Texas
Bankruptcy
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF SERVICES
& LEGAL NOTICES ("THIS AGREEMENT") CAREFULLY BEFORE USING
THE VANHEMELRIJCK LAW OFFICES WEBSITE.
DISCLOSURES REQUIRED UNDER
SECTION 527 AND 342 OF THE BANKRUPTCY ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION ACT OF 2005.
AFTER READING THE TERMS CLICK THE LEARN MORE LINK
BELOW.
NOTICE NO. 1
Notice Mandated By Section
342(b)(1) and 527(a)(1) Of The Bankruptcy Code PURPOSES, BENEFITS AND
COSTS OF BANKRUPTCY
The United States Constitution
provides a method whereby individuals, burdened by excessive debt, can
obtain a "fresh start" and pursue productive lives unimpaired
by past financial problems. It is an important alternative for persons
strapped with more debt and stress than they can handle. The federal
bankruptcy laws were enacted to provide good, honest, hard-working debtors
with a fresh start and to establish a ranking and equity among all the
creditors clamoring for the debtor's limited resources. Bankruptcy helps
people avoid the kind of permanent discouragement that can prevent them
from ever re-establishing themselves as hard-working members of society.
To the extent that there may be money or property available for distribution
to creditors, creditors are ranked to make sure that money or property
is fairly distributed according to established rules as to which creditors
get what. This discussion is intended only as a brief overview of the
types of bankruptcy filings and of what a bankruptcy filing can and
cannot do. No one should base their decision as to whether or not to
file bankruptcy solely on this information. Bankruptcy law is complex,
and there are many considerations that must be taken into account in
making the determination whether or not to file. Anyone considering
bankruptcy is encouraged to make no decision about bankruptcy without
seeking the advice and assistance of an experienced attorney who practices
nothing but bankruptcy law.
Types of Bankruptcy
The Bankruptcy Code is divided into chapters. The chapters which almost
always apply to consumer debtors are chapter 7, known as a "straight
bankruptcy", and chapter 13, which involves an affordable plan
of repayment. An important feature applicable to all types of bankruptcy
filings is the automatic stay. The automatic stay means that the mere
request for bankruptcy protection automatically stops and brings to
a grinding halt most lawsuits, repossessions, foreclosures, evictions,
garnishments, attachments, utility shut-offs, and debt collection harassment.
It offers debtors a breathing spell by giving the debtor and the trustee
assigned to the case time to review the situation and develop an appropriate
plan. In most circumstances, creditors cannot take any further action
against the debtor or the property without permission from the bankruptcy
court.
Chapter 7
In a chapter 7 case, the bankruptcy court appoints a trustee to examine
the debtor's assets to determine if there are any assets not protected
by available "exemptions". Exemptions are laws that allow
a debtor to keep, and not part with, certain types and amounts of money
and property. For example, exemption laws allows a debtor to protect
a certain amount of equity in the debtor's residence, motor vehicle,
household goods, life insurance, health aids, retirement plans, specified
future earnings such as social security benefits, child support, and
alimony, and certain other types of personal property. If there is any
non-exempt property, it is the Trustee's job to sell it and to distribute
the proceeds among the unsecured creditors. Although a liquidation case
can rarely help with secured debt (the secured creditor still has the
right to repossess the collateral if the debtor falls behind in the
monthly payments), the debtor will be discharged from the legal obligation
to pay unsecured debts such as credit card debts, medical bills and
utility arrearages. However, certain types of unsecured debt are allowed
special treatment and cannot be discharged. These include some student
loans, alimony, child support, criminal fines, and some taxes. Additional
information about chapter 7 is available at the Site. In addition to
attorney fees, there is a filing fee that must be paid to the Bankruptcy
Court.
Chapter 13
In a chapter 13 case, the debtor puts forward a plan, following the
rules set forth in the bankruptcy laws, to repay certain creditors over
a period of time, usually from future income. A chapter 13 case may
be advantageous in that the debtor is allowed to get caught up on mortgages
or car loans without the threat of foreclosure or repossession, and
is allowed to keep both exempt and nonexempt property. The debtor's
plan is a document outlining to the bankruptcy court how the debtor
proposes to dispose of the claims of the debtor's creditors. The debtor's
property is protected from seizure from creditors, including mortgage
and other lien holders, as long as the proposed payments are made and
necessary insurance coverages remain in place. The plan generally requires
monthly payments to the bankruptcy trustee over a period of three to
five years. Arrangements can be made to have these payments made automatically
through payroll deductions. Additional information about chapter 13
is available at the Site. In addition to attorney fees, there is a filing
fee that must be paid to the Bankruptcy Court.
Chapter 11
By and large, chapter 11 is
a type of bankruptcy reserved for large corporate reorganizations. Chapter
11 shares many of the qualities of a chapter 13, but tends to involve
much more complexity on a much larger scale. However, since chapter
11 does not usually pertain to individuals whose debts are primarily
consumer debts, further information about chapter 11 will be provided
by reference to the following resource: The Bankruptcy Basics brochure
prepared by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, dated
June 2000, and which can be accessed over the internet by visiting the
following website: www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts.html.
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code was enacted by Congress in 1986, specifically
to meet the needs of financially distressed family farmers. The primary
purpose of this legislation was to give family farmers facing bankruptcy
a chance to reorganize their debts and keep their farms. However, as
with chapter 11, since chapter 12 does not usually pertain to individuals
whose debts are primarily consumer debts, further information about
chapter 12 will be provided by reference to the same "Bankruptcy
Basics" brochure referred to above, which can be accessed over
the internet at the same said website as mentioned for chapter 11.
What Bankruptcy Can and Cannot Do:
Bankruptcy may make it possible
for financially distressed individuals to:
1. Discharge liability for most or all of their debts and get a fresh
start. When the debt is discharged, the debtor has no further legal
obligation to pay the debt.
2. Stop foreclosure actions on their home and allow them an opportunity
to catch up on missed payments.
3. Prevent repossession of a car or other property, or force the creditor
to return property even after it has been repossessed.
4. Stop wage garnishment and other debt collection harassment, and give
the individual some breathing room.
5. Restore or prevent termination of certain types of utility service.
6. Lower the monthly payments and interest rates on debts, including
secured debts such as car loans.
7. Allow debtors an opportunity to challenge the claims of certain creditors
who have committed fraud or who are otherwise seeking to collect more
than they are legally entitled to.
Bankruptcy, however, cannot cure every financial problem. It is usually
not possible to:
1. Eliminate certain rights of secured creditors. Although a debtor
can force secured creditors to take payments over time in the bankruptcy
process, a debtor generally cannot keep the collateral unless the debtor
continues to pay the debt.
2. Discharge types of debts singled out by the federal bankruptcy statutes
for special treatment, such as child support, alimony, student loans,
certain court ordered payments, criminal fines, and some taxes.
3. Protect all cosigners on their debts. If relative or friend co-signed
a loan which the debtor discharged in bankruptcy, the cosigner may still
be obligated to repay whatever part of the loan not paid during the
pendency of the bankruptcy case.
4. Discharge debts that are incurred after bankruptcy has been filed.
Bankruptcy's Effect on Your Credit
By federal law, a bankruptcy can remain part of a debtor's credit history
for 10 years. Whether or not the debtor will be granted credit in the
future is unpredictable, and probably depends, to a certain extent,
on what good things the debtor does in the nature of keeping a job,
saving money, making timely payments on secured debts, etc.
Services Available From Credit Counseling Agencies
If you're not disciplined enough to create a workable budget and stick
to it, can't work out a repayment plan with your creditors, can't keep
track of mounting bills, or need more help with your debts than can
be achieved by merely having a few of your unsecured creditors lower
your interest rates somewhat, it probably makes little sense to consider
contacting a credit counseling organization. If, on the other hand,
you meet all or most of those criteria, there are many non-profit credit
counseling organizations that will work with you to solve your financial
problems. But be aware that, just because an organization says it's
"nonprofit," there's no guarantee that its services are free,
affordable or even legitimate. Most credit counselors offer services
through local offices, the Internet, or on the telephone. If possible,
it probably best to find an organization that offers in-person counseling.
Many universities, military bases, credit unions, housing authorities,
and branches of the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service operate nonprofit
credit counseling programs. Your financial institution, local consumer
protection agency, and friends and family also may be good sources of
information and referrals. Reputable credit counseling organizations
can advise you on managing your money and debts, help you develop a
budget, and offer free educational materials and workshops. Their counselors
are certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and
debt management, and budgeting. Legitimate counselors will discuss your
entire financial situation with you, and help you develop a personalized
plan to solve your money problems. An initial counseling session typically
lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions.
If your financial problems
stem from too much debt or your inability to repay your debts, a credit
counseling agency may recommend that you enroll in what is knows as
a "debt management plan" or "DMP". A DMP alone is
not credit counseling, and DMPs are not for everyone. You should sign
up for one of these plans only after a certified credit counselor has
spent time thoroughly reviewing your financial situation, has offered
you customized advice on managing your money, and has analyzed your
budget to make sure that the proposed DMP is one you can afford. However,
remember that all organizations that promote DMP's fund themselves in
part through arrangements with the creditors involved, which are called
"fair share", so you have to be wary as to whose best interest
the counselor has in mind. Even if a DMP is not appropriate for you,
a reputable credit counseling organization still can help you create
a budget and teach you money management skills. In a DMP, you deposit
money each month with the credit counseling organization, which uses
your deposits to pay your unsecured debts, like your credit card bills
and medical bills, according to a payment schedule the counselor develops
with your creditors. Your creditors may agree to lower your interest
rates or waive certain fees, but it's always best to check with all
your creditors, just to make sure they offer the concessions that a
credit counseling organization is promising you. A successful DMP requires
you to make regular, timely payments, and could take 48 months or more
to complete. Ask the credit counselor to estimate how long it will take
for you to complete the plan. You may have to agree not to apply for
C or use C any additional credit while you're participating in the plan,
and a DMP is likely of little value if your problems stem from or involve
your secured creditors holding your car, truck or home as collateral.
DMP's are also likely of little value if y our problems stem from alimony,
child support or overdue taxes. The bottom line is this: If all you
need is a little lowering of your interest rates on some unsecured debts,
a DMP might be the answer. However, if what you really need is to reduce
the amount of your debt, bankruptcy may be the solution.
NOTICE NO. 2
Notice Mandated By Section 527(a)(2) Of The Bankruptcy Code NOTICE OF
MANDATORY DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMERS WHO CONTEMPLATE FILING BANKRUPTCY
You are notified as follows:
1. All information that you are required to provide with the filing
of your case and thereafter, while your case is pending, must be complete,
accurate and truthful.
2. All your assets and all your liabilities must be completely and accurately
disclosed in the documents filed to commence your case.
3. Some sections of the Bankruptcy Code require you to determine and
list the replacement value of an asset such as a car or furniture. When
replacement value is required, it means the replacement value, established
after reasonable inquiry, as of the date of the filing of your bankruptcy
case, without deduction for costs of sales or marketing. With respect
to property acquired for personal, family or household purposes, replacement
value means the price a retail merchant would charge for "used"
property of that kind considering the age and condition of the property.
4. Before your case can be filed, it is subject to what is called "Means
Testing". The Means Test was designed to determine whether or not
you qualify to file a case under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, and
if not, how much you need to pay your unsecured creditors in a chapter
13 case. For purposes of means test, you must state, after reasonable
inquiry, your total current monthly income, the amount of all expenses
as specified and allowed pursuant to section 707(b)(2) of the bankruptcy
code, and if the plan is to file in a Chapter 13 case, you must state,
again after reasonable inquiry, your disposable income, as that term
is defined.
5. Information that you provide during your case may be audited pursuant
to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Your failure to provide complete,
accurate and truthful information may result in the dismissal of your
case or other sanctions, including criminal sanctions.
NOTICE NO. 3
Notice Mandated By Section 527(b) Of The Bankruptcy Code
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES
If you decide to seek bankruptcy relief, you can represent yourself,
you can hire an attorney to represent you, or you can get help in some
localities from a bankruptcy petition preparer who is not an attorney.
THE LAW REQUIRES AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER TO GIVE
YOU A WRITTEN CONTRACT SPECIFYING WHAT THE ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION
PREPARER WILL DO FOR YOU AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. Ask to see the contract
before you hire anyone. The following information helps you understand
what must be done in a routine bankruptcy case to help you evaluate
how much service you need. Although bankruptcy can be complex, many
cases are routine. Before filing a bankruptcy case, either you or your
attorney should analyze your eligibility for different forms of debt
relief available under the Bankruptcy Code and which form of relief
is most likely to be beneficial for you. Be sure you understand the
relief you can obtain and its limitations. To file a bankruptcy case,
documents called a Petition, Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs,
as well as in some cases a Statement of Intention need to be prepared
correctly and filed with the bankruptcy court. You will have to pay
a filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once your case starts, you will
have to attend the required first meeting of creditors where you may
be questioned by a court official called a >trustee= and by creditors.
If you choose to file a chapter 7 case, you may be asked by a creditor
to reaffirm a debt. You may want help deciding whether to do so. A creditor
is not permitted to coerce you into reaffirming your debts. It may not
be in your best interest to reaffirm a debt. If you choose to file a
chapter 13 case in which you repay your creditors what you can afford
over 3 to 5 years, you may also want help with preparing your chapter
13 plan and with the confirmation hearing on your plan which, if held,
will be before a bankruptcy judge. If you select another type of relief
under the Bankruptcy Code other than chapter 7 or chapter 13, you will
want to find out what should be done from someone familiar with that
type of relief. However, please be advised that in most cases, you will
only be concerned with chapter 7 and chapter 13. Your bankruptcy case
may also involve litigation. You are generally permitted to represent
yourself in litigation in bankruptcy court, but only attorneys, not
bankruptcy petition preparers, can give you legal advice.
NOTICE NO. 4
Notice Mandated By Section 342(b)(2) Of The Bankruptcy Code FRAUD &
CONCEALMENT PROHIBITED
If you decide to file bankruptcy, it is important that you understand
the following:
1. Some or all of the information you provide in connection with your
bankruptcy will be filed with the bankruptcy court on forms or documents
that you will be required to sign and declare as true under penalty
of perjury.
2. A person who knowingly and fraudulently conceals assets or makes
a false oath or statement under penalty of perjury in connection with
a bankruptcy case shall be subject to fine, imprisonment, or both.
3. All information you provide in connection with your bankruptcy case
is subject to examination by the Attorney General.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF RECEIPT
By using the
Site and/or otherwise accepting this Agreement, you acknowledge that
you have received a copy of or been provided with access to all of the
following notices:
1. Notice Mandated By Section 342(b)(1) and 527(a)(1) Of The Bankruptcy
Code
2. Notice Mandated By Section 527(a)(2) Of The Bankruptcy Code
3. Notice Mandated By Section 527(b) Of The Bankruptcy Code
4. Notice Mandated By Section 342(b)(2) Of The Bankruptcy Code
Click to Learn More about Bankruptcy under Chapter
7 and 13.