Automatic Stay
	Chapter 13
	Credit
	Definitions
	Discharge
	Exempt and Non-Exempt Property
	Houses, Apartments, and Cars
	Procedure
	Transfers and Payments
	State Specific Content

   Credit Problems
   Creditor Rights

    FAQs

• Does a bankruptcy filing stop a wage attachment?
• My lender is foreclosing on my home. Will filing bankruptcy stop this action?
• Can a creditor obtain relief from the automatic stay?
• Can utility companies shut off service during bankruptcy?
• What happens to lawsuits and attachments that have already been filed against me?
• What happens to my civil lawsuit when the defendant files for bankruptcy?
• What effect does bankruptcy have on child support?
• What is the automatic stay?
• What prevents my creditors from coming after me when I file for bankruptcy?
• How long does this automatic stay remain in effect?
• What if the court will not lift the stay?
• Does the automatic stay still apply to a residential lease under the new bankruptcy law?

    FAQs

• Can I switch to a chapter 7 bankruptcy after filing a chapter 13?
• What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
• Who is eligible for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
• How does chapter 13 work?
• Who creates my Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan?
• What is disposable income for purposes of Chapter 13?
• Can I pay off my bankruptcy plan early?
• Can I keep my house if I file bankruptcy?
• What is a hardship discharge in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
• What are the options for someone whose Chapter 7 filing would be abusive?

    FAQs

• Can the state deny me a license or permit because of my bankruptcy?
• Can I keep some of my credit cards?
• Can I get into trouble with balance transfers?
• Can I use my credit cards?
• How long does my bankruptcy remain on my credit report?
• Can my employer fire me because of my bankruptcy?
• Are there alternatives to bankruptcy?

    FAQs

• Key terms used in bankruptcy
• What is the automatic stay?
• What is surrender?
• What is a discharge in bankruptcy?
• What is bankruptcy?

    FAQs

• Can my bankruptcy case ever be reopened?
• What is a hardship discharge in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
• Will bankruptcy discharge my past-due income taxes?
• Can I repay a creditor if I want to - even after bankruptcy?
• My creditor is attempting to collect on a discharged debt. What can I do?
• Suppose a creditor forgets to file a proof of claim?
• How does bankruptcy affect a joint account holder?
• Can a creditor ask a debtor to reaffirm the debt?
• How can I escape from my student loan debt?
• What is a discharge in bankruptcy?
• Suppose I leave out a debt on my petition?
• Which debts are discharged in bankruptcy?
• Under the new bankruptcy law the list of debts that cannot be discharged is expanded. What are the new debts that can’t be wiped out?

    FAQs

• A relative died after my case was filed. What happens to the life insurance proceeds?
• Can I keep my house if I file bankruptcy?
• Can I keep my car if I file bankruptcy?
• Freeing me from my debts in bankruptcy is in exchange for losing some of my possessions. How does that work?
• What property can I keep in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing?
• What property will I lose in a chapter 7 case?
• I have no property or assets to turn over to the trustee. Can I still file?
• A lender has a mortgage lien. What is a lien and does it affect my bankruptcy case?
• Will bankruptcy affect my right to recover for injuries I previously suffered in an accident?
• Can I shelter property by transferring it to family members?
• I got divorced after my case was filed. What happens to my property settlement?
• Can I use bankruptcy to protect my assets?
• Who owns my tax refund?
• My spouse is declaring bankruptcy. Should he file alone or should we file together?
• What will happen to tuition prepayments for my children?
• What is surrender?
• What is redemption?
• How much of my home equity is off-limits to creditors under the new bankruptcy law?
• Are my retirement assets, college savings plans, and asset protection trusts protected under the new bankruptcy law?

    FAQs

• Can I keep my car if I file bankruptcy?
• Can I keep my house if I file bankruptcy?
• A lender has a mortgage lien. What is a lien and does it affect my bankruptcy case?
• My lender is foreclosing on my home. Will filing bankruptcy stop this action?
• Can I stay in my apartment?
• Can a creditor ask a debtor to reaffirm the debt?
• What does it mean to avoid a lien?
• What is a reaffirmation agreement?
• Under the new bankruptcy law, what will happen on my car loan?
• Does the automatic stay still apply to a residential lease under the new bankruptcy law?

    FAQs

• Suppose I leave out a debt on my petition?
• Can I repay a creditor if I want to - even after bankruptcy?
• Can I keep some of my credit cards?
• My creditor is attempting to collect on a discharged debt. What can I do?
• My spouse is declaring bankruptcy. Should he file alone or should we file together?
• Who owns my tax refund?
• What is bankruptcy?
• Can I switch to a chapter 7 bankruptcy after filing a chapter 13?
• Can my bankruptcy case ever be reopened?
• What is involved in the bankruptcy process?
• I can't make the payments due under my Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan. What can I do?
• Where do I file a bankruptcy petition?
• What law and rules apply to a bankruptcy?
• Who decides bankruptcy cases?
• Do I need an attorney to file for bankruptcy?
• Will bankruptcy affect my right to recover for injuries I previously suffered in an accident?
• How does bankruptcy affect a joint account holder?
• Can utility companies shut off service during bankruptcy?
• Do I have to pay taxes during my bankruptcy case?
• What are the different chapters under which an individual can file?
• Freeing me from my debts in bankruptcy is in exchange for losing some of my possessions. How does that work?
• How often can I file for bankruptcy?
• I am in a same-sex relationship. How does that affect bankruptcy?
• Who is eligible for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
• Who creates my Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan?
• I have no property or assets to turn over to the trustee. Can I still file?
• What are the deadlines for filing a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court?
• Can a creditor obtain relief from the automatic stay?
• Can I be sent to jail for filing bankruptcy?
• Credit counseling and other educational requirements under the new bankruptcy law are required of debtors. What do they entail?
• Under the new bankruptcy law, what are the new documentation requirements?
• Is there any relief for victims of disaster (i.e., Katrina) under the new bankruptcy provisions?
• What happens to unpaid child support and alimony in the new bankruptcy law?
• Are there new requirements concerning the addresses for creditors?
• I moved recently. How might that affect a bankruptcy case?
• Under the new bankruptcy law, how does means testing work?
• Is Social Security counted as income in the means test under the new bankruptcy law?
• What are the options for someone whose Chapter 7 filing would be abusive?

    FAQs

• Do I have to pay taxes during my bankruptcy case?
• Can I repay a creditor if I want to - even after bankruptcy?
• Can I keep some of my credit cards?
• Can I shelter property by transferring it to family members?
• What about family gifts?
• What will happen to tuition prepayments for my children?
• Will the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act help me provide for my children?

    FAQs

• I'm suing someone and I just learned that they filed bankruptcy. What if anything can I do about this?
• Can a creditor obtain relief from the automatic stay?
• What are the deadlines for filing a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court?
• What if the court will not lift the stay?
• What is the wild card?
• How long does a bankruptcy remain on my credit record?
• What are the various type of bankruptcies?
• Does an individual filing a California bankruptcy use the federal exemptions or the California exemptions?
• What prevents my creditors from coming after me when I file for bankruptcy?
• How long does this automatic stay remain in effect?
• What happens to my civil lawsuit when the defendant files for bankruptcy?
• Does Illinois have its own set of exemptions?
• Can an individual who is filing bankruptcy in Illinois chose the federal exemptions rather than the state's?
• What does the term "wild card" refer to?
• What are some of the common exemptions allowed by the state?
• What debts are canceled under Illinois law?
• What property can I keep after filing bankruptcy?