Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by Clark Dray
3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Wife recently bought house in FL, I'm not on mortgage but only deed. If I file chapter 7 bk, will house be a part of bk?

All our finances/debt are separate and the home loan is solely in her name (I'm only on the deed of trust). I have a large amount of debt that I can't pay on my own and can't barely manage with both our incomes. All un-secured debt (no car loans, installment loans, etc...).... View More

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 27, 2019

A full answer is beyond the scope of a forum such as this, but the underlying concern is whether there's any non-exempt equity in the home for the bankruptcy trustee to pursue. Florida has a very generous homestead exemption that, should it apply, would likely fully protect the home. I suspect... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Tennessee on
Q: In a Chap 13 for TN when losing a rental property I own, do I only lose the house or can the bank claim full value?

I own home that turned into a rental 3 years ago but reside in CA. Need to understand TN rules for what the bank can do when the Chap 13 is filed. I heard some states the bank can request the full value of the home in the filings.

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 27, 2019

When you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you get to keep your assets and pay your debts to the best of your ability. Bankruptcy exemptions shelter the value of much of your property, but your creditors have the right to get paid the value of your non-exempt property.

There are complex rules...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Indiana on
Q: I filed bankruptcy 2 years ago, chapter 7, can I file again?

I have heard you can file but not be discharged for x amount of years is this true? And if so does it keep creditors at bay.

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 27, 2019

You can't file a Chapter 7 however, you can file a Chapter 13. This will be a glorified repayment plan because you're not eligible for a discharge unless 4 years have passed between the filing of the 7 and the 13, but it will keep your creditors off your back.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Nevada on
Q: Can you file a chapter 13 Four months after you get a standard discharge from a chapter 7.
Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 21, 2019

While you can file a Chapter 13 immediately after a Chapter 7, you're not eligible for a discharge of debts unless 4 years have passed between the filing of the 7 and the filing of the 13. A 13 filed within 4 years of a 7 would simply provide for the repayment of debts without a discharge of... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Nevada on
Q: If you file a chapter 7 and get a standard discharge. Can you file a chapter 13 Four months later?

I filed a chapter 7 on 5/03 and received a standard discharge on 10/03. Then I filed a chapter 13 on 2/04 and it was dismissed on 7/04. filed another 13, 8/04 and it was dismissed 2/05. I didn't really file the two chapter 13 but it shows I did but I know who did. My question is this possible?... View More

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 21, 2019

While you can file a Chapter 13 immediately after a Chapter 7, you're not eligible for a discharge of debts unless 4 years have passed between filings. Because the two Chapter 13 cases were dismissed, they're not especially relevant from as legal standpoint. However, if you file... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Wondering if transferring my child’s car title out of my ex’s name/into my name will affect his Chapter 7 filing ..

My ex husband & I (divorced since 2016) agreed to buy our 16 year old daughter a vehicle last year. I was unable to qualify for the loan due to my credit so we used his credit, therefore the loan/title went in his name but I have personally made ALL payments including the down payment. The loan... View More

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 21, 2019

You didn't mention the value of the car, but for the purposes of this answer I'm going to assume that it exceeds the exemption amount.

Transferring the title into your name doesn't resolve the issue, it simply changes the nature of the problem. If your husband files...
View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy on
Q: If I file chapter 7, will they make me sell my home and property?
Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Jun 7, 2019

In a Chapter 7, you retain all of your address which are covered under a broad list of bankruptcy exemptions. These exemptions vary from state to state but generally cover, to varying degrees, household goods, motor vehicle, equity in your home, retirement accounts, etc. This is why hiring an... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Are VA Disability payments exempt from creditor claims (secured or unsecured) in Florida Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Began Chpt 13 bankruptcy payments nearly a year ago. Subsequently, the VA awarded me 80% disability payments retroactive to before I filed bankruptcy. I'm 74. I posted this question before, and the two lawyers that responded said this income could not be claimed by the trustee to satisfy... View More

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on May 21, 2019

Sometimes the law is messy and there's no clear answer. While VA Disability is protected under federal and state law, it's not excluded from income for means testing purposes and a Chapter 13 requires that you pay into the plan all of your disposable income. So there's a conflict... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Texas on
Q: I am a cosigner on a car and the primary is filing for bankruptcy and i am the person who has been current on the car

What am i suppose to do to keep the car if he files for bankruptcy?

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on May 17, 2019

It depends on the lender, but in most cases as long as you continue making payment as required you'll be okay to keep the car. If the lender is Ford, they will probably demand that your cosigner reaffirm the debt. That person would need to talk to their lawyer about that.

Please note...
View More

View More Answers

5 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Can a senior citizen with dementia have any sort of assistance in her meeting with the trustee? Memory loss is an issue

Daughter has power of attorney. She needs to recall two addresses and her mental capacity is making it incredibly difficult for her to remember them and state them in the hearing

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on May 9, 2019

I agree that many trustees will allow a party with a valid financial power of attorney to appear with and answer questions on behalf of the Debtor. You'll want to check with the Trustee first though, as they don't like to be surprised at the 341 Meeting. My practice is to provide the... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Colorado on
Q: Is there a lawyer who can help me apply for c7 or c13 I don’t have that kind of money but can pay in installments.

In Colorado Aurora Arapahoe county

Clark Dray
Clark Dray
answered on Feb 21, 2019

Most bankruptcy attorneys in Colorado, myself included, will allow you to pay your attorney's fees for a Chapter 7 in installments prior to the time your case is filed. The reason your attorney's fees need to be paid before your Ch. 7 is filed is because the unpaid portion of the fees... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.