is your bankruptcy lawyer supposed to help you when you need a modification

by Wiley Hudson 5 min read

The first step is to sit down and speak with a bankruptcy lawyer. Many individuals are unaware that a bankruptcy attorney can help you get a loan modification. Modification of loans can stop a foreclosure, lower your monthly payments, and allow you to stop suffocating in debt.

It is always advised that you get a bankruptcy lawyer to help you with the loan modification process. The process can take a few months and your lawyer will go to status hearings in front of the judge to give them updates on what is going on.Apr 30, 2020

Full Answer

What happens if a bankruptcy modification doesn't work?

If the servicer denies your modification request, in many cases, you'll also get some time to make an appeal. An attorney might be able help you in showcasing why the servicer made an error in denying your application so that you're more likely to get approved for the modification in your appeal. When You Might Not Need an Attorney to Help With a Mortgage Modification. The …

Do I need an attorney to get a mortgage modification?

As an individual in or out of bankruptcy you have the right to speak directly to your mortgage company and request loss mitigation or a loan modification. When you request the package make this your top priority because time is of the essence and you must do everything that they request in order to be considered for the program. Do what your attorney advises you to do while you …

Can a lawyer advise incurring new debt in bankruptcy?

Sometimes everything doesn't go as planned when you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. For instance, if you lose your job, get sick, divorce, or have an unexpected expense like a major car repair, you might have trouble making your Chapter 13 plan payments. Your bankruptcy attorney might suggest that you modify your plan to catch up your payments.

Can I file Chapter 7 bankruptcy after a mortgage modification?

A local bankruptcy lawyer can help you determine whether your property would qualify for a balance reduction. Getting Your Lender to Modify Your Home Mortgage Loan. The lender might modify your home mortgage loan so that the payments are more affordable. Your local bankruptcy lawyer will be in the best position to explain your options.

Can I get a loan modification while in bankruptcy?

The answer is yes. You can obtain a loan modification of your mortgage while you are in an active Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, you must obtain court permission to complete the process. While you are in an active Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you cannot incur new debt without permission from the Bankruptcy Court.

What is a bankruptcy modification?

If you request a modification the Court can review your entire situation, and the Court will often asked for updated payroll information and other financial details. The Court also has the ability to modify your case in different ways. The most common modification is probably a change in your monthly payments.Aug 30, 2017

What is considered a hardship for a loan modification?

Some of the most common types of hardship are: job loss, pay reduction, underemployment, declining business revenue, death of a coborrower, illness, injury, and divorce.

What do you need for a loan modification?

Qualifying for a Loan ModificationYou have to be suffering a financial hardship. ... You have to show you cannot afford your current mortgage payments. ... You have to be able to show that you can stay current on a modified payment schedule. ... The property has to be your primary residence to qualify for a HAMP modification.

Can I change bankruptcy trustee?

The Bankruptcy Act provides that a bankruptcy trustee may be removed by way of a resolution at a meeting of creditors. It follows therefore, that a meeting must first be called before any resolution can be passed.May 7, 2021

What is a plan modification?

Plan modification is characterized as a process of removing inconsistencies in the validation structure of a plan when it is being reused in a new (changed) planning situation.

Why would you be denied a loan modification?

There are many reasons a lender might deny an application for a loan modification or claim you don't qualify for one, including but not limited to: An incomplete or untimely loan modification application. Insufficient finances to afford a modified payment.Apr 15, 2021

What happens after a loan modification is approved?

After the loan modification is complete, your mortgage payment will decrease permanently. The amount you'll have to pay depends on the type of changes your lender makes to your existing mortgage loan.Dec 12, 2019

How much income do you need for a loan modification?

To qualify for a loan modification under federal laws, the borrower's surplus income must total at least $300 and must constitute at least 15 percent of his or her monthly income.Oct 18, 2021

Can you negotiate a loan modification offer?

A loan modification can change the principal of the loan, the interest rate, and other terms to make the loan more affordable. However, a lender must agree to the loan modification, which means borrowers must negotiate with them.Dec 20, 2019

How long does it take for a loan modification to be approved?

The loan modification process typically takes six (6) months to nine (9) months depending mostly on your bank and your ability to efficiently work through the process with your attorney.Jun 5, 2013

What is a rate modification?

Getting a mortgage loan modification could mean extending the length of your term, lowering your interest rate or changing from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate loan. Though the terms of your modification are up to the lender, the outcome is lower, more affordable monthly mortgage payments.

Understanding Mortgage Modifications

Before you can figure out if you should hire an attorney to help you with a mortgage modification, you must first understand the basics about modif...

When You Should Consider Hiring An Attorney to Help With Your Mortgage Modification

Below are some situations where you should consider hiring, or at least consulting with, an attorney.

When You Might Not Need An Attorney to Help With A Mortgage Modification

The following are a few situations where you probably don’t need to hire an attorney to assist with the modification process.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Your Mortgage

If you file (and qualify) for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and your home is exempt, you can continue to make your mortgage payments if you want to keep you...

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Your Mortgage

Chapter 13 bankrupcy does not affect your home mortgage. You continue to make your mortgage payments during and after the bankruptcy.If you are beh...

Modifying Mortgages: Cram Downs

In some instances, you can modify a mortgage in Chapter 13 bankruptcy so that the new principal equals the actual value of your home. For example,...

Getting Your Lender to Modify Your Home Loan

You can always try to get the lender to modify your home loan so that the payments are more affordable. To learn more about the new government prog...

What do you need to know before you can file for bankruptcy?

Before receiving a hardship discharge, you'll have to convince the bankruptcy judge that you're suffering from more than just a temporary job loss or disability. Qualifying for a hardship discharge requires you to show that your circumstances will likely be permanent, meaning that you probably won't be in a position to make your Chapter 13 plan payments before your plan term ends.

What happens when you file Chapter 13?

When you start a Chapter 13 case, you file a packet of documents with the court. One of those documents is your proposed Chapter 13 plan. At this point, your proposed plan is temporary until the court, trustee, and your creditors have a chance to review and object to it if they wish. If no one objects or all objections get resolved, then the court will "confirm" (finalize) your plan.

How long does a Chapter 13 plan last?

Chapter 13 Plan Modification: Timing. Since a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lasts three to five years, it's only natural that your life won't remain constant during that time. Events such as job loss, illness, or an emergency can affect your ability to afford your bankruptcy plan payments.

What are student loans?

student loans. most federal, state, and local taxes, plus any amounts borrowed to pay those taxes. child support, alimony, and debts resulting from a divorce or separation decree. fines or restitution imposed in a criminal proceeding. debts for death or personal injury resulting from intoxicated driving, and.

Do you have to pay taxes on a Chapter 13?

You must pay particular debts in your Chapter 13 plan, including some taxes and all domestic support obligations (these are priority debts), as well as any mortgage arrears on properties you wish to keep. Filers with this kind of debt often run into problems when attempting a modification. Here's why.

How does bankruptcy work?

Here's how it works. If you don't have enough equity in your home to secure the second or more junior mortgages, then the bankruptcy court can "strip" the liens securing the mortgages and reclassify the debt as unsecured. This debt then gets paid off through your repayment plan.

What happens if you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, most or all of your debts are discharged. In exchange, the trustee is entitled to sell your nonexempt property and use the proceeds to pay your unsecured creditor. That means that if your home has a significant amount of nonexempt equity, the trustee will sell it. To learn if your home has nonexempt equity, see Chapter 7 Homestead Exemption.

Does bankruptcy affect mortgage payments?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy does not affect your home mortgage. You continue to make your mortgage payments during and after the bankruptcy. If you are behind in mortgage payments, you can pay off the arrears through your Chapter 13 repayment plan (which lasts three to five years). As long as you make your current mortgage payments ...

Can you modify a mortgage in bankruptcy?

In some instances, you can modify a mortgage in Chapter 13 bankruptcy so that the new principal equals the actual value of your home. For example, if your mortgage is $500,000 but the property value has declined to $300,000, you could modify the mortgage amount to $300,000.

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Can you keep your home if you file for bankruptcy?

If you file (and qualify) for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and your home is exempt, you can continue to make your mortgage payments if you want to keep your home. Although the bankruptcy will discharge your personal liability for the home loan at the end of the case, the lender's security interest in the property remains in force. So, if you don't make your payments, the lender can foreclose.

How Can a Bankruptcy Lawyer Help Me?

A bankruptcy lawyer works with clients who are struggling with heavy debts and bankruptcy. Some people are able to go through the process of bankruptcy on their own, but not everyone feels ready to do this. Overcoming financial struggles is not always easy and many people may find advantages to hiring a bankruptcy lawyer.

Deciding to Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer

The decision to hire a bankruptcy lawyer is no small task. You have to consider the costs and benefits of hiring a lawyer. You may consider costs to be lawyer fees and other legal expenses. Any benefits may be relatively unknown at first if you have not looked deeply into what bankruptcy lawyers can do.

Seeking Discharge During Bankruptcy

Your bankruptcy lawyer might be able to help you seek discharge during bankruptcy to avoid paying certain debts. Bankruptcy discharge means a legal decision has been made to free you from paying off a debt you owe. This legal action is a permanent order that prevents your creditors from holding you liable for not paying the debt you owe them.

Contact a Las Vegas Bankruptcy Lawyer

When you are struggling with massive debt and bankruptcy, you may find yourself feeling like there is no way out. This is when one of our Nevada bankruptcy attorneys might be able to help you. We are prepared to defend your rights and collect the evidence you need for a strong case.

Accounting for modification

I got a glimpse of what we face when my client requested a loan payoff in connection with a sale.

Mortgage modifications to the rescue

Mortgage modifications were supposed to save both individual homeowners and the economy as a whole.

Rotten record keeping

The casualness with which servicers approached modifications has scared me for sometime.

When was the $200/month clunker adder disallowed?

The $200/month clunker adder the the operation deduction was disallowed by the 9th Circuit BAP in April 2014. The three judge panel held that bankruptcy law does not incorporate all of the provisions of the IRS Manual, just because it uses some part of the IRS standards.

What happens if you fail the means test?

The consequence of failing the means test is that you must file Chapter 13 for bankruptcy relief. Chapter 13 may or may not be a good fit for you. But we all like to have choices. Just be scrupulous that you tell the truth on the loan application. Don’t sign it without reading it carefully.

What happens to your property after bankruptcy?

You Expect a Windfall. Any property you own or money you expect to receive will be property of your bankruptcy estate after you file a bankruptcy case. To protect your property, you have to claim exemptions, which are available under either federal or state law.

What is means test in bankruptcy?

The bankruptcy means test is a form that uses your income over the past six months to determine important issues, such as whether you qualify for Chapter 7, how long your Chapter 13 plan must be and how much you must pay into the Chapter 13 plan. Because the means test is a calculation of your average gross income over the six-month period prior ...

What is preferred creditor?

A preference occurs when, within a certain time period before filing bankruptcy, while you are insolvent, you pay more than $600 in aggregate to one creditor and put that creditor in a better position than other creditors (you are "preferring" one creditor over another).

Can you file bankruptcy to modify a mortgage?

If you're working with your mortgage lender to modify your home mortgage, you may want to wait to file bankruptcy to see if the modification pans out. Bankruptcy will typically cause mortgage lenders to back out of loan modification programs and foreclose unless you file a Chapter 13 and propose to cure the payment arrears.

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Can you give away property and receive nothing?

Giving away property or transferring money and receiving nothing in return within two years prior to filing bankruptcy may be viewed unfavorably, regardless of your intentions when you did so. This is called a fraudulent transfer, and although the name implies an intent to defraud, you do not need the intent.

What happens when a bankruptcy lawyer files for a mortgage modification?

During this time, the bankruptcy lawyer will submit a request for loss mitigation with the Bankruptcy Court. If the judge allows the request for loss mitigation, the lender and debtor will work together to get a mortgage modification.

Why do lenders modify mortgages?

A lender may modify a mortgage loan to avoid the foreclosure process. Foreclosure can be an extremely costly process. Banks want to get paid, and if they believe you can afford to pay them, they will be willing to give you a mortgage modification.

What is a refinance loan?

A refinance is a new loan. When a person refinances their mortgage they reduce the interest rate to make the terms more favorable. The refinance process is done directly with the mortgage lender.

How does Chapter 7 modification work?

Doing the modification process through the Bankruptcy Court in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can make the loan modification easier and much more efficient. Judges oversee the whole process to ensure that the bank is working with the individual. This means they can’t play the games they normally would if you did it on your own. The judges usually try and push the banks to give individuals modifications to help them save their homes.

Can bankruptcy stop foreclosure?

If you are on the brink of a foreclosure auction, filing bankruptcy can stop the foreclosure sale of your home. Filing bankruptcy allows you to take advantage of the automatic stay. The automatic stay prevents creditors from foreclosing on your home as soon as your bankruptcy petition is filed. Filing bankruptcy can allow you to eliminate your debt through a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 and give you some breathing room to make your mortgage payments.

Do bankruptcy attorneys work with banks?

Bankruptcy attorneys work with banks hand in hand. Many attorneys have helped individuals get modifications which can be a long, confusing process. Many times when individuals try to apply for a mortgage modification on their own, the banks play games. In the past, we have had clients come to our office and tell us that the banks lost their paperwork, keep requesting the same information, and are not willing to extend a modification.