyone can file but not all can be qualified to file for a particular type of bankruptcy. If you have the previously filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you cannot file for the same type within eight years. Filings for bankruptcies are for honest debtors with no way to pay for their debts. If you cannot honestly afford to pay your debts, may qualify to file for bankruptcy. You have to show proof, however, that you are incapable of paying your debts by showing your personal tax returns, proof of income for the last six months prior to filling and certificate of attendance at a mandatory counseling class.

What is the Process in Filing for Bankruptcy?

Common elements in obtaining a bankruptcy discharge: • Attending a pre-filing credit counseling course at an approved credit counseling agency. • Drafting paperwork with an attorney. • Providing proof of your income over the past six months to determine eligibility. • Determining which assets are safe in a bankruptcy. • Filing paperwork with the bankruptcy court. • Attending a short meeting with the United States Trustee. • Attending a post-filing personal finance management class. • Receiving a final discharge of debts from the bankruptcy court.

Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling

It is required that before you can file for a bankruptcy petition, you must first meet with a counseling agency approved by the United States Trustees Office six months prior to you application. The purpose of this consultation is to see if there ways for you to pay your debt without resorting to the filing of bankruptcy. If repayment plan is impossible you should secure your certificate from the agency confirming that you have undergone counseling. Attending a personal finance management class where another certificate is issued, is another requirement to complete bankruptcy application.

2005 Bankruptcy Reform Act

In 2005, Congress significantly amended the bankruptcy law making it more difficult for an individual to file for bankruptcy. However, bankruptcy relief is still available for those who are qualified. The revised elements of the bankruptcy laws were: • A credit counseling class is required before someone can file for bankruptcy and a financial management class is required after the filing • Individuals with higher income must file under chapter 13, making it harder to walk away from debt obligations • The courts scrutinize bankruptcy filings more closely and require additional documentation • Additional burden on Lawyers representing bankruptcy clients - they must personally vouch for the accuracy of all of the information their clients provide them, requiring more time and more fees • Credit and financial budget counseling is required • Property must be valued at replacement cost, instead of a "fire sale" cost • A particular state's exemptions may not available to recent residents (although those residents may be able to use their prior state's exemptions).

Saving your Home and your Car

A person's home and car is recognized by the bankruptcy law as essential to his or her existence. In a "homestead exemption" or "automobile exemption" a person is allowed to keep his or her home and car.

Personal Property Exemptions and Other Assets

Personal items by the person who filed for bankruptcy can be kept as long as they only have nominal value. Expensive items however, must be disclosed to the bankruptcy court and will likely be sold to pay off your creditors. Individuals' "tools of trade" can be retained because it is use to do their jobs.

Can Credit Card Debt be Forgiven?

Yes, with the exception of credit card charges that were run up immediately before a bankruptcy filing, credit card debts may be forgiven. Credit card companies can no longer press you for payments after filing for bankruptcy. An "automatic stay" of all collections activity goes into effect, so you will be spared from harassing phone calls, letters or threats from lawyers of the credit card companies.

Which Other Debts can be Discharged?

Many others debts can be dischargeable in bankruptcy except spousal and child support payments, criminal fines, and penalties and other debts not set forth in the debtor's filed bankruptcy list. Common dischargeable debts are medical bills, lease and contract obligations, credit cards balances, personal loans and promissory notes. Students' loans may also be discharged depending on the discretion of the bankruptcy court to decide if the debts are dischargeable based on the debtor's circumstances.

Married Couples

A person is responsible for his or her own debt. In case of married individuals, the responsibility to repay the debt depends upon the circumstances in which the debt was incurred. If both spouses co-signed a debt obligation together, both of them share this debt. One spouse may file bankruptcy to discharge their individual debts, or both may file jointly. However bankruptcy filing by one spouse does not exempt the other spouse from the debt obligation. In order to file a bankruptcy petition jointly, you need to be legally married.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A short list of common mistakes made before and during the bankruptcy process is as follows: • Repaying money to relatives or friends. A court can require that the relative that received the money return it so that it can be redistributed equitably across all creditors. This will happen if you repaid applies to any repayment to relatives or friends in the year before you file for bankruptcy. • Hiding creditors. You cannot discharge a debt that is not on your disclosed list. You have to list all person and company in which you own money. • Shifting assets to a child or relative before you file for bankruptcy is not allowed.

What are the Risks in Concealing Assets?

Disclose all your assets, as required by the bankruptcy law. The U.S. Trustee, IRS auditor and the FBI fraud division are checking on all the bankruptcy filings. Bankruptcy fraud is a serious offence and you could be charged with a felony or a Federal crime if it is found out that you did not disclose all your assets.

What about Credit Consolidation Services?

These companies offer to help you avoid bankruptcy by restructuring your debt outside of bankruptcy. If you negotiate lower payments or reconstruct your debt outside of bankruptcy you could incur tax liability for the financial benefit. These organizations are funded by big industries that try to collect as much money from you as possible.

What are the Alternatives to Bankruptcy

The alternative is to find other ways to pay off your debt obligations. Bankruptcy may not be the best solution for you. You might want to take some steps to settle your debts by selling your valuable assets. You can also ask the aid of your family if they are willing to help you.
 
Personalize & Print a Free AZ Last Will Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
 
Personalize & Print a Free AZ Living Will Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Related Legal Services near Zip Code 85313
Hawkins & Hawkins, PLLC
1930 N Arboleda Suite 216
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 325-9950
Divorce Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys
Fitzgerald Edward
3233 E Dover St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 699-9334
Attorneys
Mitchell Cohen
3411 N 5th Ave # 306
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 266-9150
Family Law Attorneys, Attorneys
O'steen & Harrison
300 W Clarendon Ave Ste 400
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 252-8888
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Insurance Attorneys, Attorneys
Friedman Paul D
300 W Clarendon Ave # 400
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 252-8888
Attorneys
Nz Legacy
3514 E Presidio Cir
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 218-8880
Attorneys
Vasquez David A
2643 E 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(866) 919-8793
Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,  Wrongful Death Attorneys,  Accident &
Vasquez David A PC
2643 E 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(866) 919-8793
Malpractice Law Attorneys, Consumer Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,
Wolfinger Maria
37 W McLellan Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 265-8722
Attorneys
Polan David J
1100 E Ajo Way # 211
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 741-8330
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Brown Russell C
245 W Berridge Ln # B
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 265-8085
Attorneys
Gaxiola & Assoc
3710 S Park Ave # 702
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 628-7898
Attorneys
Gunderson Denton & Proffitt
1930 N Arboleda Ste 201
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 655-7440
Estate Planning Attorneys, Attorneys, Business Law Attorneys, Administrative & Governmental Law Atto
Gunderson Denton & Peterson, PC
1930 N Arboleda Ste 201
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 655-7440
Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys,  Immigration Law Attorneys,  Wills, Trusts & Estate Plannin
Harris Scott M
6868 N 7th Ave # 109
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 252-7400
Attorneys
Ho and Greene LLP
300 W Bethany Home Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 354-7346
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Taylor and Associates P
2321 E University Dr
Mesa, AZ 85213
(866) 211-7263
Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Corporation & Partnership Law Attorneys, Lega
Dl Drain
1310 W Marshall Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 246-7106
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
William C Loftus
120 W Osborn Rd Ste B
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 995-6811
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Goldberg & Osborne - Phoenix, AZ (Camelback Office)
915 W. Camelback
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 808-6750
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys
Eldon H Hanson PC
122 W Osborn Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 264-6660
Attorneys
Dver & Ferris
3411 N 5th Ave Ste 300
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 254-6008
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Arevalo Law Firm
2802 E 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 884-5882
Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,  Administrative & Governmental Law Att
Kovalik David K
2807 E 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 882-5747
Attorneys
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US