Q: How do I file for a Motion for a Relief from Stay in NH? Tenant filed for Chapter 7 before signing his lease.
We are trying to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, but understand we cannot file for a Writ until we file a Motion for Relief from Stay even though he filed for bankruptcy before signing our lease. Is this correct, and where/how can we file for this motion?
A: Unless you as the landlord secured a writ of possession from the state court prior to the filing of the tenant's bankruptcy petition, you will be required to file a motion for an order for relief from the automatic stay from the bankruptcy court. From the date of the filing of the motion, it will take about 30 days to get to a hearing on the motion.
A: First, are you sure he filed for bankruptcy BEFORE signing the lease? If so, the lease is a post-petition event and, unless the law has changed that much in 30 years, I don't believe you need to file a lift-stay motion to evict him. Second, let's play it safe. Assuming you are in NH, a lift-stay motion ought to be filed at the Bankruptcy Court in Concord. The Court has many motion forms online. I recommend retaining counsel just to be on the safe side because you want the non-paying tenant out of your house.
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.
