proceedings you can protect certain elements of your personal property. That way you can keep it from the hands of creditors seeking to redeem it for value. The fear of bankruptcy, a fear that most financially responsible people experience, shouldn’t be a crippling factor in financial decisions anymore. We can all survive filing bankruptcy and with a little luck and the right bankruptcy lawyers, nobody will have to give up everything.
When filing for Bankruptcy Lawyer washington in order to obtain financial relief in the form of a fresh start that will eliminate debt, one must provide a list of personal effects and property. This is generally passed on to creditors who can use such information to repossess or lien debtor properties. Since bankruptcy is supposed to help debtors out in the long run, states provide lists of what types of personal property and equity is exempt from collection or transfer of ownership. Ideally, these laws maintain a bankruptcy system that guarantees creditors won’t take things of little or no economic value and cause debtors undue hardships or suffering. Certain property equity, which is the difference between it’s market value and that of any claims held against it, may be qualified to remain out of the clutches of creditors.
Different states have varying standards. In Bankruptcy Lawyer Washington exemptions can protect up to $40,000, $2,700, and $5,000 of the equity of a homestead, household goods, or a vehicle. Life insurance and retirement plan bankruptcy exemptions can guard these types of monthly payments from creditors, or protect existing life insurance plans that apply to a debtor or their next-of-kin. Exemptions also apply to savings, bonds, pensions or anything in a qualified retirement plan.
In addition to these and a number of other broad categories, Bankruptcy Lawyer Washington that will protect up to $2,000 equity in various property not covered by other exemptions. The state of Indiana’s laws protect primary residence equity up to a value of $7,500 and $15,000 if a spouse shares the owner title for the property with the debtor. Similarly, $4,000 equity in other real estate besides primary residences can be guarded from creditors and up to $8,000 is safe if a spouse co-owns the real estate. Intangible property, such as money in bank accounts, as well as from tax refunds and other sources, can only be guarded in amounts up to $100, but as with many other states, retirement plan payments are 100% safe.
Different bankruptcy exemptions exist in different states. Seemingly similar exemptions may not have the same amount of value from one locale to another. This can be very confusing to a debtor. However, every qualified bankruptcy attorney makes it their business to know exactly what property they can save for you, depending on the rules of the state in which you reside.
Bankruptcy allows everyone to start again and begin fresh financially but it’s easier said than done. Changes in bankruptcy law have made it harder to file. Without going into the gory, political details, what this means is that if you’re under financial pressure and considering bankruptcy you should consult with a professional. Just like you go to the doctor when you break a leg you should consult with someone who knows the ins-and-outs of financial law.
Bankruptcy is a life event and one that will clean out your financial closet but you should not go it alone. In 2005, a new bankruptcy law was enacted. This law made it much more complicated for debtors to file bankruptcy. With careful planning, however, and a good lawyer, it can be done. A good attorney knows the ins and outs of this new law so you’ll get great results. When looking for a bankruptcy attorney and before you hire one, make sure that he or she has the capacity and expertise to win your case.
The news of the past months on the increase in bankruptcy, over 20% from the calendar year last year, merits mention for Texas residents. The bad news is bankruptcies are on the rise. While bankruptcies and foreclosures have affected the lives of all of us in some way, in Texas, perhaps surprisingly, bankruptcies and foreclosures are much less common than in states such as California and Florida.
Of course, California has the most bankruptcies because of its population, but the number of foreclosures is quite high. While in Texas the rates of foreclosure are 1 in 800, California and Florida are being hit by 1 in 200 and 1 in about 170 respectively. (In other words, 1 person in 200 who owns a home in California is foreclosed on, while only 1 person 800 who owns a Texas home loses it to foreclosure.) Because of the danger of foreclosure, and the dangers of waiting too long, lawyers are more in demand.
Unfortunately the demand for lawyers is creating a climate for mistakes to be made. Too often Texas residents and citizens nationwide make the mistake of going with a referred lawyer, the friend of a friend, the cheap lawyer, or the lawyer who promises you the world. What should in fact be looked at is experience.