Consumer Bankruptcy

Consumer bankruptcy is when someone owes consumer debt, typically a credit card debt. It usually involves Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and see the discussion about types of bankruptcies.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?

The choice of chapter depends on many factors individual to your situation, and is one of the most important reasons to get good legal advice from bankruptcy lawyers before filing. Which chapter is best depends on the nature of your debt and the nature and value of your assets.

In general, the choice of chapter is not yours to make but is governed by the “bankruptcy means test.” If your monthly overhead (mortgage or rent + insurance + taxes, etc.) exceeds your monthly net income, then you may qualify for a Chapter 7. If your monthly net income exceeds your monthly overhead, then you qualify for a Chapter 13. This still means you must now pass the means test.

CHAPTER 7

Many individuals file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but it’s not always your choice, as one must qualify. The consumer bankruptcy debtor receives a discharge of most unsecured debts within several months of filing the case. If the debtor’s income appears high enough to permit some repayment of debt, the trustee or the court may move to dismiss the case for “substantial abuse”. The theory is that to permit someone with the ability to repay to file Chapter 7 and avoid repayment abuses the bankruptcy system. This is termed “substantial abuse” – catch phrase with the U.S. Congress.

It is important to know what the legal form of the business is if your debt is mixed business and consumer. Corporations and partnerships can file Chapter 7 and Chapter 11; the choice depends on whether the business can be reorganized in Chapter 11 or will be liquidated in Chapter 7. Bankruptcy treats sole proprietorships as just one kind of asset of the individual who owns them. Consequently, the owner of a troubled business must file an individual bankruptcy, including all of his assets and liabilities, personal and business, to obtain bankruptcy court protection.

CHAPTER 13: the other consumer bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is for consumers who have positive cash flow or don’t pas the means test.  It’s frequently a better choice if you have debts that are not dischargeable in Chapter 7; if you are in default on mortgages and want to stop foreclosure… or car payments; if you have more property than can be exempted from creditors in Chapter 7; or if you owe taxes or other debts that are not dischargeable in Chapter 7.

To be eligible for Chapter 13, you must have regular income and debts below a certain level.

Consumer bankruptcy debtors choose to file a repayment plan under Chapter 13 when:

  • their current monthly income is higher than the median income for their state
  • debts aren’t dischargable in Chapter 7 ( such as taxes, child support, fraud judgments)
  • liens that are larger than the value of the assets securing the debt
  • they have years of unfiled taxes
  • behind on car or house payments
  • assets are worth more than the available exemptions.

Comparing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Follow the big button to read a good comparison between the bankruptcy chapters, and a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of each.

WHAT DEBTS CAN BE DISCHARGED IN BANKRUPTCY?

The scope of the discharge is different in each chapter. The Bankruptcy Code makes the Chapter 13 discharge more encompassing, to encourage individuals to use Chapter 13 to repay a portion of their debts.

Put most simply, most unsecured debt is dischargeable. Most secured debt survives bankruptcy as a charge on the property to which it attaches unless a court order modifies the lien.

More about the Types of Debt

wage garnishment

Wage Garnishment – I Found My Wages Garnished

Wage garnishment leaves you very little time to act before your paycheck gets hit. They can take up to 25% of your takehome pay, and you need to act fast.

Read More
credit card debt

Credit Card Debt and Bankruptcy

Credit card debt is the most common type of debt people like you have and carry. It is typically discharged in a bankruptcy, with a few exceptions.

Read More

Creditor Harassment

Creditor harassment is usually one of the biggest factors that can push someone to finally file bankruptcy, because once filed, you're protected immediately.

Read More

Bankruptcy House Information

Bankruptcy and your home. Houses can often be protected; other times bankruptcy can help you catch up on lates. Read more bankruptcy house info.

Read More

Car Repossession Law

Car repossession is one of the types of debt that filing bankruptcy helps with. Not the repo itself, but the aftermath with the deficiency balance.

Read More
student loans and bankruptcy

Student Loans & Bankruptcy: What to Know

Student loans and bankruptcy: Generally, student loans are not dischargeable under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. There are some ways it can help.

Read More
eliminate tax debt

Tax debt and bankruptcy

Tax debt and bankruptcy: can taxes get discharged in bankruptcy? Sometimes, and other times, you can get a payment plan to repay them and finally be free.

Read More

Lawsuits and Bankruptcy

Can bankruptcy stop a lawsuit? Once you've been hit with a lawsuit summons, it's time to understand the play between lawsuits, bankruptcy, and judgments.

Read More

Business Bankruptcy

What is a business bankruptcy, and can businesses even file bankruptcy? Yes, and it's where corporations or other entities file a case and obtain a discharge.

Read More