Chapter 13 bankruptcy, also known as “reorganization bankruptcy,” is a process that allows you to repay your creditors over a period of three to five years. Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which requires you to sell off certain assets, Chapter 13 allows you to keep your property and repay your debts through a court-approved repayment plan.
The advantages of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy include:
- You will have three to five years to repay your debt
- You may be able to prevent an impending foreclosure
- You may be able to remove a second or third mortgage
- You can keep the property you are making payments on
- You can put an end to further debt collection efforts
How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Can Save Your Home
One of the biggest advantages of filing for Chapter 13 is that it can help you save your home from foreclosure. As long as you stay current on your mortgage payments and pay back all of your mortgage arrears by the end of the repayment period, you will be able to keep your home. Even if you are already in foreclosure when you file, the automatic stay will stop the lender from foreclosing until your bankruptcy has been completed.
Who Can File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will not be required to pass the means test in order to file for Chapter 13. However, that is not to say that Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for everyone. Since you will be required to pay back some or all of your debt, you will need to prove to the court that you can afford your monthly payment obligations.
In order to meet your payment obligations, you can use:
- Income from your job
- Workers’ comp / disability
- Unemployment benefits
- Child or spousal support
- Property sale proceeds