my attorney undervalued my personal assets in chapt 7 what to do

by Imelda Kreiger 5 min read

How can I avoid losing my assets in a bankruptcy?

In a no-asset Chapter 7 case, you don't have any property that the bankruptcy trustee can take and sell in order to repay your creditors. Yours can be a no-asset Chapter 7 even if you own property -- that's because if all of your property is exempt, then the trustee cannot take it. Below you can learn more about no-asset cases, what it means to ...

Does the value of my property matter in bankruptcy?

Aug 23, 2013 · Many Chapter 7 filers can keep all or most of their property—but not always. When a filer must give up property in Chapter 7, the case is an asset case. By contrast, in a no-asset Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, the debtor keeps all property, cash, and valuables. Find out whether Chapter 7 or 13 will be best for you.

What assets can be sold in a bankruptcy case?

Sep 09, 2013 · Undisclosed or Undervalued Property. In both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the value of property matters—primarily because of the rule that entitles unsecured creditors to an amount equal to your nonexempt property. (Nonexempt property consists of assets you can't protect with a bankruptcy exemption.) Here is how this works.

What happens to nonexempt assets in a bankruptcy case?

Feb 24, 2021 · After you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, certain assets of yours—property you own—may be sold to repay your creditors.These are called nonexempt assets. Assets that bankruptcy courts consider to be either nonexempt or exempt—meaning you do not risk losing them in a bankruptcy case—vary according to state and federal law, but nonexempt assets …

If you don't stand to lose any property in your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, it's called a no-asset Chapter 7

If you don't stand to lose any property in your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, it's called a no-asset Chapter 7.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Basics

Debtors who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate almost all of their debts once a discharge is entered at the end of the case. In return, debtors may have to give up some property so that the bankruptcy trustee can sell it and distribute the proceeds to unsecured creditors. (Learn the basics of how Chapter 7 bankruptcy works.)

The No-Asset Bankruptcy

A no-asset bankruptcy is not a legal term, but instead a phrase that is used to describe debtors who file bankruptcy with no property that can be taken by the trustee. It does not mean that a debtor has no assets, is homeless, or living in poverty.

What happens if a trustee abandons a property?

When the Trustee Will Abandon Property. If just a small amount of your property is nonexempt, the trustee will probably "abandon" the property. For example, say you own a car worth $10,000, the balance on your car loan is $9,000, and your state allows you to exempt up to $500 in a motor vehicle.

What is a bankruptcy notice?

The notice includes the bankruptcy case number, the name of the trustee, and states whether it's an asset or a no-asset case. If it's an asset case, the notice will include the date by which a creditor must complete a proof of claim form to receive a portion of available funds. If a case is initially filed as a no-asset case, ...

How long does a Chapter 7 meeting last?

Creditors usually don't attend. Most meetings last less than 10 minutes. Chapter 7 discharge.

Can you keep property in Chapter 7?

Luckily, bankruptcy law allows debtors to keep some property in Chapter 7. Property that you can keep is called "exempt" property . Each state has a list of exempt property, either in its entirety or up to a certain dollar amount. Some states allow you to use a set of exemptions set by federal bankruptcy law instead of the state exemptions.

What does a trustee look for in a bankruptcy?

The trustee will also look at the expenses you disclose on Schedule J and on the bankruptcy means test. The trustee is checking for reasonability. A trustee who thinks your expenses are too high will object to your Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or argue that you can afford to pay more in Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

What is nonexempt property in bankruptcy?

In both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the value of property matters—primarily because of the rule that entitles unsecured creditors to an amount equal to your nonexempt property. (Nonexempt property consists of assets you can't protect with a bankruptcy exemption .) Here is how this works. A Chapter 7 trustee sells nonexempt property ...

What to do if income doesn't match your bankruptcy filing?

The trustee will compare your bankruptcy petition disclosures to the supporting documents you're required to turn over, such as paycheck stubs and tax returns. If your income doesn't match your reported figures, or if you inaccurately report side business profits, you can expect some pointed questions.

How does a trustee get paid?

Not only are the creditors' rights at stake, but the trustee gets paid according to the amount dispersed to creditors. The more assets, the more the trustee benefits financially. So, you can expect the trustee to look into your property holdings thoroughly and ask about any red flags.

What does a Chapter 7 trustee do?

A Chapter 7 trustee sells nonexempt property to pay unsecured creditors. By contrast, the Chapter 13 trustee doesn't sell property. Filers can keep every they own—but that doesn't mean they get a free ride. A filer must pay unsecured creditors at least as much as they'd receive in Chapter 7 through the repayment plan.

Can a trustee cancel a creditor's payment?

A trustee can avoid (cancel) preferential payments made to creditors shortly before bankruptcy. A preferential payment will arise when a debtor pays back a debt to a family member within the year before the filing. Other preferred creditor payments can occur within 90 days before filing.

What happens to your assets after bankruptcy?

After you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, certain assets of yours—property you own—may be sold to repay your creditors. These are called nonexempt assets. Assets that bankruptcy courts consider to be either nonexempt or exempt—meaning you do not risk losing them in a bankruptcy case—vary according to state and federal law, ...

Who is Latoya Irby?

LaToya Irby is an expert on credit cards, credit scores and monitoring, budgeting, and banking products and services. She holds a degree in business from the University of Alabama. Somer G. Anderson is an Accounting and Finance Professor with a passion for increasing the financial literacy of American consumers.

Can you file for bankruptcy after Chapter 7?

Certain kinds of debts, such as alimony, child support, student loans, and many kinds of taxes, will not be discharged following a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 2  Under some circumstances, federal, state, and local income taxes, including penalties and interest, can be discharged. 7 . Chapter 13 bankruptcy is for those debtors who have steady income ...

Can you sell property in bankruptcy?

There is no property for the bankruptcy court to sell, and your creditors won’t receive any payments as a result of your bankruptcy case. 2 . Exempt assets that typically can not be sold to pay creditors include: Exempt assets generally consist of things you need to live or work. 1 .

Who is the trustee of Chapter 7?

The Chapter 7 trustee is usually a private attorney or CPA. The trustee’s job in Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to gather all of the debtor’s non-exempt assets, sell those assets (to either the debtor or an outside party), and distribute the proceeds among the debtor’s scheduled unsecured creditors.

What is automatic stay in bankruptcy?

An automatic stay is imposed immediately upon the filing of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The stay prohibits creditors from pursuing legal action against the debtor and stops all creditor legal collection efforts. The bankruptcy attorney can file a Suggestion of Bankruptcy in ongoing civil lawsuits involving the debtor.

How to file for bankruptcy in Orlando?

Overall, the process to file bankruptcy in Orlando includes the following steps: 1 Prepare the bankruptcy petition. The petition includes all the information about your debts, your income, and your assets. 2 Automatic Stay. Also called a “suggestion of bankruptcy,” the automatic stay stops all collection efforts against you during the bankruptcy process. 3 Relief from Stay. Mortgage creditors and other unsecured creditors can seek relief from the stay to foreclose on their secured property. 4 Assignment to a Chapter 7 Trustee. The bankruptcy case is assigned to an Orlando bankruptcy trustee. A meeting is held in a conference room with you, your bankruptcy attorney, and the trustee. The trustee will ask general questions about all of the information in your bankruptcy petition. 5 Objection to Exemptions. The bankruptcy trustee can assert objections to any exemptions claimed in the bankruptcy petition. 6 Adversary Claims. A trustee or a creditor can file an adversary claim if a creditor does not think a debt should be discharged or if a creditor thinks you have abused the bankruptcy process. This does not happen often. 7 Bankruptcy Discharge. Any non-exempt assets will be sold by the bankruptcy trustee in a Chapter 7 case. Your dischargeable debts will then be discharged by the bankruptcy court. This means you would no longer owe the debt.

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is the legal procedure where the debtor’s unsecured debt is discharged after the debtor’s non-exempt assets have been liquidated. To file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida, a person must be a permanent Florida resident or own property in the state. Florida has three bankruptcy districts ( Southern District , Middle District, ...

How many bankruptcy districts are there in Florida?

Florida has three bankruptcy districts ( Southern District , Middle District, and Northern District ), and each of Florida’s counties is assigned to one of the three bankruptcy districts. People must file bankruptcy in the district and local division where they reside.

What is bankruptcy estate?

The bankruptcy estate refers to all of the debtor’s non-exempt property that is subject to administration by a bankruptcy trustee. A trustee is randomly appointed by the Court immediately upon the filing of a Chapter 7 Petition. The Chapter 7 trustee is usually a private attorney or CPA.

How long do you have to file for bankruptcy?

Those debtors must claim bankruptcy exemptions allowed by the state in which they were domiciled for 180 days immediately preceding the two year period, or the state in which they were domiciled for the longer portion of such 180-day period.

How to Protect Your Personal Assets from Contingent Fee Lawyers

While driving to an appointment, one of your employees remembers he needs to contact a co-worker regarding a meeting. He dials the number on his cell phone, and briefly takes his eyes off the road. In that instant, a vehicle in front of him shifts lanes, and he strikes it, seriously injuring a 78-year-old woman.

Statistics on auto accidents and Personal injury lawyers

More than 42,000 deaths occurred in motor vehicle accidents in 2001. Could one of these have been committed by one of your employees while on company business?

How to prevent personal injury layers from stealing your personal assets

How do you prevent these injurious lawyers from “stealing” your personal assets and keep them at bay? The key is how you own your business. If you own corporate stock or sub “S” stock, chances are that most these lawyers have figured out how to pierce the corporate veil on their way to your personal assets.

How to protect your assets from contingent fee attorneys

What’s asset protection? In my definition asset protection is protecting everything you have or control against pickpocket experts (i.e. personal injury lawyers or any other contingent fee attorneys) who have perfected their profession on easy targets, like you.

Use the law to protect your assets from personal injury lawyers

Use “law” not secrecy. Under tax law, there’s an exception under Internal Revenue Code sections (IRC) §671-§678 that allows the original owners of the personal residence to deduct mortgage on interest and tax deductions of real estate taxes paid on your form 1040.