Georgia Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyers
With Bankruptcy Offices in Statesboro and Springfield
When debt is starting to take over your life, you may feel unnerved and lost. Bankruptcy to some people might feel like a failure. Bankruptcy is not synonymous with failure. It can give you a fresh start. You deserve that. Let our Georgia Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers help you through it. Call us today!
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Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 is for someone with regular income, normally having fallen behind on monthly payments on cars, houses and other debts which are secured by collateral. It helps them make a repayment plan to get their debt under control. Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you propose a plan to repay all or a portion of your debt in a three to five-year period through monthly payments.
The court will determine how long this period is. All bankruptcy payments are governed by your disposable income and the equity you may have in assets such as cars, houses, bank accounts, or other assets. Normally if your income is less than the median income level for Georgia, you have the option of a three to five year repayment plan. Below is the table for median income levels in Georgia.
In calculating income and expenses to determine the minimum payment required for individuals with income above the median level, the courts use a generic formula for determining expenses and income, this is called the “Means Test.” Excluded from this computation is social security benefits. In addition if you received aid from the CARES Act, this amount is also excluded.
Generally, no repayment plan can extend beyond five years. However, under the CARES Act enacted March 27, 2020, debtors operating under a confirmed plan as of that date, may extend their plan for up to seven years from the date the first payment was due under the confirmed plan. During this period, no debt collectors are allowed to bother you.
Call our Georgia Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers to find out more.
Benefits of Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Unlike Chapter 7, you are not looking at the possibility of liquidating your assets in order to pay off your debt. You could have the option of saving your home or car if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and avoid having a foreclose on your home or car. When you file, foreclosure and repossession proceedings will cease. But do note that you may have to continue to pay your mortgage on your house directly to the mortgage company while you are in the process of Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Car payments are typically included in the Chapter 13 payments made to the trustee.
Something you may be pleased to know is that Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you reschedule your secured debts and extend/pay them out over a period of time.that extends beyond your repayment plan. This can result in lower and more manageable payments.
Download Bankruptcy ChecklistBankruptcy National Living Allowance: Effective 4/1/2020
Household Size | Food and Housekeeping #7 on Sch. J | Clothing #9 on Sch. J | Personal Care #10 on Sch. J | Misc. | Total Allowed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Person | $426.00 | $88.00 | $43.00 | $170.00 | $727.00 |
2 People | $757.00 | $159.00 | $70.00 | $302.00 | $1,288.00 |
3 People | $862.00 | $169.00 | $76.00 | $339.00 | $1,446.00 |
4 People | $1034.00 | $243.00 | $91.00 | $418.00 | $1,786.00 |
5 People | $1,275.00 | $301.00 | $112.00 | $518.00 | $2,206.00 |
6 People | $1,518.00 | $358.00 | $133.00 | $617.00 | $2,626.00 |
7 People | $1,761.00 | $415.00 | $155.00 | $715.00 | $3,046.00 |
8 People | $2004.00 | $472.00 | $176.00 | $814.00 | $3,466.00 |
Add'l Persons | $282.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $138.00 | $420.00 |
Bankruptcy Means Test Guide
Household Size | Annual Income |
---|---|
1 Person | $50,128.00 |
2 People | $65,007.00 |
3 People | $73,738.00 |
4 People | $87,317.00 |
5 People | $96,317.00 |
6 People | $105,317.00 |
7 People | $114,317.00 |
8 People | $123,317.00 |
Add'l Persons | $9,000.00 |
Am I Eligible for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Regardless if you are self employed or you’re working for a company, you may be able to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy as long as your debts are under $394,725 of unsecured debt and $1,184,200 of secured debt. Check with our Georgia Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer to see if these numbers have adjusted and if you are eligible for Chapter 13.
How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Will Play Out
Hopefully you will start your case with the help of one of our Georgia Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers. It begins when you file your petition with the bankruptcy court. The petition details your assets, liabilities, debts, income, and a listing of financial matters predating two years before the filing.
You will to attend credit counseling session via the computer or phone. The certificate of credit counseling must be attached to the petition. From there you will provide your proposed repayment plan. You will have a trustee working on your case and you will have to provide them with your tax returns for the last two years.
There are some costs with filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There is a $310235 fee for filing your case. You may be able to work with the court to pay this over a 120 day period after filing. There will not be more than four payments allowed to repay these fees, however, and it has to be totally paid off within 120 days after you file your bankruptcy petition. There may be some exceptions that grant you 180 days to pay back the fees, but it is something to discuss with one of our Georgia Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers.
You should be prepared to provide all information needed to the staff handling your case such as:
- A comprehensive list with addresses of all debts owed
- Who is loaning you the money, how much they loaned you and how often you pay these payments
- A comprehensive list of your assets, including house, cars, boats, deposit accounts, life insurance policies, etc.
- A comprehensive list of everything that you spend on a monthly basis including your utilities, taxes, medical care, food, housing, etc.
Call Our Georgia Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyers Today
We get your pain. Debt is crushing and can make you feel overwhelmed. You deserve help through this difficult time. Our Georgia chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers are here to guide you through your bankruptcy process and help you get your life back. Call today!
Georgia Census Median Income Effective 4/1/2020
Period | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People | 7 People | 8 People | Add’l |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | $50,128 | $65,007 | $73,738 | $87,317 | $96,317 | $105,317 | $114,317 | $123,317 | $9,000 |
6 Months | $25,064 | $32,504 | $36,869 | $43,659 | $48,159 | $52,659 | $57,159 | $61,659 | $4,500 |
Month | $4,117 | $5,417 | $6,145 | $7,276 | $8,026 | $8,776 | $9,526 | $10,276 | $750 |
Semi Month | $4,117 | $5,417 | $6,145 | $7,276 | $8,026 | $8,776 | $9,526 | $10,276 | $750 |
Bi Week | $1,928 | $2,500 | $2,836 | $3,358 | $3,705 | $4,051 | $4,397 | $4,743 | $346 |
Week | $964 | $1,250 | $1,418 | $1,679 | $1,852 | $2,025 | $2,198 | $2,371 | $173 |