Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers Blog

A Sacramento bankruptcy attorney writes about the California means test.

Question: How do I know if I pass the California means test?

Answer: The means test California is designed to limit the use of Chapter 7 bankruptcy to people who truly qualify. The first qualifier is income. If your current income per month is less than the average income for the state, then you pass. If you fall below the average income for the state of California then you do not have to complete the rest of the California means test. You are eligible to file for Chapter 7.

For those individuals who exceed the state average, the means test will get a little more complex. Individuals should calculate their disposable income or income that is left over after “allowed” monthly expenses. If the disposable income adds up to more than the California state means test standard, then you cannot file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There are California means test available online.

If you have a question regarding bankruptcy in the greater Sacramento area please contact us at 916.792.6025 or 1800.941.6730 for a free consultation or visit consumers in debt can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or bankruptcy litigation case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about ankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

An "FYI" from a Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorney: Your Bankruptcy Can And Might Be Audited by the US Trustee...

Individuals who file for relief under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 are subject to audits under the authority of the US Trustee. At least one out of 250 Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases will be randomly selected for audit. In addition, other cases will be selected for audit.

You are required to provide some additional information and records and cooperate with the audit firm hired by the US Trustee and provide this information promptly. There is no cost to you for the audit, except for the cost of making copies of documents needed for the audit. The information that you provide in connection with your case is subject to examination by the Attorney General.

The audit firm will file a report containing the results of the audit. A copy of the report will be provided to your attorney. If the audit firm finds material misstatements of income, expenses, or assets the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court will notify your creditors.

Failure to cooperate with the audit firm or failure to reasonably explain to the bankruptcy court any material misstatements contained in the audit firm's report may result in the dismissal of your case or in the denial or revocation of your discharge, and, possibly in referral of the matter to the US Attorney for criminal investigation.

Audits are serious but if you’ve chosen the right attorney he’ll 1) have all the required documents, 2) submit a bankruptcy petition that’s consistent with your assets and liabilities, 3) list your income correctly, and 4) know what to expect because he or she had been through it before.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy attorney answers Why Must I Disclose To The Trustee Or Any Interested Creditor Whether I’ve Transferred Property In The Past 2 Years*?

A credit card creditor takes the risk that a borrower will have no property to satisfy its claim. But if a borrower does have valuables and attempts to conceal or illegitimately dispose of it then the law gives the out of luck creditor some ability to retrieve the property so that it can be used to satisfy the debt owed.

A creditor can avoid or cancel the transfer property because the law sees the transfer as an abuse having the effect of defeating the justifiable expectations of the creditor.

There are two grounds for avoidance of the transfer: actual fraud and constructive fraud.

Actual Fraud
Over the centuries courts of law have identified typical patterns of behavior that create a suspicion of fraud i.e. badges of fraud. Some badges of fraud include transfers of property to a friend, a business insider or someone with close family connections; concealment of the transfer just before litigation or in the face of impending collection activity; or the transfer of property was made just before a significant amount of debt was incurred.

Constructive Fraud
Where actual fraud goes to the intent to conceal property, constructive fraud is found where facts give rise to an unfair diminishment of the person’s estate and should not be allowed. Here there is no inquiry into the transferor’s state of mind. For constructive fraud to be established the following elements are required: 1) the transferor did not receive reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer, and 2) the transferor was in a shaky financial condition at the time of the transfer. This ‘shaky financial condition’ is established in one of three ways:

1.Transferor was involved in or was about to engage in a business venture and the transfer left the debt holder with insufficient capital for the venture.

2.The transferor was about to incur debts wit the actual intention of not paying them when due.

3.The transferor was insolvent i.e. expenses exceeded income.

If you feel you may have engaged in these transactions in the past whether intentional or not talk to an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

*Some trustees will go back as far as four years.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy attorney answers a bankruptcy liability question...

I was recently asked by a potential client in my Sacramento bankruptcy law practice, the following: "I was recently laid off from my job and need to file for bankruptcy. I have a significant amount of credit card debt that I am really seeking from relief from. The only reason I might not file for bankruptcy is because I am the co-signor on my daugher’s vehicle. Can I still file for bankruptcy without messing her credit up?"

Yes, you will be able to still file for bankruptcy without messing your daughter’s credit up. What will happen in your bankruptcy petition is the debt will be discharged against you. But as long as your daughter continues to make her car payments, they will not take the car away from her. In the event your daughter can no longer make the payments and she has the car re-possessed, since you filed for bankruptcy on this debt, you will not be liable and the lender will not be able to sue you.

The other option is for you to re-affirm the debt, however you should consult with your attorney prior to entering into any reaffirmation agreements.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy attorney says: If The Lender Does Not Garnish Wages They Will Put A Lien On Your Property

A nonpossessory nonpurchase money security interest is an interest where a lender takes an interest in consumer goods or tools of the trade. In bankruptcy this interest can be avoided to the extent that the security interest impairs an exemption in such property. Impairment occurs when a debtor cannot take an exemption due to the judicial lien encumbering such property.

Impairment of an exemption is measured by first comparing the value of the interest in the property in the absence of any liens against the total of the lien to be avoided plus other liens on the property plus the amount of the exemption claimed. The exemption is impaired to the extent that all liens plus the claimed exemption is greater than the value of the property.

The above calculation is the content of any motion to avoid a judicial lien. An abstract of judgment of the lien filed in the county where the property resides should be filed along with any request to avoid a judicial lien in order to show the court that a lien exists.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy attorney tells debtors about credit counseling courses when filing bankruptcy

Sacramento: let’s face it, if you’re considering filing for bankruptcy you may not have the best spending habits. Still, in the spirit of transparency, most Americans today (including this writer) probably could use some personal finance coaching. It should therefore come as no surprise that part of the process of filing for bankruptcy involves two credit counseling courses. Specifically, a debtor must take a credit counseling course before filing their petition and after filing their petition.

Sacramento, I know what you’re thinking, you hate homework. Not to worry, the credit counseling courses are but a minor inconvenience. Some courses are now available online and are not too expensive. And if I may be so bold Sacramento, the course may do you some good. So take heart Sacramento, the credit counseling courses are not the end of the world.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy attorney discusses Six Flags, Inc. bankruptcy

Six Flags, Inc., one of the world’s largest operators of regional theme parks across the country filed for bankruptcy protection last summer, with a proposed plan that transferred almost all of its stock to senior lenders to reduce it’s debt. Under that plan, noteholders would receive approximately 25% of the new common stock and rights to purchase an additional 70%. News sources now report that bondholders of the corporation are asking a judge to terminate the company’s right to exclusively file a plan of reorganization. Instead, the bondholders claim they have a better proposal which would pay the note holders in cash and in full.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy lawyer comments on Charter Communications emergence from bankruptcy

Last year, Charter Communications finally emerged from bankruptcy. The company filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 approximately seven months ago after facing significant financial hardship . Despite opposition to Charter’s reorganization plan from Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and other creditors, the company has successfully reentered the television services and broadband market. It’s reported that Charter was able to cut its debt load by approximately forty percent or $8 billion.

If you have a question regarding Bankruptcy please contact us at 1-800-941-6730 or visitwww.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our bankruptcy attorneys we can schedule you a free face to face appointment in our office location nearest you. Our team of Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your case. If you are have questions about filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy, a chapter 11 bankruptcy, a chapter 13 bankruptcy, lien stripping, cram down, a stopping a foreclosure or wage garnishment, discharging debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California who can assist your needs. Please feel free to complete our free bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!

A Sacramento bankruptcy lawyer comments on forclosure rates...

It isn't exactly news that California has posted the nation’s second highest foreclosure rate in recent months. Foreclosures in California are up 50% from the same time last year. California’s default notices and schedules foreclosure auctions are up 120% and 73% respectively. A recent survey shows that 7 out the top 10 metropolitan area foreclosure rates were in California. San Jose was thankfully not among the top ten, but its foreclosure rates are still dramatically up from last year. The hardest hit metro cities in Northern California are Vallejo-Fairfield, Modesto, Merced, Stockton, and Sacramento.

A chapter 13 bankruptcy can help consumers stop a foreclosure on their home. The 5 year (60 month) restructuring plan allows debtors to repay any arrears on their home over 60 months, so long as the homeowner is able to make their current mortgage payment in addition to the monthly arrears repayment. The benefit of this type of repayment plan is that the arrears cease accruing interest and the stress of a pending foreclosure is lifted.

If you have questions regarding Bankruptcy in Sacramento please contact us at (916) 492-6020 in Sacramento or (916) 724-1690 in Roseville for a free consultation or visit www.bkanswers.com and we can connect you with one of our experienced Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorneys. After you have spoken with one of our Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys, we can schedule you for a free face to face appointment in an office location nearest you. Our team of Sacramento Bankruptcy Lawyers can assist you with all aspects of your bankruptcy or legal debt settlement case. If you have questions about filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or would like to learn more about bankruptcy litigation, legal debt settlement, mortgage modification, lien stripping, cram down, stopping a foreclosure, wage garnishment, asset protection, discharging a debt, etc. we can help! We have bankruptcy attorneys located throughout California and Oregon who can assist you with all of your debt resolution questions. Please feel free to complete our free online bankruptcy evaluation and we can quickly determine if you are a qualified candidate for bankruptcy. We look forward to hearing from you, Sacramento and Roseville!