The thought of filing for bankruptcy can be frightening to many people. The stress of limited finances and creditor harassment can cause some to make poor choices, but these choices may only worsen an already serious situation. The way to avoid making further mistakes is to contact a bankruptcy law attorney who knows the right steps to take at every juncture of the process.
Seattle and Kirkland, Washington, Bankruptcy Attorney
When Overwhelming Debt Demands New Solutions
Are you behind on debt payments? Do financial solutions and stability seem impossible, or years or even decades away? With the help of an experienced bankruptcy lawyer, Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection can provide debt-relief solutions in just several months.
How? Chapter 7 discharges unsecured debt by using the proceeds resulting from the sale of non-exempt property to pay off debt, often for pennies on the dollar. The result? Significantly reduced debt, and a fresh start. For more information, contact the Law Offices of Elizabeth Quick at 425-242-4037 or 888-332-2136.
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Do you have questions regarding Chapter 7 bankruptcy and your debt-relief options? Contact an attorney who began in bankruptcy law in 1990. Call 425-242-4037 or 888-332-2136.
For effective, friendly bankruptcy law legal help, contact an experienced bankruptcy lawyer and member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Call 425-242-4037 or 888-332-2136.
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act
On April 20, 2005, President Bush signed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), which instituted substantial changes to the Bankruptcy Code. Most provisions of BAPCPA became effective in October 2005. BAPCPA's provisions make it more difficult to file for Chapter 7 and impose many additional requirements on debtors in an effort to exclude debtors who can pay their creditors from Chapter 7. Under the amendments to Section 707(b), a bankruptcy case should be dismissed if the debtor is found to be "abusing" Chapter 7 relief. Prior to the BAPCPA, the word "substantially" was included immediately before "abuse" in the test. If you are considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and have questions about whether you will qualify, talk to a bankruptcy lawyer at Elizabeth Quick in Kirkland, Washington.
Chapter 7 Means Test
One of the most significant aspects of the new bankruptcy laws is the means test for individuals with primarily consumer debts who wish to file for Chapter 7. Under §108(8) of the Bankruptcy Code, a consumer debt is "primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose." If the debtor is above the threshold established by the means test, his or her Chapter 7 petition may be dismissed, or the case could be converted to a filing under Chapters 11 or 13, if the debtor consents.
If the debtor's current monthly income is less than the state median, the debtor automatically qualifies for Chapter 7. If the debtor's current monthly income is more than the state median income, the means test will be applied to determine if filing for Chapter 7 is presumptively abusive. This step is a bit tricky. If the debtor's projected disposable income, which is monthly income minus certain allowable expenses, over the next five years is less than $6,000 ($100/month), you are eligible to file under Chapter 7. However, if the debtor's current monthly income minus the allowable expenses and multiplied by 60 (the number of months for the next five years) is more than the lesser of (1) 25% of the debtor's non-priority unsecured claims in the case or $6,000, whichever is greater; or (2) $10,000, the court will presume that abuse exists. 11 U.S.C. §707(b)(2)(A)(i). If this is the case, the debtor will not be allowed to file for Chapter 7 unless he or she can show special circumstances.
Other Requirements for the Debtor
BAPCPA includes a number of additional requirements for a debtor seeking to file under Chapter 7. Individual debtors are now required to obtain an individual or group briefing from an approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency within 180 days of filing for bankruptcy. 11 U.S.C. §109(h). This briefing must, at a minimum, outline opportunities for available credit counseling and assist the debtor in performing a budget analysis. Another critical requirement is that prior to receiving a discharge, a Chapter 7 debtor must complete a personal financial management course. 11 U.S.C. §§ 111, 727(a)(11). Section 521(e) requires that debtors filing under either Chapter 7 or 13 provide a copy of their most recent tax return to the trustee before the meeting of creditors. The debtor must also provide a copy to any creditor that requests one. Finally, Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9011 requires that before a debtor submits documents to the court or a trustee, the debtor and his or her attorney must make a "reasonable inquiry to verify that the information contained in such document is (1) well grounded in fact, and (2) warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law."
Duties of the Trustee
There are also new, increased duties for the trustee. Under Sections 704(a)(10) and (c)(10), the trustee must advise a domestic support creditor in writing of the existence of and right to use support enforcement and collection agencies. The trustee must also provide notice of such claims to those agencies. If the debtor was serving as an administrator of an employee benefit plan at the time of filing, the trustee must perform the duties of an administrator. 11 U.S.C. §704(a)(11). If a debtor is a health care business, the trustee must use "all reasonable and best efforts" to transfer that business's patients to another such business in the same physical area that provides substantially similar services with a reasonable quality of care. 11 U.S.C. §704(a)(12). Finally, a trustee in a Chapter 7 case must ensure that the final reports are uniform.
Conclusion
Although BAPCPA has made it more difficult for individuals with consumer debt to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it is still possible, and the majority of debtors still qualify for Chapter 7 relief. An experienced bankruptcy attorney at Elizabeth Quick in Kirkland, Washington can determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 and help you navigate the requirements for filing.
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