Bankruptcy For Creditors
After years of helping both creditors and debtors through bankruptcy, I've decided to focus solely on helping debtors. But I'm happy to give you names of excellent creditor lawyers.
Consider bankruptcy an area of law that holds our lives together and keeps our economy flourishing and healthy. Allow bankruptcy law the credit it deserves. It enables individuals and corporations to restart their lives. Allows them to pay their taxes, buy food and other requirements, or pay their employees so that they can purchase food and other essentials.
All of this and more is why I am ecstatic to be able to assist debtors in understanding bankruptcy.
Diane L. Drain
Creditors Bankruptcy FAQs
Examine all loan and security paperwork to confirm that they are comprehensive and that all necessary measures to perfect liens on any collateral supporting the obligation have been taken. If not, never take any action without first obtaining an order from the bankruptcy court. This is a critical phase that determines the strength of a secured creditor's position in the case. Section 506 explains how a secured claim's value is determined. Although correcting inadequacies after the filing of the petition may be a violation of the automatic stay, it is critical to be aware of any issues. The secured creditor may have a period of time to perfect the creditor's lien when the debtor gets possession of property or a transfer is made under Section 547(c)(3) and (e).
The secured creditor or landlord may ask the debtor to sign a new contract called a "reaffirmation agreement" or "assumption of lease" after the bankruptcy is filed but before the discharge is issued. This new contract has the same terms as the original, and Sections 524(c) and (k) describe the paperwork, disclosures, and procedures that the creditor must follow in order to get this new contract. It must be approved by the Court in order for the debtor to be bound by it. Because 524(k)(5)(B) requires the debtor's attorney to certify that the debtor will be able to make the payments, it's likely that no debtor's counsel will sign the reaffirmation agreement. This is not only absurd, but it also begs the question of how anyone could certify someone's ability to pay a future debt.
Below is a link to a video of Bankruptcy Judge Eileen W. Hollowell, filmed explaining the reaffirmation process.
Look for a reason to object to a debt being discharged under Sections 523 or 727. Creditors have only 60 days from the date of the initial creditors' meeting to initiate a complaint to have their debts declared non-dischargeable due to a misleading financial statement. A creditor's chances of winning a non-dischargeable lawsuit are slim, and the creditor will almost always be denied attorney's fees and expenses for filing the action.
Creditors will be notified of an initial meeting of creditors (Section 341, Meeting of Creditors) to be held by the bankruptcy trustee shortly after a bankruptcy is filed. You are welcome to attend the Section 341, Creditors' Meeting, but it is not compulsory. This meeting allows the creditor to ask the debtor a few questions about the creditor's claim, collateral, other claims against the debtor, the debtor's plans for its bankruptcy case, and other financial matters. Time if short, so I t is not appropriate to interrogate the Debtor at this time (check out 2004 examinations). This is an excellent moment to inform the Trustee (the person in charge of the meeting) of any inconsistencies detected in the schedules by the creditor. Make sure you can back up any claims you make. The meeting might be attended by either the creditor or its counsel.
An order granting a Motion for Relief from the Automatic Stay, often known as a "stay order," is obtained by filing a Motion, Notice, and Certificate of Mailing with the court, as well as notifying the appropriate parties. The Debtor is given the opportunity to respond. A hearing will be conducted if a response is filed. An Order, Certificate of No Objection, must be submitted with the Court if no response is filed. The Order will most likely be signed by the Court. The creditor is free to proceed with the action requested in the Motion and granted in the Order once the signed order is received.
Creditors Rights in Arizona
The legal term "Creditor's Rights" refers to the area of practice for lawyers that concentrates on creditors' rights and obligations. The Bankruptcy Code has numerous provisions to assist creditors and protect their interests if a bankruptcy petition is filed.
Creditors Rights in Bankruptcy
Attorneys who specialize in creditors rights will typically do one or more of the following:
- To collect consumer debts, file lawsuits and employ other legal means (i.e. debts owed by individuals).
- To collect commercial debts, file lawsuits and utilize other legal collection procedures (i.e. debts owed by businesses).
- In a bankruptcy procedure, represent the interests of a creditor.
- If a buyer defaults on a payment, conduct a foreclosure or trustee's sale of the property.
- If the buyer defaults on payment, the secured items (such as autos) can be recovered.
- As needed, garnish paychecks or bank accounts.
- Non-exempt property can be sold at a sheriff's sale.
- Other contractual and legal remedies may be pursued.
Attorneys may charge an hourly rate or a flat fee. Fees and charges are usually determined by:
- The bankruptcy chapter (Chapters 7, 11, or 13);
- What you wish to achieve;
- The extent to which the borrower will oppose your goals.
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