Southfield Chapter 13 Lawyers

Learn About the Benefits of Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Even when faced with significant financial straits, many people are hesitant to consider bankruptcy for a variety of reasons. This is often because of the misconceptions that continue to persist about bankruptcy.

This could not be further from the truth. Filing for bankruptcy offers individuals and families various benefits and, most importantly, allows them a chance to secure a brighter financial future. At Goldstein Bershad and Fried, PC, we help individuals and families work towards a stable financial future by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you are struggling with your finances and are curious about what debt relief can do for you, reach out to our Southfield Chapter 13 lawyers today.

How Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Work?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is essentially known as the "restructuring" chapter, where you reduce the amount of debt you owe by restructuring your unsecured debts into a manageable payment. Typically, this chapter of bankruptcy is appropriate for people who want to hold onto their property and still have a regular income which you can use to pay back a portion of your debt. Instead of having separate payments that you make which can be confusing and difficult, you will have one payment plan which lasts for between three to five years in most cases.

How To Qualify For Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Before filing for bankruptcy you must know whether you qualify or not. Eligibility requires the debtor to meet the following requirements:

• Debt Limits: Your secured debts and unsecured debts cannot go over the limit. You must not have over $394,726 in unsecured debts such as credit cards and not exceed more than $1,184,200 in secured debts such as home loans.
• Income: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a repayment program, the court must see if you can afford your monthly expenses and into the payment program. So you must have a regular income

• Tax Filings: You must be current on tax filings.

• Time Limits: You cannot have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the pas ttwo years or Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the past four years. You cannot have filed a bankruptcy petition (Chapter 7 or 13) in the previous 180 days that was dismissed for certain reasons, such as failing to appear in court or comply with court orders.

How Can Chapter 13 Help You?

Once you start the process for filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the automatic stay will stop most collection actions from creditors. As long as the debtor can keep their mortgage, insurance, and chapter 13 plan payments current throughout the process, the creditor will have a difficult case if they file a Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay to lift the injunction.

If you choose to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can:

• Keep possession of your assets and property
• Reduce the total amount of debt you owe
• Stop creditor harassment and foreclosure

If you need to save your home from foreclosure or car from repossession, our attorneys can help you determine if a Chapter 13 filing is right for you.

Reach out for Advocacy from Our Southfield Chapter 13 Attorneys

Not all debtors qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but those that do are often afforded the protections and "breathing room" they need to stabilize their finances and put their debts behind them. At Goldstein Bershad and Fried, PC, we are ready to help you assess your eligibility for this type of filing and, if necessary, partner closely with you and your loved ones to ensure that you benefit as much as possible from this process. No matter what your financial circumstances are, we are ready to help you take the next steps forward.