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Florida Bankruptcy Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Us auto filled march 7 bankrupt and they stole from me and a lot of people.

I bought a 2k warranty that was a 3 year warranty. I called the company they told me us auto never bought anyone any warranty’s they just pocketed our money. I paid for this car to build my credit now I have to deal with a new “debt collector “ that dose not report payments…. There’s a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

If you suspect fraud or that the company failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, you should immediately seek legal counsel to discuss your options, which may include filing a claim in the bankruptcy proceedings.

You should also check the court docket for the bankruptcy case to see...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: I have a straightforward chapter 7 bankruptcy case that I want to file. The one complicated thing is that my mothers pen

My mothers pension check is auto deposited into my checking account and I use that to pay her assisted living home and her prescriptions store. I don’t know if I need to put that as income because it’s in my account or if i Can leave it off the financials.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

When filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must disclose all sources of income, including money that passes through your accounts, even if it is not technically your income. It's important to explain the nature of these deposits on your bankruptcy forms; you can note that this money is for your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: I have a straightforward chapter 7 bankruptcy case that I want to file. The one complicated thing is that my mothers pen

My mothers pension check is auto deposited into my checking account and I use that to pay her assisted living home and her prescriptions store. I don’t know if I need to put that as income because it’s in my account or if i Can leave it off the financials.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 13, 2023

When you file for bankruptcy relief, you must answer all the questions in the several Official Forms, *under penalty of perjury*.

As it lies, you have a doable debt/asset issue; BUT, if you "leave it off", you will be committing perjury, probably several counts thereof, and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Husband filed bankruptcy and included our home mortgage in it. I was awarded house. What can he do to remove it

Husband filed bankruptcy right before our divorce and included our home mortgage in it. I was awarded house in divorce. He has to remove the home mortgage from his bankruptcy so I can refinance the home in my name. U.S. Bankruptcy court processed it for release. Mortgage company still says it... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Oct 4, 2023

If the bankruptcy court has ordered the release and abandoned any interest in it, you should be able to present that paperwork to the mortgage company. If they won’t accept it, you need to find a new mortgage company.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: What are considered the key advantages and disadvantages of filing for Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy in the State of Florida
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 3, 2023

Chapter 7 advantages:

Most unsecured debts can be fully discharged.

The process is quicker than Chapter 13, often completed within months.

There's no requirement to repay debts.

Chapter 7 disadvantages:

You may have to liquidate certain assets to repay...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Business Law for Florida on
Q: If you have a business and refinanced a vehicle loan for your business using your mortgage, can you file bankruptcy?

We used our mortgage to help refinance our business vehicle. We may need to file bankruptcy for the business. Will it hurt our mortgage loan?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 14, 2023

Filing bankruptcy for your business should not directly impact your mortgage loan, as they are typically separate legal entities. However, it's essential to consult with a bankruptcy attorney to evaluate your specific situation and consider any potential implications on your personal assets,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Business Law for Florida on
Q: If you have a business and refinanced a vehicle loan for your business using your mortgage, can you file bankruptcy?

We used our mortgage to help refinance our business vehicle. We may need to file bankruptcy for the business. Will it hurt our mortgage loan?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 13, 2023

The answer mostly depends upon the type of *legal*entity that you've put the business into. A corporation, LLC, etc., is eligible to file a bankruptcy itself, as is a partnership. A sole proprietorship, however, is not a separate legal entity, and a bankruptcy of it will necessarily bring... 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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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Where can I obtain information on what was discharged with my bankruptcy?

I am currently in graduate school and my school is requesting I obtain legal information regarding if my student loans were or were not discharged. I did my bankruptcy pro se so I don't have a lawyer. The bankruptcy officially discharged today and although I know it is rare for student loans... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Aug 4, 2023

In every bankruptcy case I've done, the Order of Discharge is a brief form, and basically says that the debtor is discharged from liability for all dischargeable debts, without listing any of those debts specificallyl

It's up to you, and your lawyer, and the creditor, and its...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Where can I obtain information on what was discharged with my bankruptcy?

I am currently in graduate school and my school is requesting I obtain legal information regarding if my student loans were or were not discharged. I did my bankruptcy pro se so I don't have a lawyer. The bankruptcy officially discharged today and although I know it is rare for student loans... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 4, 2023

You should have received a copy of your discharge papers from the bankruptcy court after your case was completed. If you don't have a physical copy, you can request one from the bankruptcy court where your case was filed. You can also access electronic copies of your bankruptcy documents... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Banking for Florida on
Q: Is it possible to take out a loan from a bank when one of your direct family members is already in debt?

A friend of mine is in college and she tried to get a loan to pay for college, but apparently because her mother is in debt, she isn't able to get a loan.

Edit; this person is 21, She tried to take out a loan originally but they claimed that since her direct family member (her... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jul 18, 2023

I agree with Ms. Lipan's short take, but there's more, of course.

Your question raises a plenitude of issues, most of them not questions of law:

With almost all of the nation's banks attempting to beef up their respective capital coffers, and the Fed causing not just...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Can my Corporate vehicles be effected (repo) if there is a default on our corporate credit cards?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jun 27, 2023

Your best answer to that question starts with the wording, particularly the default provisions, of your Security Agreements with each lender. Often, one of the provisions enables the secured lender to declare a default and accelerate the debt "if/when the lender feels insecure". A... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Estate Planning and Collections for Florida on
Q: 2006 Judgment Still an Issue--New Developments

01/2003 A credit card debt was acquired by Sarasota CCM and they obtained a judgment in in Illinois.

01/2009 I moved to Florida and three years later they registered the judgment in Florida.

09/2000 They garnished a checking account.

No communication from them between... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on May 26, 2023

Three options (other than paying in full): 1. Attempt to settle up, such as by offering X cents on the dollar and/or paying in monthly installments over X number of years; 2. File for bankruptcy if eligible (consult a bankruptcy attorney); 3. Determine if you are judgment-proof and can just let... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: My bankruptcy attorney name now appears on my mortgage bill. Why?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on May 7, 2023

It's pretty common practice for creditors, including secured creditors, to be reluctant to send any Statement showing balance due to a debtor; sending the invoice to debtor's counsel probably avoids a contempt citation.

In addition, it is common for debtor's counsel to alert...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: Can I convert a Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7 before the meeting of the creditors? I can’t make my first payment.

My attorney’s paralegal told me that I do not qualify for Chapter 7, but I’m in dire financial straits. Worse than when I filed, and need to do the conversion. She told me that the Trustee will more than likely dismiss the case.

Matthew J. Sherman
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answered on Apr 17, 2023

A debtor may convert a chapter 13 case to a chapter 7 liquidation case, at any time. The right to convert to chapter 7 is unqualified and may not be waived. However, a case cannot be converted to a chapter for which a debtor is ineligible. Therefore, a debtor converting from chapter 13 to chapter 7... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can a quit claim deed still be filed after home being discharged in Bankruptcy?

My mother is looking to add me on the deed to her home using a quit claim deed. I am currently living in the home and making payments. However she filed bankruptcy a few years ago and the home was discharged, so she is no longer financially responsible for the home. I read somewhere that if she... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Mar 28, 2023

There are several issues to address here: 1) Even though your mother filed bankruptcy, the house may still be subject to the mortgage unless the balance of the loan has been paid in full. While a bankruptcy discharges the financial obligation to pay a mortgage, it does not remove the mortgage from... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can a quit claim deed still be filed after home being discharged in Bankruptcy?

My mother is looking to add me on the deed to her home using a quit claim deed. I am currently living in the home and making payments. However she filed bankruptcy a few years ago and the home was discharged, so she is no longer financially responsible for the home. I read somewhere that if she... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Mar 28, 2023

It is highly likely the creditor could demand payment in full once the deed is recorded. See a real estate lawyer to discuss the possibilities and to prepare a proper deed if one is advisable. Quitclaim deeds cause more problems then they solve. You should consult a real estate lawyer who is also... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can Civil Case Contempt affected by Bankruptcy filing?

UPDATE: I can't find where to respond to answers, so I will try to clarify better. There was a court order to both parties in the case to cease all public/private communications about the other in all forms, directly or indirectly, during active litigation. In the meantime, defendant filed... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 17, 2023

I agree with Mr. Nachbar's answer as a potential strategy, but your issue depends on what the party was held on contempt for and of course whether you are a listed creditor in the bankruptcy case. If the only reason for the contempt is failure to comply with post-judgment (collection)... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: i filed chapter 13 in FL. didn't know i have to give back my tax return. can i get a medical exception?

i do not have 100% going to unsecured debt most of this goes to student loans. do i have any recourse to keep my refund? thank you. if i do not get an exemption, how will they collect the return? wage garnishment? thank you.

Cristina M. Lipan
Cristina M. Lipan
answered on Mar 1, 2023

There's no medical exception. The exemptions are statutory and you might be able to exempt your return, or perhaps part of it. The federal exemptions provide $13,950 as a wildcard exemption, you can use it for anything. But it depends what other assets you might have that you need to exempt.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Florida on
Q: What state offers offers better asset protection for personal vehicles under Chapter 7 bankruptcy law - FLorida or NC?

I'm filing for bankruptcy due to excessive credit card. Does it makes better sense to file here in Florida where I'm currently staying to help an elderly relative or my primary state of residency, North Carolina. Specifically, which state offers better asset protection for personal... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2023

The bankruptcy laws in Florida and North Carolina both provide certain exemptions for personal property, including vehicles, which can protect them from being sold to pay off creditors. However, the specific rules and exemptions may vary depending on the state.

In Florida, personal vehicles...
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