Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Law

By: Damian Sofsian
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:10:34
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Under the grant of authority given by Article I, Section 8, of the United States Constitution, Congress enacted the "Bankruptcy Code" in 1978, which is codified as title 11 of the United States Code. From October 17, 2005, the courts must charge a $220 case filing fee, a $39 miscellaneous administrative fee, and a $15 trustee surcharge, which must be paid to the clerk of the court upon filing. However, individual debtors may pay in installments with the court's permission.

To qualify for relief under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, the debtor can be an individual or business entity. This eligibility is discussed under U.S.C 11 subsections 101(41), 109(b). An individual may not be a debtor unless he or she has received proper credit counseling within 180 days before filing. If the ‘current monthly income’ of the debtor is more than the state median, the Bankruptcy Code requires application of a ‘means test’. With the petition, the debtor must also file with the court schedules of assets and liabilities, current income and expenditures, unexpired leases, a statement of financial affairs and a copy of the tax returns. Also, debtor must provide a list of all creditors and claims, the source, amount, and frequency of the debtor's income, a list of all of the debtor's property and a detailed list of the debtor's monthly living expenses.

Under the U.S.C. 11 Section 362, the ‘Automatic Stay’ on collection action is put so that creditors may not initiate or continue lawsuits or demand payments. U.S.C. 11 section 721 and 726 discusses the role of the impartial trusty who administers the case, operates the business of debtor and liquidates the debtor's nonexempt assets. The trustee holds a meeting of creditors between 20 and 40 days after the petition is filed. At the meeting, the trustee puts the debtor under oath, and both the trustee and creditors may ask questions. The debtor must cooperate with the trustee and provide any documents that the trustee requests.

A discharge given according to U.S.C 11 section 727, releases individual debtors from personal liability for most debts and prevents the creditors owed those debts from taking any collection actions against the debtor. The court may revoke a chapter 7 discharge on the request of the trustee or creditor, if the debtor obtained the discharge through fraud.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy provides detailed information about chapter 7 bankruptcy, chapter 7 bankruptcy law, filing chapter 7 bankruptcy, chapter 7 bankruptcy form and more. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is the sister site of Roth IRA Contributions.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Bankruptcy category

  • How to Avoid Bankruptcy - By: Justin Narin
    Bankruptcy offers some people a clean slate, it is by no means an easy solution. Bankruptcy will destroy your credit and may possibly force you to sell your assets. If you want to preserve your credit, you will be much better off if you do whatever you can to avoid bankruptcy.
  • Make Filing for Bankruptcy a Last Resort - By: Lee Bell
    There are 2 main types of bankruptcy. If you can't avoid bankruptcy, determine between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
  • Life after bankruptcy is not so difficult - By: Jason Holmes
    "Avoid bankruptcy" is the most common phrase; we come across in our everyday life. There are several disadvantages of bankruptcy. But if you are bankrupt, it is not very difficult to swim out of the situation.
  • Achieving Financial Security in an Unreliable Economy - By: Mohan Mittal
    Financial Security is a false concept that developed in American society based on the idea that security comes from the perceived reliability of a regular or planned paycheck. Many people, believing in the commitment of their corporations to their well-being, have found themselves downsized, layed-off, outsourced, transferred, or, in some cases, even fired. The immediate reality becomes harshly apparent and sadly disappointing.
  • Bankruptcy - Is it the Last Option Only? - By: Michael Killian
    Bankruptcy is available when all other debt payment measures have failed and the unpaid debt is simply beyond the means of the consumer to repay. It is essential, then, to understand debt options prior to bankruptcy and to determine which debt repayment method is the least detrimental. Additionally it is the law of the land that you know your debt repayment options prior to bankruptcy.
  • It’s Official; We Are Now A Bankrupt Society? - By: Stephen Morgan
    The Government’s Insolvency Service claimed that 27,644 people were either made bankrupt or entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) as a way to control or manage their debts in an ordered fashion.It was too early obviously to know how big a percentage of those who entered into an IVA had it failed by their manager or supervisor but it has been claimed previously that in some cases up to 50/60 percent of those entering an IVA fail to complete it in an orderly manner and therefore find themselves being made forcibly bankrupt at a later date.The other key statistic was that insolvencies were apparently 55% higher than during the comparable period this time last year and the smart money (to spoil the metaphor) is on the figure topping the 100,000 mark for the year.
  • Considerations Before Filing Bankruptcy - By: Jon Arnold
    Financial difficulties can occur in anyone’s life. When you think financial difficulties are more than you can handle, don’t let bankruptcy become your first thought. Bankruptcy should be considered as a last resort, not just the first thing that pops into your head when the going gets tough.
  • People on Benefits No Longer Eligible for an IVA - By: Diana Middleton
    The BBC has reported that people on UK state benefits will no longer be given an option of taking out an IVA to help pay off their debts.In an IVA or Individual Voluntary Arrangement people negotiate a repayment plan with their creditors with an Insolvency Practitioner acting on their behalf. Up to 80% of their debt is written off and interest on debt is frozen.
  • How Do Bankruptcy Loans' Requirements Work? - By: Kate Ross
    Bankruptcy loan’s qualification is not an easy task. You need to overcome serious lender’s wariness about your ability and disposition for repaying the loan you are requesting. At this stage, you need to make no mistakes, your behavior has to be stainless and you need to show the lender that the past problems that led you to bankruptcy exist no more.
  • Bankruptcy Can Be Used As An Opportunity To Start Over And Reset Your Financial Goals - By: Jon Hansen
    Bankruptcy is the last resort that neither the borrower nor the creditor wishes to meet. The impact of this to both sides is negative and long-lasting. Once you are bankrupt, it will remain on your credit report for many years, making it difficult to get any loan, insurance, or a job.