Archive for March 2009


Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy – A Procedural Overview

March 31st, 2009 — 12:23 pm

Chapter 13 bankruptcy law is at times referred to as reorganization bankruptcy.  It’s very different than Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy virtually all of your debts are cancelled out. But, you must give up any belongings that aren’t exempt from seizure by your creditors. Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy law, you aren’t required to give up any worldly property. But, you’re required to use your income to pay off some or all of what you owe your creditors. Your payments to creditors are made over time, typically from three to five years. The time parameter depends upon the amount of your debts and income.

Eligibility for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy isn’t for everyone. Chapter 13 bankruptcy law involves utilizing your income to pay back some or all of your debt. So, you’ll have to certify to the court that you’re able to fulfill your payment obligations. If your income is sporadic or too low, the court might not let you to file under Chapter 13 bankruptcy law.

If your entire debt burden is excessively high, you’re likewise unqualified to file under Chapter 13 bankruptcy law. Your secured debts can’t be more than $1,010,650. A “secured debt” is one that gives a creditor the ability to take away a particular piece of property (like your house or car) if you don’t pay off the debt. Your unsecured debts can’t be more than $336,900. An “unsecured debt” doesn’t allow your creditor the power to take your belongings.  An example of an “unsecured debt” is a credit card or a medical bill.

The eligibility requirements of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy are covered in detail in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property & Repay Your Debts Over Time.

Starting a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Prior to filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must complete credit counseling from an agency sanctioned by the United States Trustee’s office. These agencies are allowed to charge a fee for their services.  But, if you can’t afford to pay the fee, they have to provide reduced rate counseling and, in a few situations, free counseling.

Payment Plans In Chapter 13

The most crucial component part of your Chapter 13 bankruptcy paperwork is your repayment plan. It traces in detail how much money you’ll pay to each one of your debts. There’s no recognized form for the plan.  But, almost all courts render their own forms.  To learn more about Chapter 13 Bankruptcy repayment plans, read Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property & Repay Your Debts Over Time.

How Much Will You Have to Pay

Your Chapter 13 plan must pay specific debts fully. These debts are called “priority debts” because they’re viewed significant enough to leap to the head of the bankruptcy repayment line. Priority debts include child support and alimony, wages you owe to employees, and certain tax obligations.  Additionally, your plan must encompass your standard payments on secured debts.

The plan must establish that any income you have leftover after making these required payments will go toward paying back your unsecured debts.  You don’t have to repay these unsecured debts in full.  You just have to demonstrate that you’re giving any left over income towards their repayment.

How Long Is Your Repayment Plan

The length of your repayment plan turns on how much you make and how big your debts are. If your normal monthly income during the six months prior to the date you filed for bankruptcy is greater than the typical income for your state, you’ll need to propose a five-year plan. If your income is smaller than the standard, you may offer a three-year plan.

Regardless of how much you bring in, your plan ceases when you pay back each of your debts in full, even if you’ve not reached the three- or five-year mark.

What Happens If You Can’t Produce Plan Payments

If you encounter a job loss after embarking on a payment plan or detect that you can’t sustain the payments on your Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan, the bankruptcy trustee may alter your plan.  It’s even possible that the court could allow for the discharge of your debts on the basis of hardship.  Hardship may include the abrupt loss of a job due to a company closing down or a severe debilitating sickness.  If the bankruptcy court won’t permit you to vary your plan or allow you a hardship discharge, you may be able to convert to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 

How Does a Chapter 13 Case Conclude

After you complete your repayment plan, each continuing debt that’s eligible for a discharge is canceled out. But, before you’ll be able to obtain a discharge, you must prove to the court that you’re up-to-date on your child support responsibilities and that you’ve finished a budget counseling course with an agency licensed by the United States Trustee. This budget counseling course is in addition to the mandatory credit counseling you go through prior to filing for bankruptcy

Comment » | Personal Finance

How quickly can I finance a car after my bankruptcy is discharged?

March 31st, 2009 — 11:27 am
finance
Chelsea B asked:


We are filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and it is due to be discharged by May. How long after that can we finance a car for a decent rate?

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

3 comments » | Credit

Is Computer Science considred a quantitative major for finance jobs?

March 30th, 2009 — 05:59 pm
finance
Ali R asked:


I want to work in investment banking/ finance after college, and was wondering if Computer Science would be a good quantitative major for an undergraduate degree.

Ultimately, I want to get an MBA right after or at least a Masters of Finance degree before I start working.

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

3 comments » | Higher Education (University +)

What are the other finance courses i can take to help me get good paying job in the banking industry?

March 30th, 2009 — 07:05 am
finance
Edmund O asked:


im going to pursue a degree in accountancy at NTU and aims to work in the banking industry. What are the finance courses i can take with an A level cert with zero years of work experience to help me achieve my aim easier. preferably part time courses i can do within a year.

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

1 comment » | Other - Business Finance

Can a debt collector physically show up to your home to collect on a home equity mortgage?

March 29th, 2009 — 12:43 am
debt
William R asked:


I was a collector of unsecured debt for years ( I was the guy that hounds you on the phone :( ). I know the FTC regulates debt collection through the Federal Debt Collectors Practices Act. I remember my boss telling me about the Good Ol’ Days when he would go to peoples homes and actually reclaim furniture, pianos etc. I am looking for specifics. Thanks in advance!

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

3 comments » | Personal Finance

Protecting your Finances

March 28th, 2009 — 02:19 am

Getting a sports injury can affect you in different ways. Clearly, the most damaging way a sports injury can affect you is that specific injuries can make you miss work for a considerable length of time. And, if you were unlucky enough to get injured, how acceptance of your enforced absence would your employer be.

Whilst finances and sports should not be linked they are. The average sports person does not benefit from the sports protection top athletes get. If you were unlucky enough to pick up a sports injury, you are then basically left alone to get better. If you’re lucky you’ll get physiotherapy, but this often has a long waiting list.

As picking up an injury can have serious implications for both your finances and indeed your health, something to think about would be to look at implementing a sports accident policy. Sports insurance have a number of key features, but the most important one is that if you pick up sports injury you would subsequently receive a financial payment.

As the implications for sports injurys can be quite having amateur sports insurance in place would give you peace of mind and security to know that if you were hurt and couldn’t work, you would be covered accordingly. Sports insurance is, in effect, a combination of heath insurance and sports insurance that provides you with money if you got injured and there are several, key benefits.

So, what are the benefits to look for when considering the implementation of sports insurance? Regarding employment, something to look for that is important is income protection. If you got injured playing sports and you could not work would you still be able to pay all of your monthly outgoings if you were self employed this would be a difficult situation to be in.

As will all insurance premiums the more you pay the more comprehensive the insurance coverage will be. The best way to consider what insurance to take out would be to think about how long you could maintain your outgoings if you got injured. If you did need a long time off then clearly you will need to pay more into the insurance plan.

Sports insurance for sports is something that those who participate in sports should think about carefully. Consider all the monthly outgoings that you have leaving your account and think could you meet those if you picked up a sports injury. I would suggest that the majority of people may not be able to afford this and should certainly consider searching for some form of insurance coverage.

Look for any specialist, sports insurance terms and conditions prior to implementing a sports insurance policy to see exactly what the benefits are on offer.

Comment » | Finance

What is a reasonable amount of debt to have after completing a PhD program?

March 27th, 2009 — 08:10 am
debt
Cynthia C asked:


I’m working toward a PhD in Political Science. My concentration is International Relations, and I’d prefer to teach at a large research university. I know about how much faculty members in my field earn, but, frankly…I’m a little worried about being able to pay off my student loans.

If you’ve earned your PhD, or if you have information about this topic, what do you think is a reasonable amount of debt to have after you get your PhD? Can you reasonably pay it off on a professor’s salary?

I know that it would depend on the amount of debt and how much the position pays, but if you can share your experiences, I’d be appreciative. Thanks.
I’m funded, by the way, but the stipend at my tiny public school is ridiculous. Because I’m funded, I’m full-time and will get out in 5 years (well, 4 years left), and I can’t work outside the department for more than 10 hours a week (it’s an unofficial rule, but they do frown upon it). I worked full-time as an undergrad, but I’m really not sure I could handle working at all outside of my classes and TA/GA responsibilities.

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

2 comments » | Higher Education (University +)

How much debt would it take for you personally make the decision to file bankruptcy?

March 26th, 2009 — 08:37 pm
debt
dee b asked:


I know bankruptcy should be a last resort but some people have different personal limits. I would like to know your personal answer.

What’s the least amount of debt it would take for you to make the decision to file bankruptcy? And what is your annual income if you don’t mind?

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

9 comments » | Personal Finance

What is the fastest way to get rid of student loan debt?

March 25th, 2009 — 03:30 pm
debt
Ubiquitous asked:


I’m paying off a lot of credit card debt and currently have my student loans in a deferral status. But the big monthly payments will start up again at the end of this year.

Aside from trying to drop off the radar screen or looking for a much better-paying job that would quickly burn me out, I’m curious if anybody has any leads on this matter.

Thanks!

PS: Don’t recommend declaring bankruptcy because student loan debt is exempt from that.

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

3 comments » | Personal Finance

What happens when you hand your car back to the finance company?

March 24th, 2009 — 06:58 pm
finance
debi m asked:


I bought a Renault Clio last August 06 for £2500 since i dont have any debt and no credit rating i had to take high finance (37.5%) im now paying £146.65 a month for 36 months and i still over 3000 to pay, I would like to hand this car back to finance company as i no longer wish to pay that ammount of money and i dont like the car. What happens if i were to do this?

Content supplied by Articlesbase.com

5 comments » | Buying Selling

« Previous Entries