General Questions
Step 2 of 3
Your answers to these general questions will help me to understand your unique situation, including what you have done or has been done to you. Many people make decisions that do not lead to problems outside bankruptcy, but in a bankruptcy those same innocent decisions can be disastrous. Based on your answers I will customize my advice with the goal of helping you avoid problems, if possible.
I realize this is a lot of information, but accurate information will be your best friend. A friend of mine says “garbage in, garbage out”. He is correct because if I get the wrong information from you I will most likely give you the wrong legal advice.
THE FOLLOWING ARE GENERAL QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR CURRENT SITUATION. IF YOU ARE MARRIED PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO EITHER YOU AND/OR YOUR SPOUSE.
If the landlord already has a court order, bankruptcy might buy you a couple of weelks, but it will not stop the eviction. Bankruptcy will elminate most of your debts, like medical bills, credit cards, personal loans, and some old taxes.
NOTE: If the social media setting is set to "public" then anyone, including creditors and collection companies, can see all the posts. Consider using "private" settings in order to protect you and your family from unwanted stalking.
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS RELATE TO CERTAIN ISSUES THAT DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT IS APPROPRIATE TO FILE A BANKRUPTCY AND, IF SO, WHEN TO FILE.
Understand that only the debts you owe on the day of filing the bankruptcy will be dealt with in the bankruptcy. But any new debts you incur after bankruptcy will be your obligation.
Understand that you will be required to surrender any inheritance after bankruptcy to your creditors. In Chapter 7 that surrender period is 6 months; in Chapter 13, it is the life of the plan (3-5 years).
Understand that any refunds not collected and spent properly by the date a bankruptcy is filed will be paid to the bankruptcy trustee.
Such as: a car accident. How much are you owed and for what?
This would include houses, land, cars, businesses, generally any items of value. It is best to explain the circumstances so we can discuss any issues.
If the IRS has a lien at the time property was transferred, then the bankruptcy trustee can step into the IRS's shoes and attempt to avoid the transfer and collect funds that are owed to the IRS - Section 544(b).
For instance, using a vehicle to obtain a loan, such as a title loan. It is best to explain the circumstances, so we can discuss any issues.
Paying family and friends back while not paying other bills can be a problem. Please talk to me about the ramifications.
CREDIT CARDS, BANKS AND OTHER DEBTS:
Business debts include some student loans, taxes, or loans, credit card charges, or leases used for business purposes.
*Make sure to include debts for investment properties as secured business debts. *Also include any monies you charged on your personal credit cards but used for business purposes.
PPP loans are payroll protection loans, or COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), plus there were several other types of SBA loans offered.
What did you use the funds for? The lender will want specific details. Make sure to have good business records.
If under $25,000, no collateral or guarantee is required. If over $100,000 of collateral was required on the business, if $200,000 or more, a loan on your home was required.
IMPORTANT: If you are closing the business, you are required to send the lender and/or SBA a notice that the business is closed and where the business assets are located. Keep a copy of that letter because this could become very important.
This is very important.
Answer "yes" if you have any old or new credit cards or signature loans that are not paid in full at this time. Answer "yes" even if the creditor "wrote off" the debt. To write off a debt does not mean the debt is gone, it means the creditor will most likely sell it to a debt collector.
You only need to provide the year and approximate date and month. It is okay to guess as to the day and month, but not the year.
Briefly explain the total amount charged in the last 3 months, and how the funds were used.
It is better to include all transfers or charges so we can discuss the specifics in more detail.
We will talk about secured debts.
BEWARE: I DO NOT RECOMMEND BANKING AT WELLS FARGO IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BANKRUPTCY (THEY MAY FREEZE YOUR ACCOUNTS). BEFORE CLOSING ANY ACCOUNT(S), GET 12 MONTHS OF BANK STATEMENTS (YOU WILL NEED THESE LATER).
If bankruptcy is in the future please move to a new bank now, after you get 12 months of bank statements. Request and use a debit card.
DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON ANY ACCOUNT WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND DO NOT PUT YOUR MONEY INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S BANK ACCOUNT.
If yes - you should remove them as an authorized user prior to filing a bankruptcy. Talk to Diane about this issue.
If you file bankruptcy, this may become an issue. Talk to Diane
If so, please list it at the end of this form when asked about any type of income. Also, you MUST have Social Security or the VA put those funds into a completely separate account. Ask Diane for instructions on how to protect those funds in a segregated bank account. If you do this right those funds will be protected.
In other words, were the returns filed after the date they were due, including extensions.
For instance: 2013 federal return, no extension, filed November 2014. Owe $2,400.
If so, this debt may survive the bankruptcy.
Beware of a cross-collateralized accounts with your credit union. I will explain what this means when we talk.
BEWARE: CREDIT UNIONS HAVE A SECURED CLAIM ON ANY OF THEIR ACCOUNTS, THIS MAY INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY. IF YOU DO NOT PAY A DEBT OWED TO THE CREDIT UNION, THEY CAN SEIZE ANY MONIES THEY ARE HOLDING. MOVE TO A NEW BANK.
Most credit unions tie all your loans to any secured debts "cross-collateralized". Which means credit cards and personal loans are tied to your mortgage or vehicle loan.
WARNING: Beware of an cross-collateralized accounts with your credit union.
Several types of loans associated with education expenses are dischargeable in bankruptcy, like most other types of unsecured consumer debt. These types of loans for education expenses are not subject to the more difficult standard and extra step. These loans could include, for example:
*Loans where the loan amount was higher than the cost of attendance (such as tuition, books, room, and board), which can occur when a loan is paid directly to a consumer.
*Loans to pay for education at places that are not eligible for Title IV funding such as unaccredited colleges, a school in a foreign country, or unaccredited training and trade certificate programs.
*Loans made to cover fees and living expenses incurred while studying for the bar exam or other professional exams.
*Loans made to cover fees, living expenses, and moving costs associated with medical or dental residency.
*Loans to a student attending school less than half-time.
Link to find out more about student loan programs: https://studentaid.gov/idr/ and Student Loan forgiveness: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/student-loan-forgiveness/
A separate action is filed in the Bankruptcy Court and will involve additional legal assistance.This firm does not bring student loan complaints.We will try to provide you with recommendations for attorneys who may be able to help.
2023: There is a new process that might be used to address student loans in bankruptcy, assuming you have pursued the administrative options outside bankruptcy. Make sure to discuss this with Diane.
The school that had to surrender the tuition may then require the student to pay the tuition or they may withhold the diploma or information regarding the status of classes until the tuition is paid. This is a changing area of law.
If so, these may not be discharged in bankruptcy.
If so, these may not be discharged in a bankruptcy.
If so, these may not be discharged in bankruptcy.
If so, these may not be discharged in bankruptcy.
HOME, LAND AND VEHICLES
What are you leasing: an apartment or other? When does the lease expire?
IMPORTANT NOTE: YOU MUST FILE AN ASSUMPTION OF A RESIDENTIAL LEASE WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER YOUR BANKRUPTCY IS FILED, OR YOUR LANDLORD COULD TERMINATE YOUR LEASE.
If you said you are not renting and don't own a home, please explain where you live. "Own" means your name is on title to a home, condo, or any other place you live, even if it is paid in full (no mortgage).
If so, check with your lender/servicer to make certain bankruptcy will not interfere with the loan modification.
If so, 522(p) may restrict your exemption below the amount allowed by Arizona law. Discuss with Diane where the money came from to buy your current home.
I am asking what your house/land would sell for in today's market, not what you want it to sell for.
If you have a delinquent mortgage, talk to Diane about a possible loan modification as part of bankruptcy (chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13), called the Mortgage Modification Mediation Program ("MMMP"). A modification is not guaranteed, but Arizona has high success rates. There are specific requirements and additional legal fees. The MMMP delays your discharge in Chapter 7.
How much must be paid to bring the payments current?
If there is a trustee's sale pending, please provide us a copy of trustee sale documents.
**It is your responsibility to confirm the trustee sale date and at all times to keep track of that date and any postponements; including the entire time your bankruptcy is pending. This office will not monitor the date of sale for you, but we be happy to answer your questions regarding the trustee sale process.
VERY IMPORTANT!
VERY IMPORTANT!
VEHICLE INFORMATION
List all vehicles in your name (or your spouse, if any) that are leased, no matter where they are located or who is driving them.
List all the debts on any of the vehicles.
List the fair market value of each vehicle using the resources below. Resources for fair market value: www.kbb.com (YOU MUST USE PRIVATE PARTY VALUE), www.edmunds.com, or www.NADA.com. I cannot give you good advice without an accurate, fair market value.
What are you leasing:? When does the lease expire?
Do not list leased vehicles.
There is a higher exemption for this vehicle if the debtor or dependent is handicapped.
This information should be on the registration.
You must list the Kelly Blue Book private party value - www.KBB.com. I cannot help you without this information.
You must list the Kelly Blue Book private party value - www.KBB.com. I cannot help you without this information.
You must list the Kelly Blue Book private party value - www.KBB.com. I cannot help you without this information.
You must list the Kelly Blue Book private party value - www.KBB.com. I cannot help you without this information.
You must list the Kelly Blue Book private party value - www.KBB.com. I cannot help you without this information.
ASSETS, INCLUDING BUSINESSES:
This includes a business that does not have a formal LLC or corporate name, which is usually a sole proprietorship.
Normally you can value a business by subtracting liabilities (debts, including leases) from assets (including accounts receivable). Just provide us with a general guess.
Such as signing on the business lease or credit card.
This result will differ if you file chapter 11 or 13.
It's crucial that you understand that the bankruptcy trustee or creditors may sell your rights because they are not exempt.
It's crucial that you understand that the bankruptcy trustee or creditors may seize these assets because they are not exempt.
Here is a link the trustees can use to search for these assets: https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/other-topics/other/bankruptcy-trustee-guide#serving-and-communicating-with-coinbase
Such as a home, vehicle, business, bank account, etc.
For instance - my name is on my mother's trust, but she is in excellent health and does not have valuable property.
It is important to discuss if these contributions were required as part of your employment.
It is important that you talk to your plan administrator or CPA in order to determine if all changes following the regulations governing the retirement plan. Failure to follow the regulations could result in losing your retirement plan in bankruptcy.
Spend any HSA or similar funds before filing a bankruptcy.
Inherited 401K are NOT property of the estate. But inherited IRAs ARE, but Arizona has an exemption for inherited IRAs (with some exceptions). If you have any inherited retirement accounts, make sure to discuss this with Diane.
- NOTE: it is very important to make absolutely certain that your retirement accounts are ERISA qualified. You can talk to your employer, HR, or plan administrator, or the word ERISA may be on your plan summary..
WARNING - THE ACCOUNT MUST BE ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS. ANY MONIES DEPOSITED IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE FILING BANKRUPTCY ARE NOT PROTECTED. THERE ARE ADDITIONAL LIMITS ON THE AMOUNTS CONTRIBUTED WITHIN CERTAIN TIME PERIODS.
MISCELLANEOUS
If there was more than one divorce, please explain who and when.
Sole and separate assets are those brought into the marriage, given to you (or your spouse) during marriage by someone who is not your spouse, inherited, or purchased from income of your sole and separate property and THAT WERE NEVER COMINGLED. Make sure to include the resale value.
In other words, did any business or person (parent, friend, or ex-spouse) sign on any of your debts, or did you sign on their debts? For example, a parent is a co-debtor if they sign a loan on a vehicle with their child.
Like those horrible title or registration loans.
(If so, YOU MUST -- USE ACTUAL REPLACEMENT VALUE (506(a)(2)) and additional legal action will be necessary in Bankruptcy Court.)
IMPORTANT: IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS APPLY TO YOU THEN WE WILL NEED TO DISCUSS THE CONSQUENCES OF FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY.
Thanks, only one more section to go!
Please proceed to the final step of this financial Information and we will have all we need to schedule your free consultation.
WARNING: TO AVOID LOSING YOUR INFORMATION DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER OR LEAVE THIS SITE UNTIL THE FORM IS SUBMITTED (YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION WHEN IT IS SUBMITTED). PLEASE NOTE - WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ANY INFORMATION UNTIL THE FORM IS SUBMITTED.