Discharge of Debts in Bankruptcy
Florida Debt Relief and Debt Solutions Attorney
The majority of consumers file for bankruptcy in order to discharge debt. The discharge is ordered by the Court and relieves the debtor from the responsibility of paying off the loan or credit account. There are some debts, however, that typically cannot be discharged. These include:
- Most taxes
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Student loans
- Personal loans
- Tax debts
- Any lawsuit judgment as a result of personal injury to another because of DUI
- Most fines and penalties owed to government agencies
A debt can only be discharged if it arose before the date the bankruptcy was filed. The judge can also choose to exclude a debt if it is found that the debtor obtained money or property fraudulently. A discharge of debt through Chapter 7 bankruptcy will only be granted every eight years from the date the petition was filed with the court. While you can voluntarily pay a discharged debt, you are not required to do so.
A reaffirmation agreement is also not necessary in this case. I don’t know if you want to put this in, but the statute of limitation to file and obtain another discharge is: From a Chapter 13 to another 13: 2 years from the date of filing the petition From a 13 to a 7: 6 years From a 7 to 13: 4 years While you are not required to pay for property, such as an auto, if it has been discharged, the lender has the right to take back the asset.
It is critical to the bankruptcy process that all debts for discharge are listed on the petition to the Courts. If a debt is not listed, it may not be discharged. The judge can also deny discharge if it is found that records have been falsified or property has been hidden.
What is a Reaffirmation Agreement & How It Works?
While a debt may be eligible for discharge, the consumer may want to keep the asset, such as an automobile. To do this, the debtor will promise to pay the lender through a reaffirmation agreement filed with the court.
A reaffirmation agreement is voluntary and should not place an undue financial burden on the debtor. It can also be canceled before the debt is discharged. The reaffirmation must be approved by the Court and will not be legal until it has been. If an individual who is not represented by an attorney wishes to file a reaffirmation agreement, a hearing must be held to answer questions that pertain to the asset. If a debt is reaffirmed and the debtor fails to pay the loan at a later time, the creditor has the right to recover the property just as if there was no bankruptcy filed. Only an attorney can give you legal advice surrounding a bankruptcy case. The bankruptcy trustee does not represent you in this way.
To speak with a bankruptcy lawyer for a debt discharge in Florida or to help with foreclosure defense, please call us at (800) 535-3215.
We offer comprehensive debt relief and debt solutions, including Chapter 13, Chapter 7, and Debt Discharge, in compliance with the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Means Test
- Florida Bankruptcy Means Test: Eligibility and Requirements
- Steps To Determine Eligibility for Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Who Qualifies for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
- Debt to be Discharged
- My Assets and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Additional Chapter 7 Benefits
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Florida
- Is Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy the Best Choice For You?
- Why File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
- How Chapter 13 Works
- The Chapter 13 Process
- Meeting Chapter 13 Qualifications
- Discover the Benefits of the Chapter 13 Repayment Plan
- Benefits of Chapter 13
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13
- Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Will You Qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankrutpcy Timeline
- Chapter 13 Bankrutpcy Timeline
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Florida - What will happen?
- Chapter 13 Timeline
- Changes During the Three to Five-year Repayment Period
- What if I have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy before?
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Florida
- Is Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy the Best Choice For You?
- Why File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
- How Chapter 13 Works
- The Chapter 13 Process
- Meeting Chapter 13 Qualifications
- Discover the Benefits of the Chapter 13 Repayment Plan
- Benefits of Chapter 13
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney
If you need to find a solution, contact a member of our team. SunCoast Law can help! We offer free initial consultations to all of our clients and would be happy to meet with you one-on-one.