Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates credit card debt, medical bills and unsecured loans; however, there are some debts that cannot be discharged. Those debts include child support, spousal support obligations, student loans, judgments for damages resulting from drunk driving accidents, and most unpaid taxes.
The bankruptcy means test examines financial records, including income, expenses, secured and unsecured debt to determine if your disposable income is below the median income (50% lower, 50% higher) for your state. The means test income level varies from state to state.
The median income information is used by the bankruptcy court when determining whether or not an individual qualifies for relief under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, and also is used in determining the applicable commitment period for payment plans filed under chapter 13.
If you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition and it is a “no asset” case, your spending after filing should reflect what you stated on your schedules. If either your income or your expenses change considerably while still in Chapter 7, again, you should consult with your attorney.
Your Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee will likely check your bank accounts at least once during the process of overseeing your filing. They have a right to perform a full audit of your accounts or check them any time it is necessary. However, it is rare for them to keep close tabs on every account.
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy will generally discharge your unsecured debts, such as credit card debt, medical bills and unsecured personal loans. The court will discharge these debts at the end of the process, generally about four to six months after you start.
There is no ceiling on the amount of debt with which you can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 also is often preferred over Chapter 13 because it wipes out debt and doesn't involve repayment.
Look at Your Disposable Income If your disposable income after expenses is less than $128, you qualify for Chapter 7 under the means test. If it's more than $214, you do not qualify.
10 yearsA Chapter 7 bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years from the date the bankruptcy was filed, while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will fall off your report seven years after the filing date. After the allotted seven or 10 years, the bankruptcy will automatically fall off your credit report.
Some banks will freeze your account as soon as they find out about the bankruptcy. They do it to protect the assets for creditors. In most cases, you or your attorney can ask the bankruptcy trustee to contact the bank and release the freeze. The trustee will likely do so if you're entitled to the funds.
After you file for bankruptcy protection, your creditors can't call you, or try to collect payment from you for medical bills, credit card debts, personal loans, unsecured debts, or other types of debt.