Bankruptcy and Second Mortgage

BILL'S ANSWER

I cannot say whether a bankruptcy will be able to remove the $180,000 outstanding second mortgage balance. How bankruptcy will affect your debt will depend on what type of bankruptcy you are able to file. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy protection, I encourage you to consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney in your state to determine if bankruptcy can help you resolve your debts. You can learn more about the different types of bankruptcy by visiting the Bills.com Web resource page Types of bankruptcy.

Many homeowners facing foreclosure choose to file for bankruptcy protection, either to try to stop the foreclosure proceedings, or to discharge any debt resulting from the foreclosure. There are two basic types of consumer bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also called a liquidation bankruptcy, a bankruptcy trustee will examine your assets, and if you have any assets which are not exempt, sell those non-exempt assets to repay your creditors. Once your non-exempt assets have been sold to pay your creditors, all remaining unsecured debts will be discharged by the bankruptcy court, including any deficiency balance resulting from your foreclosure. Many people who file for Chapter 7 protection are able to keep all of their property because they have no non-exempt property. Each state has its own schedule of exempt assets, so you should consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney in your state to find out if Chapter 7 is a workable solution for your situation. An attorney will also be able to tell you if you qualify to file Chapter 7 under the new guidelines enacted by Congress in 2005.

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy, also called a “wage-earner's bankruptcy,” allows you to propose a plan to repay creditors over time — usually five years. Your monthly payment amount will be based on your monthly disposable income as defined by the bankruptcy code. After you have made payments to your creditors for five years, any remaining unsecured debts will be discharged. Chapter 13 is commonly used by debtors whose assets exceed the exemptions offered by state law. It is also used by many consumer debtors who do not qualify for Chapter 7 relief under the means test, which went into effect in 2005 with the Bankruptcy Reform Act.

If you are considering filing bankruptcy, you should consult with an attorney to find out if bankruptcy will benefit your financial situation. I encourage you to read more about bankruptcy at the Bills.com Bankruptcy Information page.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.

Best,

Bill

bills.com