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Advantages of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Protection

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy AttorneysChapter 13 Bankruptcy Advantages

Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers immediate protection from collections, while also protecting your assets. This means everything from harassing collection calls to wage garnishments and home foreclosure must stop immediately when you file a Chapter 13 petition. At the same time, an individual filing Chapter 13 needn’t worry that any of her property, vehicles, or other assets will be taken away from her by a bankruptcy trustee as can happen in Chapter 7. This fact alone makes Chapter 13 bankruptcy less stressful for many filing bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides several distinct advantages over Chapter 7, including:

  • Debtors in Chapter 13 do not have to worry about a trustee liquidating their assets.
  • In some cases, an individual in Chapter 13 can lower the balance owed on a vehicle loan and lower the interest on her car payment.
  • Chapter 13 provides a payment plan that may allow homeowners to come current on delinquent mortgages.
  • Chapter 13 can allow for the stripping off of junior mortgage liens.
  • Chapter 13 can deal with tax debts by paying all or in some cases only a portion of delinquent taxes.
  • An individual filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy in San Jose will often pay less in up front attorney’s fees than in Chapter 7.
  • Unlike in Chapter 7, auto loan lenders cannot force Chapter 13 debtors to sign a reaffirmation agreement for their vehicle loan.

What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Plain and simple: Chapter 13 is a payment plan. Does that mean that an individual in Chapter 13 bankruptcy must pay all of his debts? No! Only certain types of debts must be paid in full. These include newer (“priority”) tax debts, arrears or delinquent mortgage payments, and arrears or delinquent child/spousal support payments. In general, these are the same types of debts that would not be discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

The great majority of consumer debts—like credit card balances, medical bills, unsecured personal loans, balances after a vehicle repossession, and even judgments resulting from collections—are treated in Chapter 13 bankruptcy as “general unsecured claims.” General unsecured debts such as credit cards and medical bills in general do not have to be paid in full through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan must offer to pay such unsecured debts an amount equal to the greater of (a) the debtor’s projected disposable monthly income after necessary living expenses, or (b) the excess value of the debtor’s assets that would have been subject to being taken away (liquidation) in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In practice, this means that often the Debtor’s plan does not have to pay anything on general unsecured claims. Sometimes unsecured creditors receive only a tiny percentage of their debt, and the individual in Chapter 13 bankruptcy receives a discharge of the remaining balance upon completing her payment plan.

Testimonials

Jon Brooks was wonderful to work with on filing for bankruptcy. He is professional, polite, and very detailed. I'm so grateful I'm debt free... Read more

Michelle D., San Jose

I just wanted to take this time to say that I had the privilege of being represented by my bankruptcy attorney Jon. At first I was really te... Read more

Frank S., San Jose

Jon focused on the key issues quickly, and knew critical answers I could not find elsewhere – even from other attorneys! I highly recommen... Read more

C.C., San Jose

If you are reading this, chances are you haven’t been on a ‘winning streak’ in your life lately. When my wife and I came in to see Jon... Read more

Keith A., San Jose

Jon provided me with the pros and cons of what type of bankruptcy to file which I understood very well as they were presented to me and my w... Read more

Tony G., Fremont

Jon Brooks demonstrated confidence, compassion, and professional integrity while handling my challenging bankruptcy case. He skillfully disc... Read more

Lisa C., Palo Alto

I can't thank Jon enough for helping us through the most difficult time in our life. Coming to the conclusion that I had to file bankruptcy ... Read more

J.S., San Jose

Choosing Jon to represent me in my bankruptcy case was the best decision I have ever made! He is extremely knowledgeable and explained every... Read more

Sara L., Campbell

Jon Brooks helped us get a fresh start without making us feel ashamed for our bankruptcy. He and his staff were professional to an ultimate ... Read more

Y. Carter and D. Carter, San Jose

I am a young single mother that went through a very difficult time and knew bankruptcy was the smartest option for me at the time. Mr. Brook... Read more

S.M., San Jose

We were saved by the office of Jon Brooks when our country was in the Great Recession. They solved our second mortgage and debt problems pow... Read more

Sam S., San Jose

Jon Brooks and his wonderful team helped me with my bankruptcy case and gave me back my peace of mind. My initial (free) consultation with M... Read more

Raquel P., San Jose

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