Get free answers to your Bankruptcy legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I lost 3 refinance loans so far and can’t sell either. I asked them to remove the lien they said 24,000 dollars and they’ll remove it.
answered on Jun 1, 2024
With the majority opinions of the US Supreme Court, despite the express wording of Section 506 of the Bankruptcy Code, the secured amount of any "perfected", i.e., validly filed, liens against a debtor's property will survive a bankruptcy discharge. The deficiencies, if any, of... View More 
I lost 3 refinance loans so far and can’t sell either. I asked them to remove the lien they said 24,000 dollars and they’ll remove it.
answered on Jun 2, 2024
If a lein is on the real property records because of a prior judgment you cannot get rid of it unless you pay it off or file a Motion to avoid in bankruptcy Court to remove the lien that impairs your exemption. Often the lien does not attach because of Tenancy by entirety protections of a judgment... View More
I lost 3 refinance loans so far and can’t sell either. I asked them to remove the lien they said 24,000 dollars and they’ll remove it.
answered on Jun 2, 2024
A creditor's attempt to collect on a debt that was discharged in bankruptcy by asserting a lien against property that was acquired after the bankruptcy would be a violation of the discharge injunction. The debtor can reopen the case and recover damages, possibly including punitives, and... View More
I lost 3 refinance loans so far and can’t sell either. I asked them to remove the lien they said 24,000 dollars and they’ll remove it.
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answered on Jun 2, 2024
You may have grounds to sue a former creditor for placing a lien on your new house, especially since your Chapter 7 bankruptcy was discharged in 2012 and the lien is affecting your ability to refinance or sell your home. A discharge in bankruptcy typically eliminates your personal liability for... View More
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answered on Mar 16, 2024
If you're in a debt relief program and have received a lawsuit notice, it's important to take this seriously. Sending the response letter provided by the program is a good first step, but it's often not enough to fully address the legal complexities of a lawsuit. If the program has... View More
It was about a debt that has apparently been turned over to a debt collector. The loan company had my address, and I have never given them my parents address.
I have no idea why it was addressed and sent to him, other than he and I have in the same name. Since it was his name on it, He... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
Yes, you may have grounds to sue the debt collector for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Some key points:
- Debt collectors are prohibited from communicating information about a consumer's debt to third parties without the consumer's consent. This includes... View More
I filed my Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2023 but the trustee said he would let me know how much or my taxes he will take to pay creditors once I completed my taxes. I have recently filed my 2023 taxes and I was wondering what part of my taxes is automatically protected? Will the amount I received from... View More
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answered on Feb 4, 2024
The protection of your tax return, including the American Opportunity Credit, in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy depends on various factors and the specific laws in your jurisdiction. Typically, tax refunds, including credits like the American Opportunity Credit, may be considered part of your bankruptcy... View More
I filed my Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2023 but the trustee said he would let me know how much or my taxes he will take to pay creditors once I completed my taxes. I have recently filed my 2023 taxes and I was wondering what part of my taxes is automatically protected? Will the amount I received from... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2024
Your tax return is something that should have been listed as an asset in your schedules and should also be protected in Schedule C. In Virginia, child tax credits and the Earned Income Tax credit are automatically protected if listed properly using the proper exemption. Any remaining portion of... View More
I have too much equity in my home for chapter 7. And I don’t want to lose my home. I am making payments on the mortgage and I’m up-to-date and will be able to remain up-to-date. I own one car with no loan. If I have to file bankruptcy, what are my options?
answered on Nov 27, 2023
Yes, social security income and a pension count as regular income for eligibility for chapter 13 relief. You should meet with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer to discuss your options. In Virginia, real estate held in a tenancy by the entireties is exempt or protected from a creditor of either... View More
I have too much equity in my home for chapter 7. And I don’t want to lose my home. I am making payments on the mortgage and I’m up-to-date and will be able to remain up-to-date. I own one car with no loan. If I have to file bankruptcy, what are my options?
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answered on Nov 27, 2023
Yes, you can still file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Virginia even if your income is solely from Social Security and a pension. Chapter 13 is designed to help individuals with regular income to develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts. Given your situation, this might be a suitable... View More
I have too much equity in my home for chapter 7. And I don’t want to lose my home. I am making payments on the mortgage and I’m up-to-date and will be able to remain up-to-date. I own one car with no loan. If I have to file bankruptcy, what are my options?
answered on Nov 27, 2023
Your otherwise judgment-proof periodic income should count to make you eligible for Ch. 13 relief.
A Ch. 13 plan needs to provide your creditors with the "indubitable equivalent" of the amount they'd get in a Ch. 7 proceeding, at a minimum. And at least in my PA district,... View More
65 years old. Live in Virginia. Own home with mortgage and would keep current on payments. Own one car with no loan. No savings.
Would I be judgement proof?
My home equity is $300K. But isn’t a primary residence exempt from unsecured debt creditors?
answered on Nov 27, 2023
You should talk with a bankruptcy lawyer in the state you reside. Whether you can file a ch. 7 and hang on to your house is questionable. Most states do not allow you to retain a large amount of equity. VA. looks at tenancy by entirety ownership and whether your wife is a joint creditor with you.... View More
65 years old. Live in Virginia. Own home with mortgage and would keep current on payments. Own one car with no loan. No savings.
Would I be judgement proof?
My home equity is $300K. But isn’t a primary residence exempt from unsecured debt creditors?
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answered on Nov 27, 2023
If you stop paying unsecured debts, creditors may take legal action against you, such as filing lawsuits to recover the owed amount. However, in Virginia, Social Security benefits and pensions are generally protected from garnishment by unsecured creditors, which means your income sources might be... View More
65 years old. Live in Virginia. Own home with mortgage and would keep current on payments. Own one car with no loan. No savings.
Would I be judgement proof?
My home equity is $300K. But isn’t a primary residence exempt from unsecured debt creditors?
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answered on Nov 26, 2023
Your Social Security and pension are exempt and, depending on where you live, you are eligible to claim a homestead exemption under your state law. Same with your car. If your equity is less than your homestead exemption, you are probably judgment proof. However, that will not keep your creditors... View More
I filed for bankruptcy some years ago and I also had garnishment. Once the bankruptcy is filed, does the garnishment stop? And am I still liable for payments even if the bankruptcy is approved?
answered on Nov 2, 2023
At the moment you file for bankruptcy relief, regardless of Chapter, an automatic stay against any action against you or your (the Estate's) property is estopped, and usually courts say "of no legal effect".
But the key to what happens thereafter hinges upon whether the... View More
I filed for bankruptcy some years ago and I also had garnishment. Once the bankruptcy is filed, does the garnishment stop? And am I still liable for payments even if the bankruptcy is approved?
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answered on Nov 4, 2023
When you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay immediately goes into effect. This stay halts most collection activities, including garnishments. The creditors are then prohibited from continuing with garnishment actions during the bankruptcy process. If your bankruptcy petition is approved and the... View More
I spoke to an attorney from New Mexico and he suggested I file bankruptcy in Colorado where I live most of the time. He advised me that it may be possible to file bankruptcy in Colorado under the Homestead Laws for a lien filed from an inaccurate boundary survey judgment. I have questions and need... View More
answered on Aug 8, 2023
Your residency is more where you intend to reside as where you actually spend time. There is a legal footprint of your residency. Where you vote, where you keep most of your assets, what you give out as your address, driver's license, car registrations. I think you confuse the issue of where... View More
I am a U.S. citizen currently in a Ch 13 bankruptcy. My spouse is not included as a debtor. I am the primary listed on the joint returns. We have no unfiled returns. My spouse has a naturalization interview coming up, and we want to know how these taxes in repayment will affect the outcome of the... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2023
You should consult with an immigration attorney about this issue. A family or employment-based change of status petition includes a USCIS form I-864 Affidavit of Support from a sponsor or petitioner. The purpose of the form is to ensure the immigrant has adequate means of financial support and... View More
I am a U.S. citizen currently in a Ch 13 bankruptcy. My spouse is not included as a debtor. I am the primary listed on the joint returns. We have no unfiled returns. My spouse has a naturalization interview coming up, and we want to know how these taxes in repayment will affect the outcome of the... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2023
11USC525 a says "a governmental unit may not deny, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license, permit, charter, franchise, or other similar grant to, condition such a grant to, discriminate with respect to such a grant against, deny employment to, terminate the employment of, or... View More
Auto has a few thousand dollars in equity which I think is exempt. I recall there being an issue with both types of loans with the same lender. If so, is it a state law specific to Virginia?
answered on Feb 15, 2023
I agree that cross collateralization muddies the issue. Yes you can reaffirm the secured debt but may find the value of the car makes some of the unsecured debt secured which may have reaffirm a small portion that now is secured by a value greater than the secured car loan to the value of the car.... View More
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