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Chapter 7 bankruptcy is often called “fresh start” bankruptcy, because it can wipe out a lot of unsecured debt. Obligations like credit card debt, payday loans, medical bills and other unsecured debts may be eliminated completely. In just a few months, a successful Chapter 7 filer can go from sleepless nights, cutting corners, juggling bills and dodging debt collectors to the peace of mind that comes with a new beginning.
A Chapter 7 case begins when you file a petition and schedules with the appropriate U.S. Bankruptcy Court. For Saginaw residents, that’s the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The petition and schedules contain information about your income, your debts, and your assets.
In most Chapter 7 cases, the bankruptcy court issues an automatic stay as soon as the case is filed. That’s a court order telling creditors and debt collectors to stop trying to collect from you. Just like that, the phone stops ringing. Collection actions like wage garnishment, automobile repossession and foreclosure are frozen. That’s true even if someone is in the middle of a debt collection lawsuit against you, or has already received a judgment against you.
First, you attend a credit counseling session. This is inexpensive, typically takes about 90 minutes, and can often be completed online or by phone.
Then, you work with your bankruptcy attorney to make sure your financial information is complete and accurate in the petition and schedules.
After your attorney files the petition, the automatic stay typically takes effect right away.
You’ll be scheduled for a hearing, which you may hear described as a “341 meeting” or a “creditors’ meeting.” This meeting usually takes 10 minutes or less. The bankruptcy trustee will ask some questions to make sure all of your information is accurate and that you understand how bankruptcy works. You’ll provide identification. In most cases, that’s all there is to it.
Your creditors have the right to show up and ask questions, but that almost never happens–especially if there are no assets available to pay creditors.
Then, you wait. While you’re waiting, you take another course, called the “financial management course” or “debtor education.” This course is also inexpensive and easily available from home. If the bankruptcy trustee doesn’t need any additional information and no creditors object, you may receive your discharge as soon as 3.5 months after filing.
Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy filers never go to court.
Of course, Chapter 7 isn’t for everyone. For example, secured debts like your mortgage and car loan can’t be discharged in a Chapter 7 case unless you give back the property. So, Chapter 7 is usually not the right answer for people who have secured debts to manage and want to keep their homes, cars, and other collateral.
There are also a few unsecured debts that can’t be discharged in a Chapter 7 case. The most common include most student loan debt, some tax debt, and domestic support obligations.
Many people who have significant assets also avoid Chapter 7, because non-exempt assets can be sold by the trustee to pay creditors. Fortunately, Michigan’s bankruptcy exemptions protect important assets like your home, your car, certain household goods, pets, retirement accounts and more. Though there are caps on these protections, they are sufficient for most people who want to file Chapter 7. Most people who file don’t lose any property.
Your bankruptcy attorney can explain these exemptions in greater detail and determine whether any of your property may be at risk.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is meant to help people who are in difficult financial circumstances and weighed down by unmanageable debt. The first step in determining whether someone is likely eligible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is simple: compare your income to the median income for a household the same size as yours in your state.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) updates this information regularly. Through October of 2021, Michigan’s median income for one person is $53,113. For a household of four, that number is $93,653.
If your income falls below the median, you can stop the calculation and file your case with no presumption of abuse. If your income is above the median, the process gets a little more complicated. This test, called the “Chapter 7 means test,” involves calculating certain allowed expenses and subtracting them from your income to determine how much money you have left after those expenses. Your bankruptcy lawyer can work through this calculation and determine whether Chapter 7 is an option for you.
The first step toward reclaiming control of your finances is to educate yourself about your options. Take that step today by scheduling a free consultation with attorney Josh Reinert. Call 800-528-0854 or fill out the contact form on this page.
The short answer is no. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing may remain on your credit report for up to 10 years. But, the entry carries less and less weight as you move forward and re-establish credit. In fact, many people see their credit scores increase right after bankruptcy. We can advise you on how to begin rebuilding credit as soon as your case is filed.
What happens to your car in a Chapter 7 case depends on how much the car is worth, whether you have a car loan, and whether you want to keep the car. Some of the options in a Chapter 7 case may include:
If none of the options available in Chapter 7 work well for you, you may want to explore the possibility of filing a Chapter 13 case instead.
We understand that protecting your home is a top priority for most people. Michigan’s bankruptcy exemptions protect a significant amount of equity in your home, which means most people who file keep their homes.
If your home is unaffordable or significantly underwater, you may choose to use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to surrender the property and walk away from the loan. We will thoroughly explain the protections available to you and discuss your options so you can make the best possible decision for you and your family.
If you are behind on your mortgage and facing possible foreclosure, we will discuss the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy and help you determine which might be a better option for you.
The vast majority of people who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy don’t lose any property at all. That’s because most property the average family owns is protected by Michigan’s bankruptcy exemptions.
If you do have property that may be at risk, we will assess that risk before you file and work with you to find the best solution, whether that is surrendering the property in order to discharge a large amount of unsecured debt or opting to repay your debt through a Chapter 13 plan so you can keep the property.
Yes, if you manage your finances well after bankruptcy and rebuild your credit. In fact, many people who have filed for bankruptcy are able to get a mortgage loan just two years after filing. Some lenders require more time, but even conventional, non-governmental lenders will typically offer mortgage loans four years after bankruptcy if you are otherwise eligible.
Yes, in most cases the automatic stay prevents creditors from contacting you or pursuing collection actions as soon as you file. In a Chapter 7 case, the automatic stay typically remains in effect throughout the bankruptcy case. At the end of a successful Chapter 7 case, the court enters a discharge order. This order prohibits creditors and debt collectors from trying to collect on any debts that were discharged in the bankruptcy case.
It’s generally best to leave it there. You can discuss the specifics with your bankruptcy attorney, but you should be aware that any significant changes like closing a bank account, transferring a significant amount of money, making gifts or taking out new credit shortly before bankruptcy can be a red flag that might derail your case.
No. Qualified retirement accounts are exempt, meaning that creditors can’t touch them and the bankruptcy trustee can’t take them to repay creditors.
Sometimes. Some federal, state, and local tax debt is dischargeable in a Chapter 7 case. But, it depends on the type of tax debt, how old the debt is, when you filed your returns, and other factors. We will review any tax debt you have and discuss with you in detail before proceeding with a bankruptcy filing.
No. Married couples can file bankruptcy jointly, or just one partner may choose to file. However, the non-filing spouse’s income is taken into consideration. You will also want to explore how filing individually will impact your spouse, to determine whether it might make sense to file together. For instance, if you have joint credit card debt or other joint debt and you discharge that debt in bankruptcy, your spouse will remain responsible for the full amount.
Yes. The automatic stay entered in most Chapter 7 cases stops lawsuits. If the other party attempts to move the case forward, you can provide the court with a copy of your automatic stay order and that will freeze the proceedings.
If the lawsuit involves a dischargeable debt, the case should not start back up. Instead, the discharge order will take over for the automatic stay at the end of the case and put an end to the lawsuit. If the lawsuit involves one of the few types of debt that is not dischargeable, it may move forward when the automatic stay is terminated.
No. Some people have too much income to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Generally, people whose income is below the state median are eligible. People with higher incomes may be eligible depending on their expenses and the amount of debt they are carrying.
Probably not. There is one required hearing, called a “meeting of creditors.” However, this isn’t really a court proceeding. The meeting is run by the bankruptcy trustee, not a judge. And, it often happens in an office or conference room rather than a courtroom. It’s usually short, and involves the trustee asking you some standard questions about your finances and the documents you filed.
You may have to go to court in special circumstances, such as if a creditor objects to your discharge. But, that type of issue is unusual in consumer cases.
Debts are eliminated when the discharge order is entered in a Chapter 7 case. If there are no complications in your case and you provide all required documentation and finish your debtor education course in a timely manner, this typically happens between 3.5 and 5 months after filing.
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