What Are 521 Documents in Bankruptcy?

Learn about the information you'll send to the bankruptcy trustee before the 341 meeting of creditors.

What Is a Bank Account Levy?

Learn how a judgment creditor can get to the funds in your bank account to pay down a debt.

What Is a Bankruptcy Estate?

When you file for bankruptcy, your property goes into an estate that's managed by the bankruptcy trustee.

What Is Bankruptcy Fraud?

Committing fraud before or during bankruptcy can result in serious consequences, including a denial of discharge, a fine, or even a criminal conviction.

What Is a Bankruptcy Petition?

Learn about the official form you'll file to start a bankruptcy case.

What Is a Codebtor in Bankruptcy?

You'll list anyone responsible for paying your debt in your bankruptcy paperwork.

What Is a Bankruptcy Discharge?

Learn about the court order that wipes out your debt in bankruptcy.

What Is Consumer Debt in Bankruptcy?

Learn about the differences between consumer debt and business debt.

What Is Credit and Debt Counseling in Bankruptcy?

Learn about the courses an individual must take when filing for bankruptcy.

What Is a Debtor in Bankruptcy?

The debtor is the filer who initiates a bankruptcy case.

What Is Debtor Education in Bankruptcy?

Learn about the post-filing course you must take before you'll get debt wiped out in your bankruptcy case.

What Is Equity?

Find out how much your property is worth to you.

What Is an Executory Contract or Lease in Bankruptcy?

You'll list leases, service agreements, and other active contracts in your bankruptcy paperwork.

What Is Exempt Property?

Learn how the law allows you to protect certain property from creditors.

What Is a Fee Waiver in Bankruptcy?

Individuals who cannot afford the Chapter 7 filing fee can ask the court to waive the fee.

What Is Foreclosure?

Learn about the process that allows a home lender to sell a house when a borrower falls behind on the monthly mortgage payment.

What Is a Foreclosure Sale?

If a borrower falls behind on a mortgage payment, the bank can take steps to sell the home at a foreclosure sale.

What Is Fraud in Bankruptcy?

Learn about common types of bankruptcy fraud.

What Is Wage Garnishment?

Learn how a creditor can force your employer to take money out of your check.

What Is a Lien?

A lien can help a creditor recover money when a borrower stops paying a bill.

What Is Nonexempt Property in Bankruptcy?

Find out about assets that you won't be able to exempt (protect) in bankruptcy.

What Is a Nonpriority Unsecured Claim in Bankruptcy?

Find out which debts get paid last in bankruptcy.

What Is a Priority Claim in Bankruptcy?

Learn about debts that the trustee will pay first in a bankruptcy case.

What Is a Reaffirmation Agreement?

After filing for bankruptcy, you can keep a car or other property that you're paying on by entering into a reaffirmation agreement.

What Does Replacement Cost Mean in Bankruptcy?

Learn how to determine the current value of your property in bankruptcy.

What Is a Secured Claim in Bankruptcy?

Learn about the form a secured creditor must submit to receive payment in bankruptcy.

What Is a Secured Creditor in Bankruptcy?

A secured creditor gets paid first in bankruptcy.

What Is a Secured Debt?

In Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, whether a debt is secured or unsecured makes a big difference in how that debt is treated.

What Is an Unsecured Claim in Bankruptcy?

Find out how a creditor with a debt that isn't guaranteed by property requests payment in bankruptcy.

What is an Unsecured Debt?

Learn about unsecured debts--what they are and how creditors can collect on them.

What Is a Secured Debt?

In Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, whether a debt is secured or unsecured makes a big difference in how that debt is treated.

What Is a Disputed Debt in Bankruptcy?

Find out whether you should check the "disputed claim" box on your bankruptcy paperwork.

What Is a Confirmation in Bankruptcy?

Learn about the reorganization plan approval process in bankruptcy.

What Is a Bankruptcy Meeting of Creditors?

Learn what will happen at the court appearance all bankruptcy filers must attend.

What Is a Joint Bankruptcy?

Learn how a married couple can file a single bankruptcy case.

What Is an Involuntary Lien?

Find out how a creditor can get a lien against your property without your permission.

What Is a Bankruptcy Conversion?

When you might switch or "convert" a bankruptcy case from one chapter to another.

What Is an Abusive Bankruptcy Filing?

Find out what the term "abuse" means in bankruptcy.

What Is a Guarantor?

A guarantor might be the ticket to getting a loan that you would otherwise be denied.

What Is a Contingent Bankruptcy Claim?

Learn how a contingent claim can slow down creditor payments in a bankruptcy case.

What Is a Bankruptcy Adversary Proceeding?

When a complicated dispute arises in a bankruptcy case, the parties will file a separate lawsuit to resolve it.

What Is a Fraudulent Transfer in Bankruptcy?

Some property transfers will be undone if you later file a bankruptcy case.