Struggling with overwhelming debt? A bankruptcy lawyer can help you understand your options and get a fresh financial start. Explore guides on Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt discharge, and how bankruptcy affects your credit, assets, and future.
Most people assume that once they declare surrender in a bankruptcy plan, the lender takes the property and that is the end of it. The reality is more complicated. A creditor is not required to pick up surrendered items. When a lender refuses to foreclose or repossess, you can find yourself in an uncomfortable position…
Surrender in Chapter 13 bankruptcy means voluntarily giving secured property — a house, car, or other collateral — back to the lender as part of your repayment plan. You declare your intent to surrender the property, and the lender is prohibited from taking further collection measures as long as your plan payments are current and…
The biggest difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 is that with Chapter 7, things you own may be liquidated to repay creditors and you do not make a repayment plan. With Chapter 13, you keep your belongings and make a plan to repay debt over time. For most people, the decision comes down to…
There is no set limit on how many times you can file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, waiting periods apply if you have filed a bankruptcy petition before — and if you file too soon, you will not receive a discharge at the end of your case. The discharge — the legal elimination of remaining eligible…
You can file Chapter 13 bankruptcy with little to no money upfront by requesting an installment payment plan for the filing fee, rolling attorney fees into your repayment plan, or securing a pro bono attorney through your local Legal Services Corporation. None of these paths are widely advertised — but they are real, court-approved options…
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a legal process under federal bankruptcy law that lets individuals repay all or part of their debts over time through a court-approved plan. Instead of wiping out debts quickly, it gives you time to catch up on overdue payments while keeping important property like a home or car. If you want…
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a legal process under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that lets individuals with regular income repay all or part of their debts over three to five years — without giving up their property. It is sometimes called the “wage earner’s plan.” It is the option people choose when they want to catch…
Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts in 3–6 months through a court-supervised liquidation process under 11 U.S.C. Chapter 7, while Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you keep your property and catch up on missed payments through a court-approved 3–5 year repayment plan under 11 U.S.C. Chapter 13. The biggest difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter…
You can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy with no money by applying to waive the $338 court filing fee, seeking free legal help through legal aid or pro bono attorneys, and requesting reduced or waived fees for required credit counseling — all under federal law. In many cases, you can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy with little…