The Free Bankruptcy Evaluation
The FREE, no-obligation evaluation forms, that are found on FilingBankruptcy.org, can be used to gain access to a bankruptcy attorney in your area. It is important to speak with a local attorney about your specific financial situation, before making any major decisions. Get your FREE Case Review, then you will have the proper information to decide if filing for bankruptcy is the right decision for you.
The Basics Of Filing Personal Bankruptcy
General Information about Ch. 7 and Ch. 13 Bankruptcy
Deciding to file for bankruptcy can be difficult. It can also be a fresh start toward a new
life. The type of bankruptcy that is best for you depends upon your individual situation.
To learn some of the basics about the different types of bankruptcy and how they work, please read on. To discuss filing bankruptcy with a bankruptcy attorney, please fill in the Free, No Obligation Evaluation Form. You will be contacted by a local bankruptcy attorney who will talk with you and help you evaluate the best course of action for your specific situation.
Just taking these first steps will help you feel better, and will help you take control of your financial future. Read more
Qualifying to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Of all the bankruptcy options, Chapter 7 may be the most dramatic. Typical cases take only a few months, and are designed to completely eliminate all of a filer’s debts related to credit cards, medical bills, utility bills and personal loans.
Because Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be so effective and sweeping when clearing out unsecured debts, Congress established a set of requirements that must be met before a person is able to file.
The Bankruptcy Means Test
The bankruptcy means test, as it is known, was part of the new bankruptcy laws of 2005. In order to file Chapter 7, you’ll need to pass the means test.
The good news is, the means test is not an actual exam. It is a measurement of “true need,” and a bankruptcy lawyer can take you through the test and, in short order, let you know if you qualify.
Basically, it works by taking into account your income, your debt and the size of your family, to determine if you truly do need Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
This may sound intimidating, but it’s not designed to be the roadblock it may seem. The means test is in place to prevent people from taking advantage of the system. That’s a testament to the power of Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
How the bankruptcy means test works
While the specifics of the means test vary from state-to-state, the workings are the same.
Generally speaking, if you earn less than the median annual income in your state, you should qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The median income is the center-line of all annual incomes in the state. It is unique to each state, and includes different income levels based on the size of your family. For example, for means test purposes, the median income for a family of four is typically higher than that for a family of two.
Also, the median income for the means test changes every year in every state.
This may sound like a high bar, but more people may qualify than you think. In most states, the median income for 2009 was between $40,000 and 50,000 for a single earner. For a four-person family, the median income was above $70,000 for many states in 2009.
To find out if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and to learn more about how filing for bankruptcy can impact your debt, speak with a local bankruptcy lawyer.