Archive for the ‘Preparing for Bankruptcy’ Category

Making a Bankruptcy Plan Work

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Making the Bankruptcy Plan Work

The provisions of a confirmed bankruptcy plan bind the debtor and each creditor. Once the court confirms the plan, the debtor must make the plan succeed. The debtor must make regular payments to the trustee either directly or through payroll deduction, which will require adjustment to living on a fixed budget for a prolonged period. Furthermore, while confirmation of the plan entitles the debtor to retain property as long as payments are made, the debtor may not incur new debt without consulting the trustee, because additional debt may compromise the debtor’s ability to complete the plan.

A debtor may make plan payments through payroll deductions. This practice increases the likelihood that payments will be made on time and that the debtor will complete the plan. In any event, if the debtor fails to make the payments due under the confirmed plan, the court may dismiss the case or convert it to a liquidation case under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.  The court may also dismiss or convert the debtor’s case if the debtor fails to pay any post-filing domestic support obligations (i.e., child support, alimony), or fails to make required tax filings during the case.

For more information and a free,  no charge legal consultation on bankrutpcy plans, contact the law office of  Fort Worth bankruptcy attorneyPatrick D. West.

What is the “Means Test”?

Monday, September 5th, 2011

The U.S.  Bankruptcy Code applies a “means test” to determine whether an individual debtor’s chapter 7 filing is presumed to be an abuse of the Bankruptcy Code requiring dismissal or conversion of the case (generally to a chapter 13 bankruptcy case).

Abuse is presumed if the debtor’s aggregate current monthly income over 5 years, net of certain statutorily allowed expenses is more than (a) $10,950, or (b) 25% of the debtor’s nonpriority unsecured debt, as long as that amount is at least $6,575. 

A debtor may rebut a presumption of abuse only by a showing of special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income

Mistake #1 – Before Filing for Bankruptcy

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Running Up Your Credit Cards

Safeguard your “fresh start” by stopping your use of credit cards as soon as you have made your decision to file bankruptcy. Don’t allow yourself to think that  it doesn’t matter how much you charge today because you are filing for bankruptcy in the near future. There are instances where a bankruptcy filing does not wipe all of your debts away!

Any consumer debts incurred for goods and services owed to a single creditor in excess of $500.00 within 90 days of filing are presumed to be non-dischargeable and may be found to be due and owing. Also, if you take cash advances or more than $750 within 70 days of filing for bankruptcy, these advances are  presumed to be non-dischargeable and may be found to be due and owing. Use your credit cards wisely or you may find yourself obligated to pay all of the charges.