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Staying on track with your Chapter 13 repayment plan

Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers a structured path to financial recovery, and successfully completing the repayment plan is crucial. Missing payments or failing to adhere to your plan can lead to serious consequences, including dismissal of the bankruptcy case, loss of asset protection and renewed creditor collection efforts. To avoid setbacks, it is essential to stay disciplined and proactive throughout the Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment period. Here are some tips for success. Understand your repayment plan Before making payments, take time to thoroughly review

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How does Chapter 13 bankruptcy affect your ability to rent a home?

Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy helps you reorganize debt, but it can impact your ability to rent a home. Landlords often check credit reports and may hesitate to rent to someone with a bankruptcy filing. However, you can still find housing with the right approach. How landlords view bankruptcy filings Most landlords review credit history before approving rental applications. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may raise concerns about your financial stability. Some landlords may see it as a sign of financial struggle, while others may consider

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What is special about Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

When you think of bankruptcy, you may have visions of losing everything you own. Media depictions often involve people forced to sell homes, cars, jewelry and other valuables to pay outstanding debts. However, this is not the case, especially if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The purpose of bankruptcy is to satisfy debts and get yourself on a stronger financial footing. Wiping away the debt that bogs you down through a Chapter 13 restructuring plan may prove a better option in the long and

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How may a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan work repay my debts?

Debtors with steady income may qualify for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. As described by CreditKarma.com, you may personalize a three-to-five-year payment plan to repay creditors. This may provide a workable option to restructure your debts by consolidating them into an affordable monthly payment schedule. To qualify for a Chapter 13 plan, you may not earn more than Maryland’s median income. The qualification process also considers your marital status and how many individuals live in your household. Which debts may a payment plan include? The bankruptcy

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How long may it take to pay debts through a Chapter 13 plan?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is available for filers who earn regular income. As noted by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, if you qualify, a Maryland bankruptcy court may work with you to create a payment plan that typically lasts between three and five years. The payment-plan timeline generally depends on how much income you earn each month. If you receive less than the average monthly income of a Maryland resident, a payment plan may last three years. If your monthly income is higher than

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How are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies different?

Many residents of Maryland have a hard time staying on top of their bills and finances. If you are among them, you may be thinking about filing for personal bankruptcy. Most who do so move forward with either a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 filing, but there are some key differences between the two types. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies also have different eligibility requirements, so it is important that you have a firm grasp of both types before moving forward. What are

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How long does bankruptcy affect your credit?

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding designed to help people eliminate or reorganize insurmountable debt. But while bankruptcy provides many with the clean slate they need to get back on track, it isn’t without consequences. Bankruptcy can impact your credit score more harshly than any other single financial event. While filing for bankruptcy doesn’t always result in a lower credit score, it can make it that much more challenging to get new lines of credit in the future. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file, a

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Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help struggling consumers start over

Bankruptcy can get a bad reputation. When people hear of someone they know filing for bankruptcy, some people assume that money mismanagement is the root cause. However, many fall into financial despair due to circumstances beyond their control. Whether it be divorce, job loss or even medical debt, any of these situations can put responsible consumers in a tight spot. The current economy is creating financial hardships As the U.S. labor market took a nose-dive earlier this year, many Americans have lost their jobs. According

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Understanding how to pursue relief through a wage-earner plan

Going through prolonged periods of financial strain can be stressful under any circumstance. Unfortunately, it may take little more than a single medical emergency or sudden change of employment to leave a person facing high amounts of debt. For individuals in Maryland who are able to pay certain amounts of debt but are struggling under the overall weight of financial obligations, a wage-earner plan could help them pursue a healthier financial future. One major concern for many who consider bankruptcy as a viable option may pertain

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Wage-earner plan: Purchasing or leasing a home after bankruptcy

When facing prolonged periods of financial hardship, individuals in Maryland and elsewhere may have certain reservations concerning the available options for relief. Those who have thought about pursuing relief through a wage-earner plan might wonder about the impact a similar process could have on their ability to purchase or rent a home. However, this form of hesitation may be unnecessary, and seeking guidance could help one overcome any previous concerns. Filing for bankruptcy will inherently have an impact on a person’s credit, and while this

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