Bankruptcy Help For Creditors

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.

http://www.azb.uscourts.gov/video-discussion-reaffirmation

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.