what does bankrupcy attorney need from me when filing for chapter 13

by Mariane Berge V 7 min read

Not only must you meet with the Chapter 13 trustee, but you must present a Chapter 13 Plan which will be accepted by the Court. This is the part where most people struggle when filing without a lawyer. Your Chapter 13 Plan must meet all requirements in the Bankruptcy Code

Bankruptcy in the United States

In the United States, bankruptcy is governed by federal law, commonly referred to as the "Bankruptcy Code". The United States Constitution authorizes Congress to enact "uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States". Congress has exercised this authority several times since 1801, including through adoption of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended, codified in Title 1…

to be “confirmed” by the court.

If you and your attorney decide to go forward with your case, you likely will be provided with a detailed checklist of all the other myriad documents needed, such as loan payoffs, copies of titles, copies of tax returns, six months of pay advices, deeds of trust, proof of insurance, and on and on.Oct 22, 2021

Full Answer

How do I file a chapter 13 bankruptcy case?

Dec 14, 2016 · The cost to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy consists of a $313 filing fee and fees charged by a bankruptcy attorney. As for documents and other information, you must provide: A list of creditors and the amount of their claims. Proof of income. List any properties you own and any leases in your name. List your monthly living expenses.

Can I represent myself in Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

May 20, 2020 · The filing fee for a Chapter 13 case is $313. You’ll need to pay the full amount directly to the court when you go to file your forms. There is no fee waiver option when filing a Chapter 13 case like there is with a Chapter 7. Make sure to also print out the exact number of copies your local bankruptcy court requires.

Why can't I qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

A chapter 13 debtor is entitled to a discharge upon completion of all payments under the chapter 13 plan so long as the debtor: (1) certifies (if applicable) that all domestic support obligations that came due prior to making such certification have been paid; (2) has not received a discharge in a prior case filed within a certain time frame (two years for prior chapter 13 cases and four years …

Can a stockbroker file Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Feb 28, 2018 · What Documents You’ll Need If You File Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. If you and your attorney decide to go forward with your case, you likely will be provided with a detailed checklist of all the other myriad documents needed, such as loan payoffs, copies of titles, copies of tax returns, six months of pay advices, deeds of trust, proof of insurance, and on and on.

Does Chapter 13 trustee check your bank account?

Does Chapter 13 Trustee Check Your Bank Account? Yes, it's highly likely that your appointed trustee will check both your personal bank accounts and any business-related bank accounts which you may have under your name.Jan 23, 2022

What is considered an asset when filing for bankruptcy?

Everything you own or have an interest in is considered an asset in your Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In other words, all your belongings are “assets” even if they're not really worth much. That doesn't mean that the bankruptcy trustee will sell everything you have, though.Oct 16, 2020

What happens to your bank account when you file Chapter 13?

While non-exempt bank account funds are not turned over to the trustee under Chapter 13, the debtor must pay a sum equal to the funds over the exemption amount during the life of the plan. These payments will be distributed among the debtor's various creditors.

What percentage of debt do you pay back in Chapter 13?

If your request to pay off Chapter 13 early is approved by a court, you'll be required to pay 100 percent of the debt claims on your bankruptcy case. This includes unsecured debt, such as credit cards, which would've been discharged if you'd kept making Chapter 13 plan payments on the original schedule.Jul 13, 2021

What can they take during bankruptcies?

Generally, the types of assets that you can keep in a bankruptcy include:personal items and clothing.household furniture, food and equipment in your permanent home.tools necessary to your work.a motor vehicle with a value up to a certain limit, usually an older vehicle qualifies.certain farm property.

What are nonexempt assets in Chapter 13?

“Nonexempt assets are those that can be sold by the trustee assigned to your case by a bankruptcy court.” Some examples of nonexempt assets include: Vacation homes or other properties that are not your primary residence. New or expensive cars.May 10, 2021

What is the average monthly payment for Chapter 13?

about $500 to $600 per monthThe average payment for a Chapter 13 case overall is probably about $500 to $600 per month. This information, however, may not be very helpful for your particular situation. It takes into account a large number of low payment amounts where low income debtors are paying very little back.May 16, 2018

Will Chapter 13 take all my money?

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must devote all of your "disposable income" to repayment of your debts over the life of your Chapter 13 plan. Your disposable income first goes to your secured and priority creditors. Your unsecured creditors share any remaining amount.

How long does the automatic stay remain in effect in Chapter 13?

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, people reorganize their debts and enter into repayment plans lasting up to five years. As long as they continue making their payments as ordered, the automatic stay will continue while they are in bankruptcy.Jul 20, 2021

Will Chapter 13 take my tax return?

The Chapter 13 Trustee will not complete or file your tax returns for you. If your tax returns have not been filed or become delinquent during the course of your Chapter 13 plan, you may lose the protection of the Bankruptcy Court as your case may be dismissed.

Does Chapter 13 wipe out all debt?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to catch up on missed mortgage or car loan payments and restructure your debts through a repayment plan. When you complete your plan, you will receive a Chapter 13 discharge that eliminates most of your remaining debts.

What does 100% means in a Chapter 13?

What is a Chapter 13 100 Percent Bankruptcy Plan? A 100% plan is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in which you develop a plan with your attorney and creditors to pay back your debt. It is required to pay back all secured debt and 100% of all unsecured debt.

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What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often referred to as a “wage earner’s bankruptcy” or a “reorganization”. In contrast to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 requires you to repay a portion, or all of your debts back in order to successfully complete your case and receive a full discharge.

How long do you have to pay Chapter 13?

The first payment is due within 30 days after you file your bankruptcy forms.

Why is Chapter 7 bankruptcy important?

Arguably, Chapter 7 bankruptcy gives you the biggest benefit because it allows you to wipe away your debts completely without having to repay any amount to your creditors. Even still, your goals and personal circumstances may not warrant filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

What is Chapter 13?

A Chapter 13 allows you to avoid the the potential of having your unprotected property sold by the trustee, as you'll be paying your creditors the value of your unprotected property over the duration of the Chapter 13 plan.

How long does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy last?

Another major difference between a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and a Chapter 13 is the duration of the case. A Chapter 7 case generally lasts for about 4 to 6 months, whereas a Chapter 13 case lasts for 3 to 5 years. During the 3 to 5 years you are in a pending Chapter 13 case, you will be making monthly payments to your assigned trustee.

How much does it cost to file a Chapter 13?

The filing fee for a Chapter 13 case is $313. You’ll need to pay the full amount directly to the court when you go to file your forms. There is no fee waiver option when filing a Chapter 13 case like there is with a Chapter 7. Make sure to also print out the exact number of copies your local bankruptcy court requires.

How long does it take to get a credit counseling certificate for Chapter 13?

The course takes approximately one hour and can be completed online or by telephone.

What number do you file a debtor form with?

Individual debtors will file forms that begin with the number 100, while non-individuals will file forms beginning with the number 200. Thankfully, though, most of these documents can wait to be produced during the retainer and filing process, and need not be brought to the initial consultation. While debtors certainly are able to file ...

What was the burden of bankruptcy in 2005?

One of the biggest burdens under the “new” bankruptcy law that was forced upon debtors and their attorneys in 2005 was the requirement to produce volumes and volumes of documents. In addition to the formal schedules and statement of affairs, you’ll need to get together a lot of paperwork to file bankruptcy. One nationally known attorney ...

How long does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy last?

In fact, typically a Chapter 13 case must last for at least 36 months and can continue for as much as 60 months, or 5 years.

What can you do while on hold in Chapter 13?

Here are some of the things you can and cannot do while in a Chapter 13 case. 1. Don’t Sell Any Property Without Court Approval. When you file a Bankruptcy case, you create something called the “Bankruptcy Estate.”.

What happens if you get a car in Chapter 13?

Typically, if your car was a part of the Chapter 13 case, the Court will direct the insurance money to go to the Chapter 13 Trustee to be used to pay off the remaining debt on the vehicle. If there are any funds left over, your attorney can request that they are distributed to you to use.

Can a lawyer help with bankruptcy?

A Lawyer Can Help. As always, a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney can help you with all of these issues. The standard forms for bankruptcy have been modified in an effort to make them easier to read and understand, but bankruptcy is still a complicated area. Even other attorneys tend to avoid bankruptcy law!

Is bankruptcy filing easy?

Filing for bankruptcy relief is comparable to filing your taxes. For some people, it can be a relatively swift and easy process, but for the majority of folks, it will take time to gather the necessary documents and information.

Can a Chapter 13 bankruptcy be completed without an attorney?

However, as you can see, the process can be lengthy and difficult. Very rarely will a case make it all the way to completion without the help of an experienced attorney.

Is bankruptcy a sworn statement?

Once you have provided all the information to your attorney, it will still take some time to get the bankruptcy forms prepared and to review everything for accuracy. A bankruptcy petition is considered a sworn statement to the court. As a result, you definitely want to make sure that everything is correct. 2.

How long does it take to file Chapter 13?

You'll have fourteen days to submit your Chapter 13 repayment plan unless you receive an extension from the court.

How long do you have to file income tax for Chapter 13?

Your Income Tax Filings Must Be Current. To file for Chapter 13, you will have to submit proof that you filed your federal and state income tax returns for the four tax years before your bankruptcy filing date.

Can a business file for bankruptcy in the name of a business?

Businesses Not Allowed in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. A business cannot file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the name of that business. Businesses are steered toward Chapter 11 bankruptcy when they need help reorganizing their debts.

Is Chapter 13 bankruptcy good?

For many debtors, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a good option. It has provisions that will allow an individual with regular income to repay some creditors less than the amount owed while keeping all assets, including houses and cars . But not everyone is eligible.

Can bankruptcy erase stimulus checks?

If you're one of the millions laid off due to COVID-19, bankruptcy can erase bills while keeping most retirement accounts intact. And you don't need to worry about losing your stimulus funds—the new bankruptcy "recovery rebate" law protects stimulus checks, tax credits, and child credits. Bankruptcy lawyers will consult with you virtually, ...

Can you pay back debt in Chapter 13?

Your plan must pay back certain debts in full, or the judge will not confirm (approve) it and allow you to proceed. (For more information, see The Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Repayment Plan. ) You can use the income from the following sources to fund a Chapter 13 plan: unemployment benefits, strike benefits, and the like.

Can a sole proprietor file for bankruptcy?

Therefore, Chapter 13 can effectively help reorganize a sole proprietor's business.) You can, however, file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy as an individual even if you own a business. You'll include business-related debts for which you are personally liable in your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. But, the business will remain liable for the debt.

What happens if you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy without a lawyer?

When you file Chapter 13 without a lawyer, there are many pitfalls that could lead to dismissal of your case. Common reasons for the dismissal of Chapter 13 cases where the debtor is self-represented include failing to: file all of the schedules, statements, ...

What to do if you file Chapter 13?

If you filed Chapter 13 to take advantage of legal strategies such as lien stripping or cramdown, or to combine it with a mortgage modification, you will need to file the appropriate motions with the court and attend hearings.

What does it mean to represent yourself in bankruptcy?

When you represent yourself, you are responsible for researching the law, following the bankruptcy court rules, preparing and filing all of your documents, and making all of the decisions in your case. When you file for Chapter 13, a trustee is appointed but the trustee is not your lawyer.

How long can you stay on a bankruptcy?

But even then, you have another hurdle because the automatic stay that you rely on to stop collection actions while your bankruptcy is pending may be limited to 30 days or not available at all without filing motions and convincing the judge to continue or impose the stay.

What happens if you don't file Chapter 13?

If you are not successful, the court will dismiss your Chapter 13 case. If this happens, at best, you are back in the same spot you were before you filed. But you could also end up in a worse position: With the passing of time, additional interest and late charges will accrue and sometimes creditors are angry about the delay.

Can a lawyer represent you in Chapter 13?

The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties. Hiring an attorney to represent you in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be expensive.

Can a trustee be a lawyer?

When you file for Chapter 13, a trustee is appointed but the trustee is not your lawyer. In fact, the trustee is prohibited from providing you with legal advice and is rarely, if ever, able to respond to calls or emails requesting help with your case. The Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee will likely notify you if your plan is not in compliance ...

How long does it take to get money from Chapter 13?

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows a debtor (the person who files the case) to pay past due debts through a three- to five-year repayment plan. However, if a tenant owes you back rent and files a Chapter 13 case, you won’t have to wait years to get your money. The waiting period will depend on whether a lease is still in force, ...

What happens if a Chapter 13 trustee rejects a lease?

Chapter 13 trustees rarely have an interest in a debtor’s residential lease and will routinely reject the lease. Once its rejected, the debtor has the option to make the same choice. If the debtor chooses to reject it, the lease is terminated. If the lease gets rejected.

How long does it take for a debtor to pay creditors?

Most debtors will include the owed amount in their plan to be paid along with the other creditors over the three- to five-year period. You can challenge that payment schedule by filing an objection to the plan and arguing that “promptly”—as used in the bankruptcy code—means something less than the term of the plan.

Can you evict a tenant who filed Chapter 13?

Then, you receive a notice from the court that the tenant filed a Chapter 13 case. Your eviction suit isn’t necessarily dead in the water. If you received a judgment for possession before the tenant filed the bankruptcy case, in most states, you could move forward with the eviction because the automatic stay won’t apply.

Can a tenant file for money default?

There is an exception, however. A few states grant the tenant the right to cure a money default even after the court issues the judgment for possession. To claim that right, the tenant must file a certification and deposit with the bankruptcy court the rent that will come due in those first 30 days of the bankruptcy.

Can you file Chapter 13 if you owe rent?

If the rent is current when the tenant files the Chapter 13 case, you won’t have to do much unless the tenant or the trustee rejects the lease. However, when your bankrupt tenant owes you rent, you have to be careful how you interact so that you don’t run afoul of the automatic stay, an injunction ...

Can you evict a tenant after bankruptcy?

You didn’t receive an eviction judgment before the bankruptcy. If you want to evict after the tenant files a Chapter 13 case, your first stop is the bankruptcy court to ask the judge to lift the automatic stay.

What documents are needed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

There are a number of documents you need before filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Although the specific documents may vary depending on your type of case and the district you file, you will at least need to gather the following before filing your petition: 1 Your tax returns 2 Pay stubs 3 Appraisals of your home, jewelry, and other exempt assets 4 Your car titles 5 Evidence of child support/alimony obligations 6 Bank statements 7 Proof that you took credit counseling

How does bankruptcy affect your life?

It could also have a major impact on your daily life. Filing for bankruptcy can affect your credit and property.

4 attorney answers

You might as well tell the truth instead of letting your bankruptcy trustee jump to the conclusion that you are hiding assets. In fact, being willing to tell the truth is the primary requirement to file any sort of bankruptcy. Hope this perspective helps! More

Matthew William Hoffmann

Yes, you're required to list gambling losses on line 8 of the statement of financial affairs. As my colleague noted, while a Chapter 13 will help you get back on track, you will need help for the gambling problem to have any chance of success. I've had clients with the same problem, and Gambler's Anonymous has helped them.

Chad L. Edwards

Yes, you are required to list this sort of information in the Statement of Financial Affairs. BTW, if you filed Ch7 in June 2010, you can still file a Ch13 but will not be eligible for s discharge in the 13 until at least 4 years have passed from the filing of your Ch7.