Divorce Debt & Bankruptcy

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A divorce’s financial and emotional strain can take its toll on anyone. One of the most frustrating aspects of dealing with a newly single life is navigating the world of finances, specifically credit card debt, taxes, and banking. The interplay between divorce, debt, and bankruptcy can be complex in the context of divorce. The timing of divorce and bankruptcy filings and the specific details of your financial situation can significantly impact the outcome. It’s essential to consult with both a divorce and bankruptcy attorney to explore your options and determine the best course of action based on your circumstances.

Divorce, debt, and marriage are interwoven aspects of our personal and financial lives that can profoundly impact individuals and families. The decision to enter into marriage involves a commitment to share love and companionship and the responsibilities and obligations of merging finances and assets. However, when marriages end in divorce, the division of debts and assets can become complex and contentious, requiring careful consideration and legal guidance.

What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

It is meant to help individuals clear their outstanding debt. It allows the debtor to liquidate all property, real or personal, and discharge the debt in one fell swoop. No repayment plans or repayment plans are assigned, meaning that unsecured creditors are paid in full from any money available at the time of filing.

How Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Work?

The process of filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is straightforward. The debtor must file an initial petition with their local bankruptcy court, which then notifies the major credit reporting agencies and sends a notice to the debtor’s creditors. All creditors have 20 days to object to the bankruptcy; if they do so, they are given additional time to respond. The debtor then has 30 days in which to respond to these objections.

Who is eligible to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Anyone who has unpaid debt may be eligible. This includes credit cards, medical bills, tuition/educational loans, child support, alimony, etc. Many people in these situations mistakenly believe they are not eligible because of previous bankruptcy or because they owe too little money. This is only sometimes the case, and if there are any questions about whether a person is eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they should contact a lawyer immediately. For eligibility, you need to qualify in the following:

Means Test

You must pass the means test, which compares your income to the median income in your state for a household of a similar size. If your income is below the median, you generally qualify for Chapter 7. If your income exceeds the median, you may still qualify after deducting specific expenses and demonstrating an inability to repay your debts.

Previous Bankruptcy Discharge

If you have received a discharge in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case within the past eight years, you are generally ineligible for another Chapter 7 discharge. However, you may be eligible for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Here, debtors handle their debt slightly differently. Instead of liquidating all property and essentially starting over, in this process, the debtor pays back a portion of their outstanding debt over an extended period while still maintaining the majority of their assets. This allows them to retain some stability and income during a stressful time in life.

How Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Work?

The process of filing such a bankruptcy is similar to how Chapter 7 works, with the debtor setting up a repayment plan over three to five years. The debtor has one year after their Chapter 13 filing is completed to make all payments to their creditors. After this time, they are discharged from their bankruptcy and can begin seeking an unsecured loan or credit card.

Who is eligible to file for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

To be eligible for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the United States, you must meet specific requirements:

Regular Income

You must have a regular source of income, such as employment, self-employment, or steady income from other sources. This is to ensure that you have the means to make the monthly payments required under the Chapter 13 repayment plan.

Debt Limits

There are specific limits on the amount of debt you can have to qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. These limits may vary depending on the current bankruptcy laws in your jurisdiction.

Previous Bankruptcy Discharge

If you have received a discharge in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case within the past four years or a Chapter 13 case within the past two years, you may have limitations on your eligibility for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Filing History

There are restrictions on how frequently you can file for bankruptcy. For Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there is an eight-year waiting period between discharges, while for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the waiting period between previous Chapter 13 cases is two years.

Credit Counseling

Both require credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days of filing.

Conclusion

The process of filing for bankruptcy is a challenging one. It requires the knowledge and expertise of a qualified lawyer to prepare the paperwork correctly, review all pertinent information, and provide thorough assistance throughout the process. It’s important to note that bankruptcy laws and eligibility requirements can vary, and the specific criteria may differ based on your jurisdiction. Consulting with a qualified bankruptcy attorney familiar with your area’s laws is crucial to determining your eligibility and understanding the specific requirements you need to meet.

Navigating the complexities of divorce debt, and marriage requires a thorough understanding of legal and financial implications. It is essential to approach these matters with clear communication and open-mindedness. By seeking informed advice and making well-informed decisions, individuals can work towards resolving debt issues and ensuring a fair distribution of assets, ultimately moving forward into a new chapter of their lives with more excellent financial stability and emotional well-being.

Bankruptcy and Divorce

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Divorce and bankruptcy are both extraordinarily difficult and stressful situations to experience; doing so at the same time is even more complicated. Aside from the emotional strain, there are some very pragmatic factors that must be considered. In this post, we will explore the implications of divorce on bankruptcy.

Amicable or Acrimonious?

Before factoring in any of the financial or logistical matters, you must evaluate honestly the state of your relationship with your (soon to be ex) spouse. If you’re on amicable terms with your spouse, then filing for bankruptcy before a divorce could be a viable option. However, attempting to file bankruptcy with a spouse who is hostile to your financial interests could actually cause more harm than good. You will need to depend on your spouse to show up to court and provide all necessary financial documents, and you need to be confident that they will work with you and your attorney.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Whether or not divorce is involved, deciding on what kind of bankruptcy to file is key. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is often chosen because it can be completed within four to six months and completely eliminates unsecured debt. However, in order to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your income must be equal or below the median household income for your state. For Wisconsin, that’s $67,094 (as of 2020). If you and your spouse remain friendly, and you can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, then filing it before your divorce may be the best option. You can file jointly, discharge your debts, then divorce afterwards.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

If your income level is too high to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 functions more like a court-administered reorganization and it lasts from three to five years. If you divorce during that time, you will still be obligated to make the repayments ordered. If you and your spouse are friendly, perhaps you can agree on the portion of the repayment you will each do. If not, you may need to go through the process of having the bankruptcy case bifurcated. That may make the most sense; it’s possible that you may then be able to convert to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy Costs

If you and your spouse file a joint bankruptcy you’ll save money on filing fees and the cost of hiring a lawyer. However, since your household income will be determined by what both you and your spouse earn, filing bankruptcy before your divorce could mean that your income is too high for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In that case, divorcing first and then filing for bankruptcy would be the best idea.

Assets

Filing for bankruptcy jointly with your spouse brings advantages. One of the experts at Burr Law can help you understand how your assets will be protected. This applies, especially, to things you own jointly like your house or your vehicles. And depending on the jurisdiction you live in, filing a joint bankruptcy with your spouse could give you extra protection in the form of double exemptions. For example, if your home value is exempt up to $100,000 for a single bankruptcy filer, depending on the law in your jurisdiction, filing jointly could give you a bonus exemption making the house exempt for up to $200,000.

Bankruptcy and divorce are both unpleasant things that happen sometimes. Taking a pragmatic and rational approach to your situation is the best way to mitigate it. Contact the professionals at Burr Law to explore your options.

Does Divorce Hurt Your Credit?

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Divorce, like marriage, doesn’t directly affect your credit. You and your ex-spouse will still have separate credit reports. That said, divorce is usually a time of considerable stress, and legal and other expenses, loss of income due to interruption of routine, and inability to keep on top of expenses or disagreements about untangling finances can have significant consequences for your credit score.

Such concerns are often compounded when the divorce is not amicable, and property and debt division are contested. It is generally advisable to suspend joint accounts if divorce seems imminent and to try to establish individual accounts, and to keep good records of what debts have been incurred by which party, since any debts involving joint credit or joint property will be liabilities on both parties.

Remember, too, that apart from legal fees and whatever losses might result from a reduction in joint income, the sum of individual expenditures will often rise when former partners begin to support separate residences, perhaps acquire another vehicle and replace other shared items and expenses that no longer can be shared. It is best to budget strictly in anticipation, because any interruption in payments for joint debts may adversely affect individual credit ratings. Interruption in court-ordered spousal support payments and child support often accompany such upheavals, whether due to inability or unwillingness of a former partner to pay.

If you are able, try to untangle whatever debts you may have from those belonging to your spouse. Request in writing that any joint accounts be suspended and not reopened. Remove his or her authorized user status from any credit accounts. Once again, it is best to do this in writing. Also, if possible, get your spouse to have transferred to them any debts belonging solely to them, so that responsibilities will be as clear-cut as possible. Look to transfer balances and renegotiate debt to your favor wherever possible.

And even though the transition time is liable to be tempestuous, don’t blow off your debts. Stay in touch with your creditors, and let them know that you mean to meet your obligations, even though it may be hard to muster the focus during a difficult time.

For personalized guidance on how best to protect your assets and your credit during a divorce, contact the experts at Burr Law. They will offer intelligent, compassionate support to help you when you need it most.

How Does Bankruptcy Affect A Lawsuit?

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There is no quick and easy answer to this question. Generally, if the lawsuit involves money or property, it will be temporarily suspended or dismissed. If it is primarily concerned with something else (child custody, for instance), it will not have any effect. When you file for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court will enter an automatic stay. This injunction means that as soon as any other court learns of the bankruptcy proceeding, it must act accordingly. Usually, lawsuits that involve money or property are immediately suspended, with the possibility of dismissal if the bankruptcy goes through to completion. This is an extremely complicated area of law, however, and it is imperative that you have the advice of bankruptcy experts, like those at Burr Law.

Pending Money/Property Lawsuits

This lawsuit would overlap with the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court, so typically, the automatic stay will stop the debt collection lawsuit. Your attorney would file a “Suggestion of Bankruptcy.” This lets the judge know that a bankruptcy case is pending, and the entire lawsuit is suspended, at least until the bankruptcy court enters a discharge. When that happens, the court in the collection suit usually dismisses the case since it will be dealt with in the bankruptcy court. However, this course of action is not guaranteed. Though bankruptcy courts issue an injunction that suspends a pending case that has to do with money or property, it may be determined that having another court continue the case would be more efficient. In that situation the bankruptcy court would allow the case to go forward.

New Lawsuits

Likewise, if a creditor wants to begin a lawsuit against you after you have filed bankruptcy, it is possible, though difficult, to do. The creditor can request that the automatic stay be lifted in that particular instance, and it would be up to the bankruptcy judge to decide.

Divorce and Child Custody

Generally, divorce or child custody cases that are in current litigation will not be affected by a bankruptcy action. A number of family court judges will put the case on hold as a courtesy until they get an order from the bankruptcy judge. Bankruptcy courts don’t want to have anything to do with these kinds of family law matters.

Alimony and Child Support

With alimony and child support, the relevance of bankruptcy is apparent. The family court’s imposition of child support or alimony orders could affect a bankruptcy case because of the effect on the debtor’s resources. This is true when the person declaring bankruptcy is the one also paying alimony and/or child support as well as when the person declaring bankruptcy is the one receiving alimony. A bankruptcy court may reserve jurisdiction over a property settlement but even then, bankruptcy courts rarely take issue with a property settlement unless it is extreme.

If you are behind on your alimony payments and legal action has actually begun to collect them, the bankruptcy injunction will suspend that activity. However these are not debts that are dischargeable under either Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This can also be the case for many property settlement agreements. Consultation with the professionals at Burr Law can help clarify your position.

A child support creditor (a state agency or the other parent) is subject to the automatic stay just like any other creditor. However, any debts you owe for child support will not be discharged in the bankruptcy case. The creditor can renew collection activities after the bankruptcy court enters the discharge.

Other Lawsuits

There are other kinds of lawsuits where the intricacies of the particular situation mean that bankruptcy might have an affect on them. These lawsuits include: criminal cases, code enforcement and nuisance actions, evictions, and administrative actions. Ask the expert bankruptcy attorneys at Burr Law for help if you are considering bankruptcy.

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How Will Your Divorce (and Your Ex’s Debt) Affect Your Future?

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Getting divorced in Wisconsin means accepting a lot of significant changes. Most people understand this and look forward to making lifestyle transitions, such as starting new relationships, pursuing career advancement and escaping abusive situations. Sadly, few are prepared for how their divorces might impact their debts.

What will happen to your debts after you split? Can seeking bankruptcy protection help you manage your obligations more effectively? Keep reading for the essential facts on shared liabilities, bankruptcy and divorce debt consolidation.

Divorce and Debt

When people get divorced, they naturally consider their assets. They also need to think about their liabilities because they may be held responsible for their spouses’ actions even after parting ways.

Key Marriage Debt Concepts in Wisconsin

The notion of community property, or assets acquired during a marriage and deemed to belong to both spouses equally, also applies to certain debts. Important concepts to understand include

  • The doctrine of necessaries, a law permitting creditors to collect certain kinds of debts from an indebted person’s spouse, and
  • The determination date, or the earliest date that falls after when you got married and both took up in-state residency.

Why Your Determination Date Matters

When judging debt matters, courts may take distinct approaches depending on when specific debts were incurred relative to the determination date. For instance, pre-determination-date obligations frequently result in creditors collecting separate property from an indebted spouse. They can also take marital property that would have belonged solely to one spouse if they’d never tied the knot.

Normal creditors can’t collect community property to resolve pre-determination-date debts. The IRS has no such limitations, however, so tread carefully.

What about creditor claims that you acquired after getting married and moving to Wisconsin with your spouse? These liabilities may include debts that you took on in your family’s interest as well as those you incurred for personal reasons:

  • When debts relate to family purposes, creditors can collect from the indebted spouse’s separate property and any marital property they share.
  • With non-family purpose debts, creditors can take a debtor’s personal property as well as half of their marital assets.

Exploring Your Divorce Debt Consolidation Options

Getting divorced is all about moving on with your life, but dealing with your ex’s debt can make cutting the tether much harder. Although some couples avoid issues by entering into matrimonial property agreements before getting married, this option only works in certain situations. You also have to supply creditors with a copy of your agreement in advance for it to have any impact.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s complex communal property laws catch many couples off guard. For instance, imagine that your spouse didn’t tell you that they took out a loan during your marriage. You might find yourself liable for a significant debt without even knowing it existed. These unpleasant surprises make it extremely difficult to get a fresh start.

Pursuing divorce debt consolidation through bankruptcy may be an option. Since the system doesn’t give people preferential treatment just because their spouses got them in over their heads, bankruptcy may be a viable backup plan. By halting collections and giving you time to figure things out, bankruptcy can help you take the unexpected consequences of getting divorced in stride.

Call the Burr Law Office at (262) 827-0375 to find out how to unshackle yourself from the burden of debt due to a divorce.

How to Cope with Bankruptcy and Divorce

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When it comes to legal processes, bankruptcy and divorce are among the most stressful. The same goes for life in general. Unfortunately, the level of stress involved in filing bankruptcy can sometimes result in filing for divorce, or the other way around. What does this mean for you? It means it’s incredibly important to keep things organized so nothing falls through the cracks.

Which one first?

If you’re in a situation where bankruptcy and divorce are both on the table, saving money will likely be ideal. For this reason, you’d be smart to file a joint bankruptcy before getting divorced. Not only will this save you on court fees, you’ll also save on attorney fees. Something to note, however, is that it’s crucial that you divulge all information to the attorney you’re hiring, just as in any bankruptcy. In addition to cost savings, filing for bankruptcy before divorce will help to simplify any issues surrounding property division and debt, leading to lower costs during your divorce proceedings.

What type?

Not sure which type of bankruptcy is best for you? It depends on your financial situation and a number of other factors. A Chapter 7 will get rid of unsecured debts and can be completed in just a few months or so. A Chapter 13, on the other hand, lasts 3-5 years because it involves paying back your debt through a repayment plan.

If you’ve found yourself in a situation involving bankruptcy and divorce, a good idea is to contact an experienced bankruptcy attorney like Michael Burr to guide you through the process. Contact us to set up a free consultation today.

How to Continue With a Bankruptcy Petition During Divorce

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Financial difficulties can put strain on a marriage and contribute to the decision to file for divorce. Couples who decide to file for divorce in the midst of filing for bankruptcy may face complications in terms of discharging their debts and reporting their assets. For this reason, couples filing for both at the same time need to take additional steps to ensure that this process goes smoothly.

Consult with an Attorney

Filing for divorce may affect your bankruptcy filing status and your ability to meet the obligations in a Milwaukee Chapter 13 repayment plan. That’s why it’s best to seek the help of an attorney who has significant experience with bankruptcy law. You may need to consult with both a divorce attorney and a bankruptcy attorney throughout the course of your case. Your attorneys can help each other determine whether or not it’s in your best interest to proceed with divorce before your Chapter 13 petition is resolved.

Establish Divorce Settlement

You should try to create a divorce settlement agreement with your spouse that determines how the monthly payment plan of a Chapter 13 petition will be divided between you. Failing to reach an agreement means that you may have to handle the matter in court, which may reject the notion of designating one spouse as solely responsible for the debt.

Talk to Your Trustee

You need to talk to the trustee assigned to your case about your plans to file for divorce. Your trustee receives monthly payments and allocates them to your creditors according to your payment plan, so he or she will need to review your proposed divorce settlement and individual spousal incomes.

Call (877) 891-1638 to discuss your filing options with Milwaukee bankruptcy attorney Michael Burr. We provide affordable services to help eliminate or consolidate your debts. Our goal is to help you find permanent relief from your financial hardship and secure a positive financial future.