The Benefits Of Chapter 13 Repaying 100% To All Creditors

Chapter 13 Video

Often individuals with a heavy debt load want to file Chapter 7 but find out they can’t. There is a Means Test. Many middle-income folks are “high earners” in Bankruptcy Land.

What  this means is the income in the family exceeds certain thresholds. I  have a blog that explains the Means Test in greater detail.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO IF

  1. a lot of debt; and
  2. income above the threshold?

I often talk to good folks with situation frequently. And, we discuss what happening in their life.

They tell me they are juggling their debts. Stealing from Peter to pay Paul and the next month stealing from Paul to pay Peter.

They  have collection calls and letter; threats of lawsuits; and sometimes  actual lawsuits. Threats of garnishments; tax levies; worry about car  repossession and home foreclosure and on and on.

With  debts hanging over one head there is increased stress. Sometimes  creeping in one’s job’s performance. Lack of sleep. Fights with their  spouse.

SO, YOU ASK WHAT DOES CHAPTER 13 DO FOR ME, ESPECIALLY IF I HAVE TO PAY ALL THE DEBTS BACK?

  1. One monthly payment;
  2. Stops interest on unsecured debts;
  3. Give an option to include car loans or lets you pay direct;
  4. Includes any money owed to the IRS;
  5. Back mortgage payments, if any.
  6. Back child support payments, if any.
  7. Student loan debt can be suspended while in Chapter 13.
  8. You keep any income tax refund you might get.

REAL LIFE SITUATIONS

Married  woman with only one dependent. Family income over $110,000; no car nor  house. Spouse has only a small amount of debt and so she files alone.  You debts total about $90,000. The Chapter 13 payment is under $1,700  per month.

Currently, she pays a helluva lot more per month and the balance of debts keeps going up.

Single  Man; doesn’t own a home and no lien on his car; no children nor child  support; above the Means Test threshold. About $50,000 in debt. Monthly  payment in Chapter 13 about $1,100. He was paying a lot more with  threats of a Wage Garnishment.

Single  Mom; owns home with little equity; behind on her mortgage; threats of  foreclosure; one car with a balance of $14,000; unsecured debts of about  $30,000. Income above the Means Test even with mortgage and car  deductions. Chapter 13 payment under $1,000 per month and that includes her car.

WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

  1. Once payment per month; lower than what they were paying before;
  2. Debt balances going down; not up
  3. No juggling to pay this creditor or that one;
  4. No more collection letters;
  5. No more lawsuits;
  6. No Wage garnishments;
  7. No tax levies;
  8. Peace of mind;
  9. Light at the end of the tunnel.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  1. You can pay the Chapter 13 payment directly or have it deducted from your pay; the choice is yours.
  2. Many of our clients are able to finance a car after about one year.
  3. This article is limited to individuals that exceed the Means Test threshold.

Disclaimer: Blogs on legal matters are for information purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

For more information on The Means Test and your options call today.

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