Source: https://www.njbankruptcyatty.com/new-jersey-chapter-13-bankruptcy-information/
Timestamp: 2020-03-29 18:25:19
Document Index: 679860883

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1322', '§ 521', '§ 302', '§ 1302', '§ 1302', '§ 1301', '§ 101', '§ 343', '§ 341', '§ 502']

New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer - Lombardi Law Firm - Chapter 13 Lawyers
New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer - Plan to Eliminate Debts
An experienced New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer can assist you with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy which is also called a wage earner's plan. It enables individuals with regular income to develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts. Our NJ Bankruptcy Attorneys will adivse you of the requirements for a Chapter Thirteen. Under this Bankruptcy chapter, debtors propose a repayment plan to make installments to creditors over three to five years. Speak with our New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyers if you have any questions about Chapter Thirteen Bankruptcy.
By: Steven Lombardi
New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Procedure - Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer
If the debtor's current monthly income is less than the applicable state median, the plan will be for three years unless the court approves a longer period "for cause." (1) If the debtor's current monthly income is greater than the applicable state median, the plan generally must be for five years. In no case may a plan provide for payments over a period longer than five years. 11 U.S.C. §1322(d). During this time the law forbids creditors from starting or continuing collection efforts.
A New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case begins by filing a petition with on of the bankruptcy courts serving the area where the debtor has a domicile or residence. Unless the court orders otherwise, the debtor must also file with the court: (1) schedules of assets and liabilities; (2) a schedule of current income and expenditures; (3) a schedule of executory contracts and unexpired leases; and (4) a statement of financial affairs. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(b). The debtor must also file a certificate of credit counseling and a copy of any debt repayment plan developed through credit counseling; evidence of payment from employers, if any, received 60 days before filing; a statement of monthly net income and any anticipated increase in income or expenses after filing; and a record of any interest the debtor has in federal or state qualified education or tuition accounts. 11 U.S.C. § 521. The debtor must provide the chapter 13 case trustee with a copy of the tax return or transcripts for the most recent tax year as well as tax returns filed during the case (including tax returns for prior years that had not been filed when the case began). Id. A husband and wife may file a joint petition or individual petitions. 11 U.S.C. § 302(a).
The courts charge a $310 case filing fee.
In order to complete the Official Bankruptcy Forms that make up the petition, statement of financial affairs, and schedules, the debtor must compile the following information: A list of all creditors and the amounts and nature of their 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, i.e., food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes, transportation, medicine, etc.Married individuals must gather this information for their spouse regardless of whether they are filing a joint petition, separate individual petitions, or even if only one spouse is filing. In a situation where only one spouse files, the income and expenses of the non-filing spouse is required so that the court, the trustee and creditors can evaluate the household's financial position.
When an individual files a chapter 13 petition, an impartial trustee is appointed to administer the case. 11 U.S.C. § 1302. The chapter 13 trustee both evaluates the case and serves as a disbursing agent, collecting payments from the debtor and making distributions to creditors. 11 U.S.C. § 1302(b). Contact our NJ Chapter 13 Lawyers for a free consultation.
Chapter 13 also contains a special automatic stay provision that protects co-debtors. Unless the bankruptcy court authorizes otherwise, a creditor may not seek to collect a "consumer debt" from any individual who is liable along with the debtor. 11 U.S.C. § 1301(a). Consumer debts are those incurred by an individual primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose. 11 U.S.C. § 101(8). A New Jersey Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer can decide whether this type of Bankruptcy is right for you.
Between 21 and 50 days after the debtor files the chapter 13 petition, the chapter 13 trustee will hold a meeting of creditors. During this meeting, the trustee places the debtor under oath, and both the trustee and creditors may ask questions. Your New Jersey Bankruptcy Lawyer is also present at the Chapter 13 hearing with you to guide you through the Chapter 13 Process. The debtor must attend the meeting and answer questions regarding his or her financial affairs and the proposed terms of the plan.11 U.S.C. § 343. If a husband and wife file a joint petition, they both must attend the creditors' meeting and answer questions. In order to preserve their independent judgment, bankruptcy judges are prohibited from attending the creditors' meeting. 11 U.S.C. § 341(c). The parties typically resolve problems with the plan either during or shortly after the creditors' meeting. Generally, the debtor can avoid problems by making sure that the petition and plan are complete and accurate, and by consulting with the trustee prior to the meeting. A New Jersey Chapter 13 Lawyer can guide you through the Bankruptcy process.
In a chapter 13 case, to participate in distributions from the bankruptcy estate, unsecured creditors must file their Proof of claims with the court within 90 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3002(c). A governmental unit, however, has 180 days from the date the case is filed file a proof of claim.11 U.S.C. § 502(b)(9).
After the meeting of creditors, the debtor, the chapter 13 trustee, and those creditors who wish to attend will come to court for a hearing on the debtor's chapter 13 repayment plan. Call our affordable New Jersey Chapter 13 Lawyers to obtain more information on what a Chapter 13 can do for you.