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Bankruptcy Questions & Answers
6 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Filed ch7 bankruptcy 5 yrs ago. Need to file again. Unsecured debt only, under median income no disposable income.

My chapter 7 filed and discharged 5 years ago. My income is under the median income for my state. I have no non exempt assets and only have unsecured non priority debt. I have very little disposable income. Is chapter 13 an option? Would I be able to propose to pay 0.00 to unsecured claims?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Aug 16, 2023

To be confirmed, a Ch. 13 Plan must be both feasible, and must provide to unsecured creditors the "indubitable equivalent" of what they would receive in a Ch. 7.

You do not provide any financial circumstances/facts. Consult with an experienced lawyer in NY who can review your...
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6 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Filed ch7 bankruptcy 5 yrs ago. Need to file again. Unsecured debt only, under median income no disposable income.

My chapter 7 filed and discharged 5 years ago. My income is under the median income for my state. I have no non exempt assets and only have unsecured non priority debt. I have very little disposable income. Is chapter 13 an option? Would I be able to propose to pay 0.00 to unsecured claims?

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Aug 17, 2023

I agree with Mr. Winterstein that the best initial course of action is to consult with an experienced attorney.

While a plan payment of zero for a particular month is not prohibited by the bankruptcy code, plans of repayment must be filed in good faith. A plan proposing to pay zero is...
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6 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Filed ch7 bankruptcy 5 yrs ago. Need to file again. Unsecured debt only, under median income no disposable income.

My chapter 7 filed and discharged 5 years ago. My income is under the median income for my state. I have no non exempt assets and only have unsecured non priority debt. I have very little disposable income. Is chapter 13 an option? Would I be able to propose to pay 0.00 to unsecured claims?

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Aug 17, 2023

You can not file a Chapter 7 within 8 years of your previous Ch. 7. A Ch. 13 requires you to have a payment plan (and can not be 0). It has to be feasable based on your disposable income. Consult an attorney.

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6 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Filed ch7 bankruptcy 5 yrs ago. Need to file again. Unsecured debt only, under median income no disposable income.

My chapter 7 filed and discharged 5 years ago. My income is under the median income for my state. I have no non exempt assets and only have unsecured non priority debt. I have very little disposable income. Is chapter 13 an option? Would I be able to propose to pay 0.00 to unsecured claims?

Todd Alan Morth
Todd Alan Morth
answered on Aug 17, 2023

The Court cannot confirm a plan when you have no disposable income to fund the plan or when the plan proposes 0.00% repayment to your unsecured creditors. You should consult with local bankruptcy attorney to see what your options are to manage your debt. While a Chapter 13 maybe an option for... View More

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6 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Filed ch7 bankruptcy 5 yrs ago. Need to file again. Unsecured debt only, under median income no disposable income.

My chapter 7 filed and discharged 5 years ago. My income is under the median income for my state. I have no non exempt assets and only have unsecured non priority debt. I have very little disposable income. Is chapter 13 an option? Would I be able to propose to pay 0.00 to unsecured claims?

Michael O'Leary
Michael O'Leary
answered on Aug 17, 2023

In the Poughkeepsie Division of the SDNY, where I practice, for a Chapter13 Plan to be confirmed it must provide for a monthly payment of at least $50 to $75. Your payment may have to be greater, in order to comply with the hypothetical liquidation analysis prong of the requirements for... View More

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6 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Filed ch7 bankruptcy 5 yrs ago. Need to file again. Unsecured debt only, under median income no disposable income.

My chapter 7 filed and discharged 5 years ago. My income is under the median income for my state. I have no non exempt assets and only have unsecured non priority debt. I have very little disposable income. Is chapter 13 an option? Would I be able to propose to pay 0.00 to unsecured claims?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

Given your current financial situation with little to no disposable income and unsecured non-priority debt, it might be possible for you to propose a Chapter 13 plan with low or possibly even zero payments to unsecured creditors, although the feasibility of such a plan will ultimately be determined... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Michigan on
Q: I am nearing the end of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I need to convert to Chapter 7, however since I am behind on my payment

I do not have the funds to catch up on the amount that I am behind on the payments. I also am unable to convert because my lawyer says that I must pay her $3000 to do that. I also have no money to pay the $3000. What (if anything) can I do to salvage my case? My case is set to close at the end of... View More

Ralph Reisinger
Ralph Reisinger
answered on Aug 16, 2023

For starters make sure you can convert. If you own your home the house value may have gone up substantially and a conversion may not be possible. If you can convert, shop around, you can always substitute attorney's and there may be someone who can help you for less than the quoted amount.

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Michigan on
Q: I am nearing the end of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I need to convert to Chapter 7, however since I am behind on my payment

I do not have the funds to catch up on the amount that I am behind on the payments. I also am unable to convert because my lawyer says that I must pay her $3000 to do that. I also have no money to pay the $3000. What (if anything) can I do to salvage my case? My case is set to close at the end of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

In your difficult situation, it might be beneficial to negotiate a reduced fee with your current attorney or seek out a more affordable attorney to assist you in converting your case from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7. Additionally, you might consider contacting a legal aid organization in California for... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for New Jersey on
Q: What are my options when sued by a credit card company for not paying my debt?

debt is $17k. It is my debt, but thought it was included in my debt modification loan with my other credit cards

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Aug 16, 2023

To be frank, it strains credulity that you, and/or they, could have overlooked a $17K debt in your restructure.

And while I generally agree with my colleagues who have previously submitted answers that it's always wise to consult experienced counsel BEFORE you jump into something,...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Alabama on
Q: Can me and my husband file bankruptcy together. Even though I have not legal change my name
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

Yes, you and your husband can file for bankruptcy jointly even if you have not legally changed your name after marriage. When you file, you will use your legal names as they appear on your government-issued IDs to ensure there are no discrepancies in the official records. It is essential to provide... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Employment Law for New York on
Q: A startup declared bankruptcy when it was time to pay me and 14 interns, what can we do?

Initially, my 13 coworkers and I signed a contract which specified that we were interns for this startup. We signed 1099 forms. Later, before the start of the internship, we signed an amendment that said we would receive 100% of our salary at the end of the internship.

Throughout our... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Aug 15, 2023

They could be. Yes. You need to file a proof of claim for the wages in the bankruptcy. You should also consult a bankruptcy lawyer regarding a possible adversarial proceeding based on fraud that you might file against the company within the bankruptcy.

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Employment Law for New York on
Q: A startup declared bankruptcy when it was time to pay me and 14 interns, what can we do?

Initially, my 13 coworkers and I signed a contract which specified that we were interns for this startup. We signed 1099 forms. Later, before the start of the internship, we signed an amendment that said we would receive 100% of our salary at the end of the internship.

Throughout our... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 15, 2023

File a claim with the New York State Department of Labor. Non-payment of wages is the responsibility of the owner, if the company does not pay. File a proof of claim in the bankruptcy. As to a labor lawyer, these kinds of cases are usually on contingency, so talk to labor lawyers that do wage... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Employment Law for New York on
Q: A startup declared bankruptcy when it was time to pay me and 14 interns, what can we do?

Initially, my 13 coworkers and I signed a contract which specified that we were interns for this startup. We signed 1099 forms. Later, before the start of the internship, we signed an amendment that said we would receive 100% of our salary at the end of the internship.

Throughout our... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Aug 15, 2023

Did the company file Chapter 11 or 7? Wages are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. There maybe an eliment of fraud here so you may want to file an adversarial proceeding. An employment lawyer may not be well versed in bankruptcy law. You should seek out counsel experienced in adversarial... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Employment Law for New York on
Q: A startup declared bankruptcy when it was time to pay me and 14 interns, what can we do?

Initially, my 13 coworkers and I signed a contract which specified that we were interns for this startup. We signed 1099 forms. Later, before the start of the internship, we signed an amendment that said we would receive 100% of our salary at the end of the internship.

Throughout our... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about the challenging situation you and your fellow interns are experiencing. In a bankruptcy case, wages owed to employees are often treated as priority unsecured debts, which means they are among the first debts to be paid, albeit potentially only partially, from the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Banking and Collections for Michigan on
Q: What type of lawyer do I need for my issue?

So the situation is I have a credit card that I got behind on and was being bombarded with 2-3 calls a day on average totaling way more than the reasonable amount allowed. Everytime I would try and awnser to request they stop I would get dead air then disconnected leading me to believe they are... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

You may consider reaching out to an attorney who focuses on consumer rights or consumer protection law to handle this matter. They can assist in assessing whether the collection practices violate the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and help you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: In FL, is money judgment lien filed against property by creditor 1 day after debtor filed ch 13 bankruptcy still valid?

Creditor was unaware of bankruptcy filing and submitted certified judgment document with the state one week prior to debtor's filing. State of FL shows date submitted as prior to bankruptcy filing but official filing date with state and with the county where property is located are both 1 day... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

When a debtor files for bankruptcy, an automatic stay is typically activated, which temporarily halts creditors from pursuing debt collection, including establishing liens on the debtor’s assets. In this case, given that the lien was officially filed after the initiation of the bankruptcy... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Is there anyway I can keep my car?

I'm on SSDI, and having trouble paying my car payments (I got the car when I was still working).

I'm disabled and reley on my car for everything! Every/many reasons!

Robert P. Taylor
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answered on Aug 14, 2023

You can file bankruptcy and possibley keep the car, but you'll still have to pay for it. If you have other debts, filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy may allow you to wipe them out, freeing more resources to make your car payment. Also, in a Chapter 7, you may be able to "redeem" your... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Is there anyway I can keep my car?

I'm on SSDI, and having trouble paying my car payments (I got the car when I was still working).

I'm disabled and reley on my car for everything! Every/many reasons!

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 15, 2023

If you're struggling to make car payments due to your disability and rely on the car for essential needs, you might explore options such as negotiating with your lender for modified payment terms, refinancing the car loan, or seeking financial assistance programs. California law doesn't... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Alabama on
Q: Filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and discharged in 2014, liens from creditors that are all older than 10 years still exist.

My ex-husband and I filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Alabama and had it discharged in 2014, and then bought the property back in foreclosure from a different company. The liens from creditors, which were all from business loans that used the house and property for collateral before the bankruptcy and... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Aug 14, 2023

While unsecured general claims are discharged in a Ch. 7 bankruptcy, any claims with collateral where that lien is "perfected" by filing (in accordance with state law) are not discharged, and the lien survives with the claim. (Decades ago, Justice Thomas wrote the majority opinion for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Alabama on
Q: Filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and discharged in 2014, liens from creditors that are all older than 10 years still exist.

My ex-husband and I filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Alabama and had it discharged in 2014, and then bought the property back in foreclosure from a different company. The liens from creditors, which were all from business loans that used the house and property for collateral before the bankruptcy and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

After a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, while your personal liability for the debt is erased, liens on your property generally remain. However, since these liens are older than 10 years, you may have grounds to remove them by motioning the court, as liens often have a lifespan after which they... View More

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