Bankruptcy is available to distressed consumers and businesses, and gives them a way to repair their balance sheets amidst the challenging economic environment. The US witnessed a total of 34,447 bankruptcy filings in December 2023 alone, which was a 16 percent increase from total 29,654 filings in the month of December 2022. Bankruptcy courts in the country have seen a rise in filings post-pandemic, when many people lost their jobs and businesses plummeted. The US Bankruptcy Code is created to help all such individuals and businesses, and assist them with a fresh financial start when they are not in a position to repay their debts as agreed. Fresh financial start is made possible through affordable bankruptcy Houston TX, either by eliminating all or a portion of outstanding debts, stretching out the monthly payments under the supervision of a court-appointed trustee.
Chapter
7 bankruptcy is filed by most individuals who find it almost impossible to
repay their debts. Filing for affordable bankruptcy Houston TX though reputable
law firms like Recovery Law Group will ensure that your debts are eventually
wiped away. Moreover, the specialist bankruptcy lawyers will enforce automatic
stay, that will immediately stop most collection efforts by the creditors, and
provide you with much-needed peace of mind in times of financial distress.
There are absolute priority rules that stipulate the order in which debts are
to be repaid. Secured debts take precedence over unsecured debts. You will not
stand to lose everything under Chapter 7, there are certain exemptions, and
below will not be liquidated or sold even when you are declared bankrupt by the
federal court.
·
Home equity
·
clothing
·
Tools of trade
·
Pension and
retirement accounts
·
Household goods
·
Social security
benefits
·
Child support and
alimony
·
Jewelry
Means
Test for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
To
qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you need to pass the Means Test. For this,
your average monthly income for the past six months prior to filing for Chapter
7 bankruptcy should be less than the median income of the size of your family
in the state of Texas. However, if you fail to pass the Means Test, your
Recovery Law Group’s attorney providing you with affordable bankruptcy Houston
TX may suggest you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy instead. Also known as
reorganization bankruptcy, Chapter 13 calls for making monthly payments over a
period of three to five years, after which many outstanding debts are
erased.
Chapter
13 bankruptcy and the reorganization plan
Chapter
13 will shield you from lawsuits, wage garnishments, and other tactics of
creditors, and you will ultimately be freed of your debts, but certain
obligations like heirlooms, collectible stamps, cash, bonds, and stocks, and a
second vehicle or a second home cannot be discharged under Chapter 13. A
court-approved bankruptcy trustee will submit a plan wherein you will be
required to repay your outstanding debts over three to five years. The debts
will be repaid in the priority order of tax obligations, alimony, child
support, secured debts, and finally secured debts. All debt remaining after the
completion of repayment period will be written off or forgiven. For more
options on affordable bankruptcy Houston TX, please contact Recovery Law Group.
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