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Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is one of the reorganization bankruptcy types, also known as a repayment plan or a wage
earner plan.
Chapter 13 cases typically run from three to five years in length, and require payments to
your creditors made through the Court.
One of the most surpising things
people find out about Chapter 13 repayment plans is that many people GREATLY REDUCE what is paid to general unsecured
creditors (no collateral).
Many people think if they file a 13, that they will have to pay everything
back in full. While some people do have the ability to pay all of their debts in 13, many people reduce what
they pay to pennies on the dollar, or a percentage of what is owed.
In many cases, but depending
on the circumstances, Chapter 13 might: - Stop Foreclosures and give you time to catch up mortgage
payments
- Stop Repossessions, reduce balances owed on some cars or lower car payments
- Reduce credit card debt, loans and medical bills so you pay what you can afford
- Protect
property that creditors may take if they sue you
What is paid depends on a number of factors.
Taxes and priority debts must be paid in full.
Secured debt claims are paid in full. If you have
a house, car or other secured debts, they have to be paid in full or sometimes you can reduce what is paid to the value
of the property. This depends on certain what the property is (residence, rental, vehicle, property) and possibly how
long you have owned it.
Most of the flexibility in repayment is for unsecured debts, like credit cards, personal
loans, and medical bills. These debts have no collateral. Unsecured debts can be reduced significantly, and in
some cases to 0%, but it depends on each case.
You have to pay the unsecured creditors at least as much
as you can afford to pay, and if you have property that is not exempt, you may have to pay to keep it.
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North Carolina Bankruptcy Lawyer in Charlotte NC for Chapter 7 / Chapter 13
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