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North Carolina Bankruptcy Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for North Carolina on
Q: Am I liable for accounts I'm not a signer on? They are my husbands

Hubby has gotten in over his head with HIS credit cards. If he files BK or uses a credit relief plan am I liable for the debt also? I am NOT on the accounts in question. Thank you!

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on May 23, 2023

No. You are not liable if you were never on the account. Solely his debt.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for North Carolina on
Q: If my husband files BK or goes for debt relief, will it effect my credit score? I am not on the accounts.

My husband has gotten in over his head with his credit cards. Honestly I don't see a way out for him unless he files bankruptcy or engages a debt relief program. I am not on any of the accounts and I'm afraid my credit is going to be effected too.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on May 22, 2023

If you are not on the accounts, your credit should not be affected.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for North Carolina on
Q: If I am looking to file bankruptcy and I have military disability, and I was getting pay from voc rehab but not anymore

I do not receive the pay anymore just while I was in school. I completed my degree last month.

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on May 14, 2023

I'm not sure what your question is exactly, but VA disability pay does not count towards the "means test".Congress passed the "Haven Act" a few years ago. I hope this answered your question.

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: What should I expect when I go to the county sherrif office for a writ of execution? I have no money to pay the judgmen

Judgement. I live in NC. My house and car are exempt. I have no savings and nothing of value. I have no bank account. I receive paper checks. I am in no position to pay or to agree to a payment plan at this time.im not concerned with interest because i am debating on claiming bankruptcy in the... View More

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Mar 20, 2023

The answer depends upon whether or not you timely filed a Motion To Claim Exempt Property to claim the exemptions in your house and particularly in your car. If you did timely file that Motion, just speak to the Sheriff and explain your situation. Most likely, the Sheriff will just return the Writ... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for North Carolina on
Q: Renter and him filing bankruptcy

I started the eviction process on this renter. I am evicting because of breach of contract damage to home and trash.. he sent me papers today that he was in bankruptcy and I couldn’t sue for eviction any longer.. we are to go to court on Monday at the county court house but now I am thinking I... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Feb 15, 2023

When a bankruptcy case is filed, it triggers an "automatic stay" against any action to collect a debt against the debtor or his property.

For those who know, or should know, or constructively know, of the bankruptcy filing, and persist with collection efforts, even for possession...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for North Carolina on
Q: I have a large Federal Judgment that was placed against me in July of 2011. I have been making payments on this

judgment. I have a smaller judgment that was placed against me by an individual creditor in September of 2011. This judgment was renewed in 2021 on its 10 year anniversary. This creditor has not attempted any collections until now. I received a Notice of Right to Have Exemptions Designated.... View More

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Feb 13, 2023

The Federal judgment does not "supersede". You need to resond to the Notice of Right and claim your exemptions on time. The State court judgment creditor can have the Sheriff take any non exempt assets with a writ of execution. The two judgments are independent of the other. There are... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Child Support and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: A creditor has a summary judgement against me. I had a lawyer look over exemption paperwork. What's next?

I live in NC. House is fully protected by TBE. All assets are 100% fully protected. No wage garnishment in NC and I cash my paper check at a check cashing business. I deal in cash only. I have no bank account. I tried to negotiate with them before they sued and because they didn't work with... View More

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Nov 13, 2022

If the judgment is accruing post judgment interest, you may wish to consider filing bankruptcy or settling rather than waiting it out. Judgments are good for 10 years and are easily renewed for another 10 years. Your only dangers in waiting them out is that your assets may appreciate and become not... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: If I am ordered responsible for 50% of marital debt during a divorce, can I file bankruptcy if debt not in my name?

All debt in my wife’s name and we are divorcing. If I am responsible for 50% of marital debt and she is filing bankruptcy, how do I file for my half of the debt if it’s not in my name?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 19, 2022

I had this issue in a case in Oklahoma, involving a Colorado bankruptcy, and a Florida divorce.

Your divorce decree/property settlement agreement most probably allocates responsibility for the marital debts, and that is what includes you as a responsible party to the debt. But your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: I executed a new deed adding my wife in NC last year creating TBE. She is now being sued by Discover. Is the house safe?

The debt is only in her name.

Also,, She gets a paper check and has no bank account. I cash the check for her through my bank. We have very little equity in a jointly owned car. My major concern is the house but I think she is practically, "judgement proof."am I wrong? Thanks

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 15, 2022

North Carolina has long recognized the common law creation and enforcement of the tenancy by entirety concept. Here's a good UNC law review article tracing its history.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Bankruptcy for North Carolina on
Q: Is an HSA exempt from collections in NC?
Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Sep 12, 2022

There is no specific exemption for a health savings account under Federal or State law. North Carolina residents must use the $5,000.00 "wild card" exemption to cover HSA balances - assuming that the "wild card" is available. If a debtor uses up their $35,000.00 residential... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Need to cash a check that has my deceased husband and me on it. Bank won’t accept because it is more then$10,000.

The settlement came in my name but went through bankruptcy court to pay both our debts. The rest comes to me. But has both our names on it. Husband had no assets of value. Never opened probate estate I just pay his bills as they came in. Now what do I do

Cristina M. Lipan
Cristina M. Lipan
answered on Sep 12, 2022

It sounds like the check came from the bankruptcy trustee. Contact the trustee and ask to re-issue the check in your name only. Be prepared to submit the certificate of death for the Trustee's due diligence.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Bankruptcy for North Carolina on
Q: My car is collateral for a loan I have with one main financial company. Can I voluntarily surrender the car?
Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Jun 20, 2022

This will have a negative effect on your credit. You can try to voluntarily surrender the car. OneMain is NOT required to take the car in satisfaction of the loan. They can refuse to come pick up the car or take the car. They also don't have to release the lien on the title if they refuse to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Tax Law for North Carolina on
Q: In nc I owe state taxes and federal taxes back from 2016 & 2017 can I file bankruptcy for these back taxes and all my db
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on May 16, 2022

Certain types of taxes are dischargeable in bankruptcy, IF you have filed a tax return showing those taxes as due longer than two years and four months prior to the date you file for bankruptcy relief.

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: When being pursued for a debt outside of bankruptcy in NC, is the vehicle exemption doubled when married.

The vehicle is jointly owned with rights of survivorship.

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Apr 12, 2022

The debtor spouse can exempt (protect from creditors) up to $3,500.00 equity in one motor vehicle. For a jointly owned vehicle, you take retail value (not trade in), subtract any outstanding liens, and divide the remainder by two. If there is any "wild card" exemption remaining, up to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: If I received fair market value to execute a new deed adding wife, can the transfer be reversed as fraudulent in NC?

I dont want to claim bankruptcy and my only goal is to protect the house. I am being sued by an unsecured creditor. I executed a new deed a year ago and my wife gave me $12,500 out of her 401k for repairs. Can this be considered fraudelent by a judgement creditor? I believe this to be fair market... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 7, 2022

Nothing you said jumps out at me as fraudulent. You have the right to do exactly what you did.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: What is a creditor's next move after they get a judgement against me? I live in NC.

My house is protected by TBE. My wages are protected from garnishment. I bank in a Deleware only Bank. I have 2 jointly owned cars. One with a loan equal to the value. The other has equity but is equal to the amount protected by state law. I have hardly any possessions. Nothing worth anything.

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Apr 3, 2022

The next step is the creditor serving you with a "Notice of Right" to have your exemptions designated. Youw ill have 20 days after the date of service to file your "Motion To Claim Exempt Property" to claim your exemptions. There are no extensions of time allowed for this and if... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: Can a Trustee make you have your home appraised if you are filing bankruptcy but not including your home?

And can they (the Trustee) also have your home appraised?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Apr 1, 2022

When you complete your bankruptcy Schedules, which ask you to list every conceivable asset you have, and you sign them under penalty of perjury, it is not possible to "not include" your house.

A debtor's opinion of its value is generally admissible as proof of value, to be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: I added wife's name to deed in NC a year ago. Can an unsecured creditor of my wife attach a lien or sever TBE.
Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on Mar 30, 2022

Without reviewing the documents I cannot give a definitive answer, but as a general rule, a claim against only one party is ineffective against TBE in NC.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Real Estate Law, Probate and Small Claims for North Carolina on
Q: I executed a new deed adding my wife to the house. 7 months later I'm getting sued by a creditor. Was this fraudelent?

We live in NC. I never knew that tenants by the entirety existed until after we executed the deed. I added her name because I'm significantly older than her and thought it was probably a good idea. We were dating when I bought the house. We have had a joint bank account since before the... View More

Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on Feb 15, 2022

Without more information, I cannot give a definitive answer, but unless you had actual knowledge that the lawsuit was imminent you are likely okay.

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for North Carolina on
Q: Can I claim federal exemptions in chapter 7 bankruptcy?

I have lived in Charlotte NC for 22 months and plan to file in western district of North Caroline. Prior to Charlotte I lived in Vermont for 40 years. Vermont doesn't allow non-residents to use their bankruptcy exemptions.

Mike T. Ramsey
Mike T. Ramsey
answered on Jan 6, 2022

I would recommend getting an attorney to help you with your bankruptcy. There are many good lawyers in North Carolina. To answer your questions, though, Vermont exemptions would be applicable under 11 USC 522. My research shows that Vermont does allow nonresidents to use their exemptions but it... View More

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