Bankruptcy Exemptions

T-Boz’s Bankruptcy Case Dismissed

04/03/12

In a high-profile example of the bankruptcy court’s discretion over your bankruptcy case, former TLC member T-Boz, whose real name is Tionne Watkins, was thrown out of bankruptcy court.  Can this happen to you? T-Boz had filed a personal Chapter 13 bankruptcy, claiming more than $750,000 in debts to various creditors.  But instead of granting [...]

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Using Bankruptcy to Restore Your Driver’s License

01/13/12

Losing Your Driver’s License Can be a Big Headache Losing your driver’s license can have a huge impact on your life.  Without a license, meeting basic needs is much more difficult.  Suddenly, you may still have to make car payments, but cannot use your car to get to work or the store.  This can be [...]

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Can Your Financial Choices Lead to Divorce and Bankruptcy in Arizona

01/13/12

Joint Accounts for Married Couples:  Can Your Financial Choices Lead to Divorce and Bankruptcy? Several surveys report that the majority of married couples put all of their money in joint accounts.  However, that number is less than it used to be, and there are several other options available to married couples. Some couples choose to [...]

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How Can Bankruptcy Turn the Tables for the Debtor

12/14/11

How Can Bankruptcy Turn the Tables for the Debtor When people consider filing for bankruptcy, their first concern is usually what negative consequences may stem from their decision.  Making the decision to file for bankruptcy is an important one, and one that needs to be given considerable weight.  However, it is also important to see the [...]

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Dismissals by Interested Parties

12/04/11

Bennett v. Bennett (In re Bennett), No. 09-44442-BDL (Bankr. W.D. Wash., January 19, 2011). When you file for bankruptcy, any “interested” party can ask the court to dismiss your case.  If the court finds that you abused the bankruptcy laws, by lying or hiding assets, the court will agree and dismiss the case.  You will [...]

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How Much Control Do Bankrupt Dodgers Have Over Baseball Decisions?

11/26/11

How Much Control Do Bankrupt Dodgers Have Over Baseball Decisions?   Not long ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers filed for bankruptcy.  This move was controversial, and concerned many baseball fans.   As sports fans are well aware, good players demand high salaries.  But can the Dodgers renegotiate salaries, and make other financial decisions, while going through [...]

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Keeping Your Belongings in Bankruptcy

10/06/11

A common misunderstanding when a person files for bankruptcy is that they lose all their belongings. This is not true. A person filing bankruptcy is entitled to keep their belongings that are necessary for everyday living. This can include furniture, clothing, appliances, a car and other property. What belongings, or property, a person is entitled [...]

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Appropriate Use of Available Exemptions Will Protect a Debtor’s Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

08/13/11

For those who are considering filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in San Jose, or elsewhere in California, a common misconception is that the bankruptcy trustee will seize or take away all of a debtor’s existing property.  This is not true. Debtors are entitled to certain exemptions when a bankruptcy is filed.  An exemption allows a debtor [...]

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The Liquidation Analysis/Best Interests of the Creditors Test for Chapter 13

08/04/11

When considering a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, one of the first questions that every debtor wants to know is how much their monthly Chapter 13 Plan payment will be. As with most legal questions, the answer is that it depends. One of the ways to determine how much this payment will be is to perform a [...]

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Bankruptcy Discharge

07/21/11

A bankruptcy discharge is one of the most common reasons for filing for bankruptcy.  A discharge releases you from personal liability for debts that qualify under federal law.  It is a permanent order granted by a bankruptcy court.  Any debts you successfully discharge in bankruptcy will basically disappear and your creditors can never come after [...]

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