What Can Bankruptcy Do for Me?
Bankruptcy may make it possible for you to:
Eliminate the legal obligation to pay most or all of your debts. This is called a “discharge” of debts. It is designed to give you a fresh financial start.
Stop foreclosure on your house or manufactured home and allow you an opportunity to catch up on missed payments. (Bankruptcy does not, however, automatically eliminate mortgages and other liens on your property without payment.)
Prevent repossession of a car or other property, or force the creditor to return property even after it has been repossessed.
Stop wage garnishment, debt collection harassment, and similar creditor actions to collect a debt.
Restore or prevent termination of utility service.
Allow you to challenge the claims of creditors who have committed fraud or who are otherwise trying to collect more than you really owe.
What Bankruptcy Cannot Do
Bankruptcy cannot, however, cure every financial problem. Nor is it the right step for every individual. In bankruptcy, it is usually not possible to:
Eliminate certain rights of “secured” creditors. A creditor is “secured” if it has taken a mortgage or other lien on property as collateral for a loan. Common examples are car loans and home mortgages. You can force secured creditors to take payments over time in the bankruptcy process and bankruptcy can eliminate your obligation to pay any additional money on the debt if you decide to give back the property. But you generally cannot keep secured property unless you continue to pay the debt.
Discharge types of debts singled out by the bankruptcy law for special treatment, such as child support, alimony, most student loans, court restitution orders, criminal fines, and most taxes.
Discharge debts that arise after bankruptcy has been filed.
Protect cosigners on your debts. When a relative or friend has cosigned a loan, and the consumer discharges the loan in bankruptcy, the cosigner may still have to repay all or part of the loan. Cosigners on some debts can be protected, however, if a chapter 13 bankruptcy is filed.
Michael Hollins is a Nashville Bankruptcy Attorney that files chapter 7 and chapter 13 petitions on behalf of individual debtors. We are the best debt relief agency aimed at giving our clients the best debt relief possible. Call today for your free consultation,
844-233-2837 or 629-777-5505.
DISCLAIMER:
This information is designed to provide only a general overview of the subject matter herein.This information is provided with the understanding that neither the publisher nor author is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss or damages, including but not limited to special, consequential, incidental or other damages, caused by the information contained herein.