A chapter 13 bankruptcy case involves consumers, who have a steady flow of income, and who need to reorganize their financial commitments. Chapter 13 is labeled a consumer reorganization, because it involves a restructuring of the debtor’s financial commitments.
In a chapter 13, for example, a debtor’s debt balances, interest rates, and monthly payments can be reduced. The debts can be consolidated into one monthly payment. However, the terms of a mortgage upon the debtor’s primary residence cannot be modified. A reorganization under chapter 13 is good for the entire family as it places the debtors in a better financial condition than before the reorganization.
The following is an example of a chapter 13 plan: A married couple with one child has $75,000 in total gross household income. The couple owes $15,000 on car #1 with payments of $375 per month, and $18,000 on car #2 with payments of $425 per month. The couple owes $60,000 in credit card debt with an average interest rate of 9.9%. One spouse had surgery, and the medical bills total $12,000. Additionally, the couple has fallen three months behind on their $1,000 per month mortgage payments, due to missed time and income at work due the surgery. The mortgage company is threatening foreclosure. The total monthly payments toward the credit card debt is $642 per month, which due to interest would take 15 years to pay off. The hospital is demanding payments of $200 per month for its debt.
This couples’ chapter 13 plan would propose the following: A reduction of payments for car #1 to $295 per month, and for car #2 to $350 per month. The $3,000 in missed mortgage payments would be paid at $100 per month with future mortgage payments to be paid under the normal terms of the contract. (Note: Although, I stated that those terms cannot be modified in chapter 13, the arrearage can be). $7,800 would be paid toward the credit card debt with $1,560 paid toward the medical bills with no interest to either. These amounts would be paid by the debtors at $945 per month for 60 months, which is the maximum time allowed for repayment in a chapter 13. The debtors will forward the $945 each month to their assigned chapter 13 trustee, who will escrow the funds, and pay creditors according to the terms of the chapter 13 repayment plan their lawyer will have prepared, such as that above. All of the above debt not paid is discharged (i.e. forgiven) forever. The debtors must successfully complete their plan, and no creditor will ever be able to demand payments other than as stated in the plan.
If you or someone you know is ever faced with the issue, please seek advice from The Cooper Law Firm.