In order to file a chapter 7 or chapter 13 New York bankruptcy a debtor must take what the Bankruptcy Code refers to as “an instructional course concerning personal financial management.” (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(11)) What is this requirement? In 2005, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), which changed a …
Because married couples often share debts, one obvious question is how they can use the bankruptcy process to their advantage. Here are several ways married partners can do so. (1) Because married partners aren’t obligated to file jointly when one of them encounters difficulties paying debts, they have some flexibility in how to deal with …
The Bankruptcy Code obligates a debtor to fulfill a number of duties to successfully complete a New York bankruptcy. Failure to do so can result in penalties ranging from dismissal to revocation of a discharge order to criminal penalties for bankruptcy fraud. 28 U.S.C. § 521 divides the debtor’s duties into ten subsections, and most …
What Documents Must Debtors File to Meet Their Duties in Bankruptcy? Read More »
Most bankruptcy debtors’ creditors are giant, impersonal banks. The obvious plus to discharging debts owed to them is that no one cares if their feelings are hurt. Sometimes the situation is different, such as with credit unions, which are banks that are owned by the depositors, usually within a defined geographic area. Often, credit unions’ …
What Happens When Credit Unions Are Creditors in New York Bankruptcy? Read More »
Many people aspire to homeownership, but if they have filed bankruptcy they often believe it’s an unreachable goal. This isn’t true. In fact there are several ways bankruptcy can help someone become a homeowner. (1) Bankruptcy can improve credit scores and other creditworthiness metrics. It’s avoiding bills and creditors that causes problems. In this sense, …
How Bankruptcy Can Lead the Way to Homeownership Read More »
The last thing people who are considering filing bankruptcy in New York are probably interested in is filing two tax returns in one year. Yet it is not only possible but also worthwhile to do in certain circumstances. First, what are we talking about? Federal law allows individual debtors (i.e. non-businesses) in chapter 7 or …
The Benefits of a Short Tax Year Election to a Bankruptcy Filing Read More »
It’s a sad truth that many businesses in New York fail, prompting twin chapter 7 bankruptcies for both the business and the owner. The two most common causes of businesses shutting their doors is lack of sales (obviously) and liquidity problems, which usually involve solid sales, but the business nevertheless can’t pay its creditors because …
A common question raised by people who talk to a New York bankruptcy lawyer is “Do I have enough debt to file bankruptcy?” It’s a sensible question to ask because we tend to think that the law imposes minimum thresholds and other requirements in many circumstances, like speed limits. For a straight liquidation, chapter 7 …
Receiving a discharge from the bankruptcy court in New York is the goal of New York bankruptcy petitioners. It should be a relief so that people can continue their lives. Although, occasionally creditors claim the loans you discharged are forgiven instead; that means you’ll have to pay income tax on the forgiveness. What does this …
4 Steps to Escape Paying Income Tax on Discharged Debt in New York Read More »
In Part 1, we discussed the various documents that you should consider bringing to your first free bankruptcy consultation with your New York bankruptcy attorney. Our goal is to relieve you of some of your anxiety as you begin the bankruptcy process. Gathering the necessary documents will ease some of your fears. Doing so will …
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