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Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: Question about automatic stay protection and filing in the last year

I filed for Chapter 13 last year, but did not complete the petition. It was dismissed more than 365 days ago. But the filing was in 2018. If I file again, will the automatic stay apply? The last petition was dismissed in May 2018 and we would be filing again November 2019. I am planning to... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Nov 15, 2019

An automatic stay will kick in when you file a second bankruptcy, but will only last 30 days from the date you file the new petition. Within that thirty days, you can file a motion to extend the stay for the duration of your case, which of course you should do. That motion must identify the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: How do I find my bankruptcy record? Is it available on line?

I am trying to find the list of items that were discharged by the bankruptcy.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Oct 31, 2019

Pacer.gov

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have to file for bankruptcy,where do I start
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 22, 2019

Contact a bankruptcy attorney or Legal Aid.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have to file for bankruptcy. Where do I start?

My husband passed away 4 months ago. I have high credit card debt and not enough income to make payments.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 15, 2019

If you choose to file for bankruptcy relief without a lawyer, here are the forms you will need to fill out and file-

https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.

You must first decide whether to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case. There are income limitations for Ch. 7...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I recently went to a lawyer and found out that back in 2011 filed for chapter 7 by a different lawyer.

First attorney was to refund me 5200.00 dollars. Never did. Second attorney can get that for me but I will only get 1000.00 back. He stated I need to pay taxes and excess charges. Is this legal? What should I do?

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 19, 2019

This question leaves a lot to the imagination. If your first BR lawyer never gave you $5,200 way back in 2011, why are you just now trying to recover it? Oh..wait; let me guess? So you can pay BR lawyer #2; right?

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I get extreme anxiety. I may need to file bankruptcy though. Is there any help for someone in my case?

I get extreme anxiety. It gets so bad that i get sick. I may need to file bankruptcy though. Is there any help for someone in my case where-for the majority of the conversations can be done via email?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jun 13, 2019

There would need to be at least one initial face-to-face meeting, just lawyer and client (this is my personal requirement, not a requirement of law). The remainder of our communications can be by email if you can scan documents and send to me, and then if you can p;rint and sign documents.... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: If a debt is included in chapter 13 bankruptcy, can it be sold to a collection agency
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on May 5, 2019

Yes, and it happens frequently. There are companies out there whose business is to handle/service accounts of others that are deemed "bad", or "uncollectible", etc. Transfers of claims are specifically authorized by the Bankruptcy Code, and also occur in Chapter 7, 11 and 12 cases.

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I filed chapter 13 in 2012. it was converted to chapter 7 in 2014. I have financial issues again and am exploring option

My expenses exceed income. I am looking at both chapter 13 and chapter 7 options. Did the clock start when i filed for the chapter 13 in 2012 or the conversion date to chapter 7 in 2014? At what time am I able to consider chap 13 or 7? My minimum payments are current but only because I am taking... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Apr 18, 2019

Interesting question.

Section 727 of the Bankruptcy Code provides--

(a)  The court shall grant the debtor a discharge, unless--

(8)  the debtor has been granted a discharge under this section, under section 1141 of this title, or under section 14, 371, or 476 of the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: i loaned a friend? $5,000 so he could bye a vehicle. he filed for bankruptsy and now says he no longer owes me

the money and there is no way for me to get my money back from him. is this true?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Apr 12, 2019

Unless you took a security interest in the debtor's real or personal property at the time you advanced the money, and "perfected" your lien by filing in the designated places (Registrar of deeds in county where real property is located, or Sec. of State of PA and/or county for UCC-1... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Collections and Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I lost a Civil Law suit with about 141k awarded to the other person. Can they come after my 401K to collect?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Mar 20, 2019

If your 401k is a "qualifying plan" (i.e., meets the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Tax Code), then your 401k plans should be exempt from execution.

Your judgment creditor may nonetheless attempt to levy on your 401(k) account, and you will need to file written objections...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I need to file bankruptcy but I sold my house 6 months ago, how long do I need to wait til file
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Feb 7, 2019

If you've sold your house for a "fair price", that is, for fair market value, in an arm's length transaction, then the sale of your house should have no impact on your decision about, or timing of, a bankruptcy filing.

You need to evaluate your current asset values and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Tax Law, Collections and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: PA-What's the Tax Penalty % for "Early W/Draw" of a Pension Plan? Also with "E W/D" can the IRS claim $ owed 4 yrs prior

My husband is currently disabled and we have had no income now for months. Until he can get any kind of help we have to pay to get our prior taxes done for his corporation (he no longer has - due to not being able to walk anymore); before we can do our personal taxes.

The only way to... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 30, 2019

The penalty varies from plan to plan. You can check with the plan administrator to determine exact amount. It is unlikely that the IRS is even aware of the pension plan, do very doubtful that they will be able to seize money.

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: Question about filing bankruptcy. I filed Chapter 13 in Nov 2012 for old IRS debt. Converted to Chapter 7 Nov 2014.

Discharged Feb 2015. I am considering filing Chapter 7 again. Is my waiting period based upon the original filing date of 2012 or the conversion date in 2014? At what point would I be eligible to file?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jan 15, 2019

The clock starts to run from the date your Order of Discharge was entered.

You cannot get another discharge for 8 years from that date.

The spacing, until recently, was six years between discharges, and it became common to file a "chapter 20" bankruptcy, meaning first, a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Social Security for Pennsylvania on
Q: I’m disabled & was thinking of claiming bankruptcy, but I’m not sure if it will effect my SSI. How will it effect me?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jan 11, 2019

There are different "chapters", or forms, of bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7, the simplest form, your income is only used to determine your eligibility to file under that chapter. If your income is below the "median income" for the state of PA, you'd have no income issues.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: How difficult is it to file bankruptcy for student loans? I have heard they do not count as a part of debt "forgiveness

I am seriously considering filing bankruptcy because my student loan payments are crippling and I cannot afford to pay them. I would be homeless and couldn't afford childcare or pretty much any other necessity. I have heard that filing for bankruptcy doesn't include student loans, but it... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jan 8, 2019

To discharge, or reduce, any student loan debt, you must show "extreme hardship", and that bar is very high.

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Family Law, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Could you please provide information on joining current class action lawsuit against Ocwen Loan Svc'g for Pennsylvania
Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Dec 7, 2018

No idea. I'd google it and see if you can locate the information about the particular lawsuit you're interested in. I tried but, not knowing why you believe you may be eligible to apply to join one of the several lawsuits out there, my ability to come up with any sort of suggestion was too limited.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am planning to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. My case is simple because I don't have a anything of value.

Is there a flat rate lawyers charge and do they allow payments?

Brad Jonathan Sadek
PREMIUM
Brad Jonathan Sadek
answered on Dec 6, 2018

Yes, in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, otherwise known as a "fresh start bankruptcy" our firm charges a flat rate fee. The flat rate is dependent on your specific situation. Our office offers a payment plan for legal fees prior to filing for all clients.

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: I got sued for something I never did. Discover sued me for 12k. Court preceding took place without my knowledge.

I was never given a notice and I am not aware of the 12k they are suing me for. I never took out that money or used it. What do I do?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Nov 30, 2018

Basic due process requires that in any litigation, the defendant must be served/provided (with proof of service) with the Complaint and Summons, whether in PA state or federal courts.

You should investigate, or have someone investigate, the validity of service of process in the Discover...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Pennsylvania on
Q: Filling chapter 7 to discharge 70K debts as an international student. Please advice?

I am a PhD Student on F1-Visa status. I have debts of 70K (Credit cards 50 K, Personal loans - 9K and Car loan- 11k) over the period of 5 years credit history with SSN. I lost money in stock trading over 140K last 3 years. Currently , I don't have any job and doing my PhD. Please advise how to... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Oct 25, 2018

You really need a competent bankruptcy lawyer to help you file. Filing should not affect your immigration status.

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