Whenever any bankruptcy case is filed, the banks are usually stopped from taking action to collect the debts that were owed at the time of the bankruptcy. This feature of bankruptcy is called the “automatic stay.” The automatic stay, if it applies, stops a foreclosure or repossession from going forward. However, no Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing allows you to keep property that is security for a loan without making payments on the loan. For example, folks with home mortgages and vehicle loans cannot keep their homes and vehicles without making payments. As soon as the bankruptcy case is closed, the automatic stay terminates, and the bank can proceed with foreclosure or repossession. Moreover, if you are not current on payments, bank may ask the court to terminate the automatic stay while the bankruptcy is still pending, and, in Chapter 7, banks are usually able to terminate the automatic stay. In order to keep property that is security for a loan in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you often must enter into a “reaffirmation agreement” with the bank who holds the lien on that property.
If you are behind on a home or vehicle loan and can not get caught up, you may want to ask your Bankruptcy Attorney about Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy can enable you to get caught up on the your home loan and even pay what you are behind on the loan through the Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan.
As always, give us a call to schedule a free, no obligation appointment to discuss your situation.
Saving Your Home using Bankruptcy
