What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy laws were developed to help people who find themselves in a difficult situation due to overwhelming debt they cannot pay.  A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to have your debts discharged and begin to rebuild your financial health.  However, you must qualify for this type of a bankruptcy by passing a “means test”.  This basically means that you must meet certain criteria to be able to file this type of bankruptcy.  Since 2005, the requirements to qualify for this type of bankruptcy have become more stringent, requiring that you show whether you have the means to repay your debt or not.

One advantage of filing for bankruptcy is that all creditor calls and collection action will cease.  Even though your bankruptcy may take several months to be finalized, the harassing calls and other collection activity will stop once your bankruptcy is filed.  When your Chapter 7 bankrputcy is finished, you will receive a Discharge from the bankruptcy court.  Once you receive your Discharge, you will no longer owe the discharged debt.

The types of debts which you can include in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy include credit card bills, personal loans, medical bills, and utility bills.  There are certain types of debts that are exempt from bankruptcy laws and cannot be discharged. These types of debts include but are not limited to:

• Most tax debts to the IRS or the State
• Child support payments
• Alimony or spousal support payments
• Most student loans

If you or your family find yourselves in a situation where you can no longer keep up with your debts and are considering a bankruptcy filing, it is imperative you contact a bankruptcy attorney located in the Chicago area.  An experienced bankruptcy lawyer can advise you and guide to the best course of action.   Let Glanzer & Angres help you decide whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the correct option for you.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Chicago

Finding yourself in crushing financial trouble may seem hopeless; however there is hope and legal options for you.  The Bankruptcy laws were set up to assist someone in just your position.  With the help of a highly skilled lawyer, you have the opportunity to file for bankruptcy and make a new financial start.  However, you do need to qualify for this type of a bankruptcy by passing a “means test”. If you do not qualify to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 may be what is needed.  This test determines whether you have the “means” financially to pay off your debt or not.  This test was established to prevent individuals with high incomes from being able to discharge their debt if they could actually afford to pay.  Chapter 7 also requires that you receive pre-bankruptcy financial counseling within the 6 months prior to the filing.  Because this means test will determine if you qualify for this type of bankruptcy, it is vital you meet with a bankruptcy attorney from Glanzer & Angres prior to taking the test.  Filing any documents incorrectly may cause you to not qualify or delay your bankruptcy needlessly.  We encourage you to contact our office today.

Contact a Chicago Bankruptcy Attorney from Glanzer & Angres if you are considering filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy and need skilled legal counsel.