Summary: It takes approximately four months to obtain a discharge after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy and approximately thirty six or sixty months after filing chapter 13 bankruptcy.
When you decide to file for bankruptcy many steps need to happen before your debts are forgiven and you can start rebuilding your financial future. We are often asked: How long does it take to discharge a bankruptcy? This article will discuss the length of time it takes to obtain a bankruptcy discharge. A bankruptcy discharge is an important step because it will take the debt burden off your shoulders so that you can begin to look forward.
Bankruptcy is governed by the Federal rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and local bankruptcy court Rules. We’re going to take a closer look at bankruptcy discharge as well as how long this part of the process takes. We’ll also learn what types of debts are and are not included in the bankruptcy discharge process.
Bankruptcy discharge means that the debtor is released from personal liability for certain types of debts. If you owe money on certain debts, you will no longer be required to pay them. This prevents creditors from taking action on any money that was owed.
Unless there are legal proceedings that involve objections to the discharge, assuming the debtor complies with all requirements, the debtor will usually receive a discharge. The bankruptcy court will mail a copy of the order to all creditors. They are not allowed to contact the debtor in any way regarding the debt. If they do, the debtor can file a motion with the court and ask that the case be reopened. The bankruptcy court will usually agree to ensure that the discharge order is not being violated.
Filing for bankruptcy may not erase all of your debts. Before filing bankruptcy, your bankruptcy attorney will explain which debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy. Qualifying debt typically includes credit card debts, medical bills, and personal loans.
Car loans and other secured loans are a bit more tricky since they are generally dischargeable but the lender may end up repossessing the car or collateral if you choose not to reaffirm and properly make timely payments regarding those debts.
Knowing the types of debt that can’t be discharged is important because it can help determine whether or not filing for bankruptcy is right for you. If most of your debts fall under any of the above categories, you’ll want to carefully think about your decision. The debts discharged vary under each chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. If you are concerned about a specific debt, it’s best to check where it stands in terms of the type of bankruptcy you’re filing.
Knowing the types of debt that can’t be discharged is important because it can help determine whether or not filing for bankruptcy is right for you. If most of your debts fall under any of the above categories, you’ll want to carefully think about your decision. The debts discharged vary under each chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. If you are concerned about a specific debt, it’s best to check where it stands in terms of the type of bankruptcy you’re filing.
Before filing bankruptcy you should obtain a free copy of your credit report and review it with your bankruptcy lawyer. Your bankruptcy attorney will review your debts and recommend if a bankruptcy filing is the best path towards debt relief.
Although the short answer is no, your attorney plays a key role in your discharge not being delayed. Declaring bankruptcy requires compliance with federal rules and the United states bankruptcy code. An attorney that has filed many bankruptcy cases should be able to guide you towards a timely final discharge.
Filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy or chapter 13 will not automatically result in a discharge order from the bankruptcy judge. Yo must follow these steps to obtain a discharge promptly:
The court will not grant a discharge until you complete your financial management course which can be completed online.
A Trustee will be assigned to your case after you file bankruptcy . The Trustee will review your bankruptcy petition, bankruptcy forms and will review your case. The Trustee can request information and failure to comply or provide incorrect information can can result in your Trustee requesting that the bankruptcy Judge deny your discharge. As part of the bankruptcy process, the Trustee will preside over your creditors meeting. Credit card companies typically don’t appear at those meetings.
Before filing for bankruptcy protection, the attorney will advise you to commence gathering documents that your Trustee will need from you.
In a chapter 7 bankruptcy case, the debtor may not always be granted a discharge. A creditor can file an objection which then starts a lawsuit. The court can deny a discharge for several reasons including:
Under chapters 13 and 11 cases, the debtor is usually entitled to a discharge after completing the agreed-upon payment plan.
When people file for bankruptcy they want their debts discharged as quickly as possible. The exact timing will depend on what chapter bankruptcy was filed. In chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court typically grants the discharge quickly. This can happen about four months after bankruptcy is filed with the court.
Under chapters 11 and 13 bankruptcies, the court generally grants the discharge once the debtor completes all payments under the plan. With these types of bankruptcies, a payment plan can take anywhere from 3-5 years. Typically, a bankruptcy discharge is made about four years after the filing date.
After a bankruptcy discharge is granted, a debtor can decide to voluntarily repay a debt. This happens in cases when a family member may be owed money and the debtor wants to fulfill an obligation.
A bankruptcy discharge can get revoked under circumstances. A creditor may request that a discharge get revoked in a chapter 7 bankruptcy case if they believe the discharge was obtained fraudulently. A request to revoke a discharge must be made within one year that it was granted.
In chapters 11, 12, and 13 cases, a discharge can get revoked if it was obtained through fraudulent means.
If you’re facing bankruptcy and have questions, the team at Stiberman Law can help. With more than 13 years of experience in bankruptcy law, we can guide you along the process. Call us today at (954) 922-2283 to schedule a free consultation with a Florida bankruptcy attorney.
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