chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Experts

Chapter 13 bankruptcy, also known as debt reorganization, is the ideal option for people who have a good income and own valuable property that isn’t covered by the bankruptcy exemptions that are applicable in Georgia.

This type of bankruptcy is a great option for residents who are in arrears with secured debt payments like mortgages. It is also a very effective way to stop home foreclosures, reinstate mortgages, and remove junior mortgages in Georgia.

Chapter 13 also enables people to combine all their debts into a repayment plan that is mandated by the court, which is why it is called debt reorganization.

There are limits in terms of secured and unsecured debts, and it isn’t possible to cancel all your debts, which you can do with a Chapter 7. But an advantage is that a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney will enable you to discharge some of your debts and keep some of the assets that are currently attached to your current debts.

If you are threatened with car repossession or property foreclosure, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney like me can step in and stop the repossession or foreclosure, even if the property is not exempt.

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is quite a lengthy process that takes between three and five years to complete. During this time debtors must make regular repayments according to a formal repayment plan, which is why you do need to have a disposable income that enables you to make these repayments.

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chapter 13 bankruptcy faq

Why You Should Hire a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney

There are federal laws that govern bankruptcy in Georgia as well as bankruptcy exemptions introduced when the most recent bankruptcy laws came into effect in 2005. The exemptions relate to wages, real property in the form of a homestead exemption, insurance, pensions, alimony and child support, tools of the trade, and specific public benefits.

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney like me understands the relevance of the Georgia exemptions and how they affect different types of bankruptcy, including debt reorganization. In any case, only an experienced Georgia bankruptcy attorney will be able to help you determine which chapter of bankruptcy will be best for you, based on your own unique situation.

An experienced bankruptcy attorney at The SJK Law Firm will make recommendations based on your assets and liabilities.

How to Qualify for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

There are certain requirements for debtors who wish to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Most importantly:
  1. You must have sufficient income to be able to honor a repayment plan. There are median incomes for different sized households that are used to assess your ability to make repayments.
  2. Secured debts cannot exceed $1,010,650.
  3. Unsecured debts cannot exceed $336,900.
  4. You must meet the requirements of the Georgia means test. This takes a number of different factors into account including the type of debts and monthly income.

Chapter 13 FAQ

What is Chapter 13?
Chapter 13 is also called debt reorganization or the wage earner plan. Under Chapter 13, all of your debts are gathered together in a repayment plan that you agree to make payments on for three to five years. Your monthly payments are decided by your income and expenses.
How long do I have to pay off my debts?
It depends on the size of your debt and the amount of your income. The range is usually anywhere from 36 to 60 months.
What if I need longer to pay off my debts?
It depends on your creditors. If they agree to longer terms then it can stay as Chapter 13 but if not then you will have to continue under Chapter 7.
What happens if I can't pay or stop paying the trustee?
That depends on many things. If it is a short term situation of less than three months and you contact your trustee to work out an alternate payment plan then they will normally do that for you. If, however, it is a long term situation or you do not contact the trustee then it will either be converted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or dismissed entirely. If it is dismissed then you lose any protection that you had through the bankruptcy process.
Do I get to pick my trustee?
No. The trustee is always assigned to you by the courts.
Can I pay it off early?
Not really. If you were able to pay it off early it would mean that your income had changed. If that were true then you would have reported it and the trustee would adjust your repayment plan accordingly.
Can I pay the trustee extra money when I can?
You can but you shouldn’t. If you come upon a temporary windfall then you should tuck it back for an emergency but if your income permanently changes then you will have to report it so your payment plan can be adjusted.
Are there any extra feed that I have to pay besides the filing fee?
No. With The Kakol Law Firm Bankruptcy you never have to worry about extra or hidden fees. We will give you a price that covers your case from beginning to end.
Can I buy or sell a home while I am filing for Chapter 13?
Yes but it will begin as a motion before the court. Our attorneys can help you with that process if it comes up.
Will Chapter 13 help me with my IRS debt?
Yes but it can be a very tricky situation. You will need to sit down with one of our attorneys to identify which portion of the debt can be included and which cannot.
 
 

Reverse Mounting Debt and Financial Turmoil

If you are overwhelmed with debt and don’t want to be forced to sell valuable assets, my highly qualified attorneys can help turn your life around by stopping foreclosure, halting car repossession, and significantly reducing your debts.

Contact The SJK Law Firm to talk to a dedicated Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney from my team of experts to get the process started now.

Contact us for your free consultation