Tag Archives: Filing for Bankruptcy
Can I Get in Trouble If I Lie to My Creditors?
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to give a debtor a fresh start by discharging any outstanding debts, such as civil judgments obtained by creditors. But there are limits to what a bankruptcy court can and will discharge. For instance, federal law prohibits a debtor from discharging a debt obtained through “false pretenses, a… Read More »
Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Stop the Bank From Taking My House?
Many Florida homeowners are faced with an “underwater” mortgage—that is, the value of their property is less than what they owe to their lender. If you have an underwater mortgage and file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, an underwater mortgage can protect your house from being sold as part of a liquidation proceeding. But… Read More »
Can My Mortgage Lender Continue to Harass Me After Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy is designed to provide a “fresh start” to Florida residents who are drowning in debt. After completing the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process, for example, the court typically issues a discharge that prevents a person’s creditors from taking any further efforts to collect an outstanding debt. But some creditors may ignore or otherwise attempt… Read More »
Will I Go to Jail If I Don’t Pay My Creditors?
One of the reasons that the United States developed bankruptcy laws was to end the practice of throwing debtors in jail. Once prevalent in England and its colonies, debtors’ prisons were effectively eliminated in the U.S. by the 1830s. This means that under ordinary circumstances, a person cannot be sent to prison simply because… Read More »
When Should I Consider Filing for Bankruptcy?
Credit card debt is a fact of life for many of us. And if you are behind on your bills and have started receiving letters from debt collectors demanding immediate payment, you might wonder if filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the right move. While bankruptcy does afford many debtors a… Read More »