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Your Debts in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Here's how Chapter 13 bankruptcy generally works: You keep your property and repay some or all of your debts through a repayment plan which lasts for three or five years. How much you pay on a given debt depends on a number of factors. Secured debts are treated differently than unsecured debts. Usually, you pay only a portion of your unsecured debts through your plan -- the remainder is discharged at the end of your bankruptcy. Bankruptcy law also assigns priority to some debts, so that you must pay them first and in full.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must pay some debts in full through your plan; others you pay in part. For instance, you'll continue to pay monthly payments and interest on secured debts. What happens to unsecured debts in Chapter 13 is different. In many instances, you'll pay far less than you owe. Here are the details.

When you complete your Chapter 13 bankruptcy, most of your debts will be paid fully or eliminated by your discharge. Find out which debts you must pay in Chapter 13 and which bills are erased in Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Your options if you need to incur debt during your Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment period.

Explore the impact of bankruptcy on cosigners, including their financial responsibilities and available options for protection. Essential reading for cosigners facing difficult situations.

After you complete your Chapter 13 plan, some of the remaining debts won't be discharged.

Paying off a Chapter 13 bankruptcy early is very unusual because creditors are entitled to receive all disposable income for the life of the Chapter 13 plan. However, it isn't impossible. If you receive a raise or another windfall, expect to pay more than required in the original plan. In some instances, you can exit Chapter 13 if your financial situation worsens. Ultimately, filers can get out of Chapter 13 bankruptcy early if they can pay off their debt or prove a financial hardship.

Offers essential insights into managing and repaying unsecured debts under Chapter 13 bankruptcy, ensuring individuals understand their rights and obligations.

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

Learn about secured debts and how creditors can collect them.

Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy will not discharge your obligations -- but it can help you to get caught up.

It’s possible to discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy, but it’s never been likely for most people. However, new changes to the bankruptcy procedure make student loan discharges more available to more people.

Here's how homeowners association fees are treated in Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

This comprehensive guide explains the Chapter 13 process, from start to finish.

Learn about Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and determine if either is a good option for you.

See more articles

If you run up your credit card balances right before filing for bankruptcy, the debt might not be wiped out by your bankruptcy.

In most cases, you can't "discharge" or wipe out recent tax debts in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Instead, you repay your tax debts through the life of your Chapter 13 repayment plan, which could last either three or five years. But there are exceptions. Filers can often eliminate old tax debt in Chapter 13. Whether it's discharged or you pay it, Chapter 13 bankruptcy clears tax debt by the end of the plan.

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