Bankruptcy & Car Repossession

For many people, their car is essential to their daily life. It gets them to work, school, and other essential places. However, if you’re struggling with debt and facing bankruptcy, you may be worried about losing your car through repossession. Fortunately, bankruptcy may help you keep your car and even reduce debt.

What is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process designed to help people struggling with debt. It’s a way to get a fresh financial start by wiping out some or all of your debts, depending on the type of bankruptcy you file. There are two main types of bankruptcy that individuals can file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or “liquidation” bankruptcy, involves selling off some of your assets to pay off your debts. However, certain property types are exempt from liquidation, including a certain amount of equity in your car. In Wisconsin, the car exemption is $4,000. If you own your car outright and it’s worth less than $4,000, you can keep it in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy, on the other hand, is a reorganization bankruptcy. It involves creating a repayment plan that lasts between three and five years. You’ll pay a bankruptcy trustee to distribute the funds to your creditors during this time. Chapter 13 can be a good option if you need to catch up on car payments and want to catch up while keeping your car.

Car Repossession

Vehicle repossession occurs when you default on your car loan, and the lender takes back the car. This can happen if you miss payments or violate the terms of your loan agreement. Sometimes, the lender can repossess your car without giving you any notice. However, most states require lenders to provide a certain amount of notice and allow you to bring your payments up to date before repossessing your car.

If your car is repossessed, the lender will sell it at auction to recoup the amount you owe on loan. If the sale price doesn’t cover the full amount you owe, you may be responsible for paying the difference, known as a “deficiency balance.” This can worsen your financial situation, as you’ll still owe money on a car you no longer have.

How Can Bankruptcy Help with Car Repossession?

If you’re facing vehicle repossession, bankruptcy can help. When you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into effect. This court order prevents creditors from taking any further collection action against you, including repossession. If your car has already been repossessed, the automatic stay can stop the lender from selling it and allow you to get it back.

You can keep your car in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy by reaffirming the debt. This involves signing a new agreement with the lender that allows you to keep the car and continue making payments. However, if you need to catch up on your car payments and can’t catch up, the lender may still be able to repossess your car, even if you’ve reaffirmed the debt.

In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can include your car loan in your repayment plan. This means you’ll make regular payments to the bankruptcy trustee, who will then pay your car lender. If you make your payments on time, the lender cannot repossess your car.

Tips for Dealing with Car Repossession

If you’re struggling with debt and facing vehicle repossession, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

1. Communicate with your Lender: If you need help making your car payments, contact your lender as soon as possible. They may work with you to devise a repayment plan or defer your payments.

2. Know your Rights: As mentioned, most states have laws requiring lenders to provide notice and an opportunity to catch up on payments before repossessing a car. Make sure you know what your state’s laws are and what your rights are as a borrower.

3. Consider Bankruptcy:Bankruptcy may be a good option if you’re facing vehicle repossession and can’t afford to catch up on your payments. It can help you keep your car and reduce your debt.

4. Get Legal Help:If you’re facing car repossession or bankruptcy, consulting an attorney specializing in these law areas is a good idea. They can help you understand your options and make the best decision.

5. Consider Refinancing: If you have equity in your car, you can refinance your loan and lower your monthly payments. This could make it easier to keep up with your payments and avoid repossession.

6. Look into a Car Loan Modification: Some lenders may be willing to modify your car loan to make your payments more manageable. This could include extending the loan term, lowering the interest rate, or reducing the monthly payments. Be sure to ask your lender about any loan modification options that may be available to you.

If you’re struggling with debt and facing car repossession, bankruptcy can help. Several options are available, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. By filing for bankruptcy, you can stop vehicle repossession and keep your car while reducing your debt and getting a fresh financial start. However, it’s essential to understand your options and work with an experienced attorney to make the best decision. With the proper guidance, you can get back on track and build a brighter financial future.

How do you get a car back after repossession

Car Repossession: Getting Your Car Back

Having your car repossessed can throw everything into turmoil. When you can’t drive, it’s harder to earn income, care for your family and obtain the necessities you need to function. Even worse, you might feel like you have no other option but to sit there and take it. Repo agencies don’t mess around, and fighting back can get you into more trouble.

How do you get a car back after repossession in Wisconsin? Here’s why chatting with a legal professional about Chapter 13 bankruptcy could help and what to expect next.

Repo Basics

Repossession is when a bank, lender or the owner of your leased or borrowed item takes action to recover their property. For instance, imagine that you put your car up as collateral to get approved for a mortgage. If you missed too many payments, then your loan servicer might repossess the vehicle.

One of the critical distinctions to remember about repossession is that it puts the creditor in control — A repo agent can recover your vehicle without getting permission from a judge or having to file a lawsuit. As long as you defaulted, or failed to fulfill your obligations under an existing contract, the owner has every right to initiate a repossession.

Navigating Repossession Law

Wisconsin and other states have a few laws in place to prevent property owners from abusing the rules. Consumer protection guidelines state that parties who want to repossess vehicles need to jump through some hoops first, such as sending notifications beforehand. These laws are easy to comply with, however, so you may find them to be poor defenses against repo actions.

How do you get a car back after repossession? There are two primary options, but they may not work for everyone:

  • You can reinstate your contract by repaying everything you owe, but you’ll also have to cover the costs the creditor incurred to repo the vehicle.
  • You can redeem your contract, but you’ll have to repay the entire balance.

Reinstatement and redemption cost significant amounts of money. They may be impractical for the vast majority of Wisconsinites who couldn’t pay their loans or leases in the first place.

The Benefits of Proactively Filing for Bankruptcy

Fortunately, reinstatement and redemption aren’t your only choices. You can also seek bankruptcy protection.

When you pursue bankruptcy, you receive something called an automatic stay. This type of protection goes into effect the instant you file, and it stops creditors from taking any action to recover their property — including repossession. Although it only lasts until the court has resolved your case, it gives you the chance to chart a better course forward. If the repossession already happened, a bankruptcy judge can reverse it, and you’ll just have to pay the repo cost.

Which kind of bankruptcy is best for avoiding or halting repo actions?

Most consumers in this situation file for Chapter 13 protection. Unlike Chapter 7, which lets the court sell off your non-essential properties, Chapter 13 grants you the chance to work with your creditors. By coming to an agreement that everyone can live with, you put yourself on a less stressful financial footing.

Are you fighting a vehicle repossession in Milwaukee or Waukesha county?

Waiting around isn’t the best choice. Talk to a bankruptcy lawyer at Burr Law Office LLC to deal with your debt the smart way. Call (262) 827-0375 today.

When Do I Need to Begin Worrying About Property Repossession?

If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, you may have stopped making payments on secured debts like cars or electronics. The consequence of this action is commonly called repossession. Because you have defaulted on the loan, you are no longer entitled to keep your car, home, or other item. Repossession of a home is usually called foreclosure, and it works differently than repossession of cars or electronics.

Understanding Repossession

As soon as you miss a payment, your lender can repossess your car or other possession. However, many lenders wait until you have missed two or three payments before repossessing your item simply because the process is expensive and time-consuming. You will receive one or more notices of missed payments, notifying you that you are in danger of repossession. At this point, you usually have the option of making up missed payments and keeping your property. If you fail to do so, you can expect repossession.

After Repossession

Your property will be sold at an auction. You will be notified of the date and time of this sale, so you can attend and buy back your property, if you choose. To do this, you must pay the balance of the loan and the costs of repossession. If the property sells for less than its fair market value, the lender may pursue a deficiency judgment and force you to pay the difference between the sale price and the fair market value. Though this is possible, it doesn’t usually happen.

If you’ve missed payments on a car, electronic equipment, or other valuable item, you could be in danger of repossession. In some situations, declaring bankruptcy may be a good strategy for stopping the process. To learn more, call (262) 827-0375 to schedule a consultation with a Milwaukee bankruptcy attorney at Burr Law Office.