Q: My client is 88, her home is under water and she cannot afford to repair the failing electric and plumbing systems.
On paper, she is not low-income ($42,000/year) but owes $7K for electric and many other debts. If she foreclosures is she still responsible for the mortgage? (She cannot pay that and rent also.) Would Chapter 11 be a better option for her? Can she rent an apartment after Chapter 11 or will landlords shy away from her application?
A: A Chapter 7 bankruptcy sounds like it may be in her best interest at this time however I can not say this absolutely without a full interview. You can call me or another experienced bankruptcy attorney and they should be able to give you a good solid answer and plan to move forward. A chapter 7 discharge would absolve her of her unsecured debts and any deficiency balance after the surrender or foreclosure on the house and allow her to get a fresh start by just paying rent.
A: She needs to consult a competent bankruptcy attorney immediately. She may qualify for chapter 7 or she may need chapter 13. She does not qualify for chapter 11 as that is business reorganization only.
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.
