Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Blog

If you have an emergency situation, our firm can file a bankruptcy for you within 24 hours. However, we do not recommend filing bankruptcy that quickly unless it is absolutely necessary. A few examples would be to stop a foreclosure sale or to prevent a vehicle repossession.

If you are not in an emergency filing situation, a bankruptcy typically can be filed in about 30-45 days, depending upon how quickly you would like to move forward. We cater to your needs, so if you would like to file more quickly, we can certainly assist with that.

The answer depends upon a few factors. Primarily, they are:

• How quickly you can deliver documentation to your bankruptcy attorney
• Whether you are choosing a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13
• Reasons which may exist to delay your filing

Phase I – Gathering Information

Working with our firm is easy. We simplify the process as much as possible and do our best to minimize the documentation you need to provide for filing. You will have your choice between completing an online questionnaire or providing info over the telephone. Documentation can be uploaded electronically or delivered to the office in paper format. While every case is unique, you generally need to provide proof of ID, two years of tax returns, six months of bank statements, and registration cards for vehicles.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13

Chapter 7 bankruptcy results in a discharge roughly 120 days after the filing of the bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a years-long bankruptcy where you make a monthly payment for 36 or 60 months. You receive a discharge after making your last payment. Your bankruptcy attorney will be able to help you decide between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Generally speaking, you must pass the Means Test to qualify for Chapter 7. Most clients who choose Chapter 13 do so because of one of the following:

• Too much income
• Too many assets
• A desire to ‘catch up’ on a mortgage or car loan

After a free phone consultation, our office can typically predict for you whether you will need to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. From there, you can decide which route is best for you. If neither of the two options is appealing, we can always discuss the option of pursuing debt settlement instead of bankruptcy.

Phase II – Reviewing Your Petition

With the information we gather in Phase I, we prepare a rough draft of your bankruptcy petition. The bankruptcy petition is a document meant to disclose your financial picture to the bankruptcy court. The key to a successful bankruptcy filing is disclosure. We will provide you with a draft of the petition and review it with you for accuracy and completeness.

Phase III – Signing and Filing The Petition

The bankruptcy petition must be signed prior to being filed. Fortunately, the Charlotte bankruptcy court is allowing electronic signatures and electronic filing. This makes the process quite seamless and easy. Once the petition is filed, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee to the file. The trustee will review your petition prior to the 341 meeting.

Phase IV – The 341 Meeting

The 341 meeting is a short meeting between you, us, and the bankruptcy trustee. These hearings are held either on the phone or in person. The trustee will ask you a few questions about the petition they have reviewed. The trustee will also ask if there are any changes that need to be disclosed. You may be surprised to know that creditors very rarely attend the 341 meeting.

Phase V – Discharge

After the 341 meeting, there is a necessary waiting period meant to give creditors time to file their claims with the court. Once the deadline for this filing passes, the trustee will close your case and the bankruptcy court will enter your discharge. This is the true end of the bankruptcy and the final step in the process.

Reasons To Wait To File Bankruptcy

While the bankruptcy rules are very powerful in favor of the debtor, sometimes it makes sense to wait to file your bankruptcy. Usually, these waiting times are well worth it, and relatively easy to spot if you’ve been honest with your bankruptcy attorney. Because the bankruptcy rules look at a specific window of time regarding your financial activity, waiting an extra month or two to file can sometimes make the difference between a smooth and easy bankruptcy, or a rocky road. Here are a few reasons your bankruptcy attorney may recommend you wait to file:

• Too much income in the past 6 months
• A transfer to a friend or family member in the past year
• A large payment to a creditor in the past 90 days
• A new loan is taken out in the past 90 days
• Credit card use in the last 90 days beyond day-to-day purchases (Luxury items, etc.)

Hearing that you need to wait to file your bankruptcy may be frustrating. It certainly changes the answer to the question “How long does bankruptcy take?” if your attorney is recommending waiting, for the sole purpose of letting a financial item ‘drop off’ of your timeline. However, taking the advice of your bankruptcy attorney prior to filing will pay off for you in the end.

Speak With A Charlotte Bankruptcy Lawyer Today

Considering filing bankruptcy? Give us a call. A short conversation can restore your belief that there are brighter financial times ahead. We love answering questions and we are here to help. You can reach us at 704.749.7747 or click HERE to request a call.

 

How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost?

The cost of a bankruptcy will depend on which Chapter you file. In North Carolina, the cost for a Chapter 13 is set by the court. The cost for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy depends upon the law firm and the specifics of your case.

Chapter 13 Fees

In the Western District of North Carolina, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is $4,500.00. However, you will most likely not need to pay all of this up front. Each law firm requires a different ‘up front’ (pre-filing) amount to be paid. The remainder of the fees are built into your Chapter 13 plan and are paid monthly to the trustee as part of your ongoing Chapter 13 payment.

By way of example, if you paid $2,000.00 up front before filing, it would leave $2,500.00 to be paid through your plan. If your Chapter 13 plan was 60 months, that equates to roughly $41.50 per month to be built into your Chapter 13 plan.
Your full monthly Chapter 13 payment will depend upon a few factors, including your monthly income and expenses and any priority debt you have. You can read more in our article How Much Will My Chapter 13 Payment Be?

Chapter 7 Fees

While most firms have a standard base fee for Chapter 7 filings, each Chapter 7 is different and requires a different amount of work to be done by the law firm. We do our best during the Free Consultation to discover any specific items which may entail additional work by the firm. A few items which may dictate your Chapter 7 fee are whether you have judgments which need to be addressed, or if we anticipate an objection by a creditor. Lastly, if you have assets which cannot be exempt in bankruptcy, it is reasonable to assume we will need to negotiate with the trustee in an attempt to preserve as many of those assets as possible.

Unexpected Attorney Fees In Chapter 7

There are rarely unexpected attorney fees in Chapter 7. The representation agreement outlines some standardized fees for performing certain tasks, should they need to be performed. Our goal is for each client to know the full extent of attorney fees prior to moving forward with our firm and prior to filing the bankruptcy case. We accomplish this by having thorough conversations with clients and potential clients, in order to discover the full breadth of the bankruptcy filing.

Speak With A Charlotte Bankruptcy Lawyer Today

If you want to know how much filing bankruptcy will cost, we are happy to discuss it with you. We can be reached at 704.749.7747 or you can request a free consultation HERE. We know considering bankruptcy can be stressful. Our promise is to be the support you need as we work to help you take the next steps toward freedom from debt. We know you have choices. We hope you choose Layton Law.

Inventory and Equipment in Bankruptcy

A common scenario is emerging across the country, and one which we are addressing in our office with many potential bankruptcy clients. As small businesses further feel the impact of Covid-19, business owners are wondering where—if any—the outlet valve is for them, financially.

The Small Business Catch-22

There is a catch-22 in a small business bankruptcy scenario, in that the business may be providing enough money for the owner and their family to operate their personal household, but not enough money to pay the expenses required to keep the business going.

While this scenario may have been somewhat tenable for restaurant owners and other small business owners during the moratorium on foreclosure and eviction, those days are nearly over. As courts re-open in North Carolina, foreclosures, evictions, and creditor lawsuits will move forward. Without an influx of income or some other relief, this will no doubt place business owners in an untenable position.

The business owner wants to continue to operate the business to bring in necessary income to live off of, but they cannot keep up with the mounting debt and invoices.

How Can Bankruptcy Help?

The type of debt you carry will be a key factor in how your small business will be affected by a bankruptcy filing. Second, the value of your business inventory and assets will be a factor. If your business debt is unsecured debt, you may be able to protect your equipment and inventory from creditors in a bankruptcy. Lastly, you can exempt or protect some of your business inventory and equipment in bankruptcy, if it has value above and beyond what is owed to creditors who have liens against it.

Many of our small business clients elect to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. So long as you pay your creditors the value of your unexempt business inventory and equipment over the life of the Chapter 13, you can operate your business during bankruptcy. As your business recovers and income increases, it is true your Chapter 13 payment may increase, but you always have the option of dropping out of or dismissing your Chapter 13 bankruptcy if you have recovered enough to enable you to pay your bills.

Secured Creditors

If your debt is secured by inventory or equipment, those secured creditors will take priority over other creditors. They will be entitled to either the equipment, or payment up to the value of that equipment. Depending upon whether the secured creditor was a purchase money creditor, or a general line of credit creditor who took a security interest in equipment you already owned, we can advise how that debt and equipment will be treated in a bankruptcy.

Back Rent In Chapter 13

Chapter 13 offers you the ability to stop an eviction by a landlord, if you show you will be able to pay rent going forward, while slowly making up the missed rent in your Chapter 13 payments. Chapter 13 is typically a 60 month plan, so your back rent is paid over that 60 month period while you continue to make your normal rent payments. The length of your lease will be a factor, as well as whether your landlord has already obtained an order in the eviction process. The end of the moratorium on evictions certainly make the likelihood of filing to avoid eviction a reality.

Walking Away From The Business In Bankruptcy

If you are ready to walk away from the business, you may qualify for a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13. While this means you would most likely file bankruptcy and dissolve the corporate (business) entity, there is nothing to stop you from forming a new company on the heels of bankruptcy and doing business again under a new name.

Speak With A Charlotte Small Business Bankruptcy Lawyer Today

Call today if you have questions about your small business, equipment and inventory in bankruptcy, or other concerns. The consultation is free, and we are here to help. We can be reached at 704.479.7747. Or, you can click HERE to request a free consultation.