Most individuals who file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminate all of their debt. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy you can eliminate all your debt and pay zero dollars to your creditors! If you don’t have significant property or assets, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is usually the best route to take to eliminate your debt. The large majority of all personal bankruptcies filed today are Chapter 7.
In order to qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you must pass the “means test.” That means that if your income is less than the median income in your county, you qualify to apply for bankruptcy protection. In order to find out if your income is above or below the median income for your area, please contact our office and one of our experienced bankruptcy attorneys can apprise you of where your income falls in the context of the “means test.” If, however, your income is above the median income for your county, you may still qualify, but additional information that you provide will have to be.
When one files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court appoints a trustee who will collect and sell (“liquidate”) all non-exempt property and distribute the proceeds to the appropriate creditors. Any remaining dischargeable debts will be discharged at the end of the process.
The definition of ”exempt assets” varies from state to state, but in New York, the following assets are generally exempt from liquidation in Chapter 7 bankruptcy:
Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will help you deal with the following financial problems:
Any excess equity in your home or car, above the levels outlined above, must be “cashed out” in order to pay your creditors. It should be noted that certain debts are not dischargable in a bankruptcy proceeding. The following debts are among the most common that generally may not be discharged:
The lawyers at the Law Offices of Schlissel DeCorpo have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. Bankruptcy may be the solution to your financial problems. Call us to see if you qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Our phones are monitored 24/7. Our phones numbers are 516-561-6645, 1-800-344-6431 or 718-350-2802.
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