Are You able to retain your property in the event that you declare bankruptcy?
Are You able to retain your property in the event that you file for bankruptcy?
In bankruptcy, secured loans can be retained
If you're a homeowner and have a mortgage or car loan, or any other type of secured debt, you might be wondering if you can keep the property if you declare bankruptcy. Although the majority of the time you can, there are certain exceptions. It is important to speak with an attorney regarding your particular situation and the consequences of filing.
The first thing you need to know regarding secured debt is that it is property that is an obligation on the debt. If you fail to make your payments, the creditor is able to repossess your collateral. But, they are unable to pursue you for bankruptcy. So long as you're paying the debt, you will be able to keep the property, however you are not able to use it to repay your secured debt. In the event of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must reaffirm your debt if you want to keep your property.
If you are behind in your car or mortgage payment, you'll have to declare the debt as a part of your bankruptcy. This will enable you to deal with your financial difficulties and get back on track in your repayments. However, it will also allow the creditor to seize your home, which could result in you losing the value of the property.
Secured creditors may be built on a security agreement, such as trust or deed or mortgage, or a judgment lien. If you fail to pay them they may acquire possession of the property and collect fees and interest. It is imperative to pay the debt again after it is repossessed.
Saving your collateral could save you hundreds of dollars. However, you must retain the insurance that you paid to secure your purchase, and you must keep making your payments. You can either negotiate the terms of a new contract, or transfer your collateral. Negotiations are feasible and could result in your creditor reducing or extending the time you make payments, or offering other conditions.
Selling your home is another method to stay out of foreclosure. Some states allow creditors to take the equity you have in your home, especially if you're in default in your mortgage. Selling your home could be an option to repay your debt in the event of an emergency or you need the cash.
Another alternative is to confirm the debt through the Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Although most debts can be discharged under bankruptcy, liens on secured debts will not. The liens remain on your credit report and will influence your credit score. After filing bankruptcy, it's important to review your credit report.
There are some debts that can be cleared however they remain on your credit report. There is also a statute of limitation that requires time for you to remove the debt from your credit report. People often assume they are familiar with the regulations and rules, only to find that they're wrong. Rules change and are often not well explained. Do your research prior to declaring bankruptcy. Although nobody wants to go through this but you must be prepared should you be forced to.
The bankruptcy process can be difficult to understand. The most important thing to be aware of is that the automatic stay is a legal precaution to prevent the creditor from taking additional actions against you. The debtor can stop collecting, however, you may refuse to stop them. If the debtor is not satisfied with the stay, they could be able to ask the court to lift the suspension of the stay. Look at websites such as https://www.ljacobsonlaw.com/pa/harrisburg-bankruptcy-attorney/ for more information on bankruptcy and seek professional advice to answer your questions.
There's a lot of bankruptcy fraud going around. People are sometimes caught up in a scenario that they assume is supposed to be helpful but only discover that they're in much more financially trouble than they anticipated. Be sure to read the small print and be sure to understand the implications of what you are giving up and making a decision to sign before signing any legal documents.