Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows a person to consolidate the debt while making convenient monthly payments to a trustee. A payment plan is proposed which repays the debt over a three to five year period. The amount of the monthly payment and the length of the repayment plan is based upon the following factors:
Secured debts are paid 100% on the dollar, while unsecured debts may be paid less than 100% on the dollar. A person receives a discharge under Chapter 13 once the payment plan is completed.
One very important thing to remember about Chapter 13 bankruptcy is that you must be working or have a consistent source of income for your repayment plan to be approved by the court. Not only must you be able to pay for your monthly living expenses, but you must also be able to make a payment to the court to consolidate your debts.
Debts that are generally consolidated in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy are mortgage arrears, balances on vehicle loans, student loans, credit card debts and other unsecured debts. All outstanding debts must be included in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy consolidation.
Stop Foreclosure Immediately If your home is presently in foreclosure, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing will stop the foreclosure any time prior to the sale, and allow you to repay your mortgage arrears through your Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You will still be obligated to make all future mortgage payments directly to the mortgage company, but they may not foreclose to collect any outstanding mortgage payments.
If the "repo" man is looking for your car, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will also stop the finance company from repossessing your car. The past due payments and the entire balance on your vehicle loan will be consolidated, which you will pay off over the next three to five years. The vehicle finance company can no longer repossess your car, and you will no longer have to make a payment directly to the finance company. Only one payment is made, and that is to the Chapter 13 trustee. Under certain circumstances we can even recover your vehicle after repossession and consolidate the remaining balance. If your car is worth less than what is owed on it, we can sometimes do a principle balance reduction on your car, RV, motorcycles etc.
Although you may not eliminate student loans in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can consolidate them, with your other bills, in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and stop collection action against you. We will stop the collection action and garnishments related to student loan debts and consolidate your bills so that you may repay them in a plan that is feasible for you.
Your cosigners receive the same protection that you receive under Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, we will protect your cosigners from collection activity, and the creditors must wait to be paid. So, if you friend or relative cosigned on your vehicle, and you are having trouble affording the payments, we can put your remaining balance inside a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Anthony Hughes - Attorney
(916) 485-1111
1395 garden highway ste. 150
Sacramento, CA 95833

