Bank finance articles and tips

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a homeowner will be able to keep their home if they have no equity in the house, because a trustee would have no money to distribute to creditors after selling the house. Also, a homeowner can keep their home if the equity that they do have in the house is exempt under the homestead exception. However, if a homeowner files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they will need to keep making mortgage payments on their house or else they will lose their home.

Bankruptcy protection provides consumers with a way to start over again financially through a complete or partial discharge of debts or a reorganization of debts. For many consumers the most critical consideration is finding out exactly what types of debts can be discharged in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Individual financial circumstances and state-specific bankruptcy regulations will determine exactly what debts can be discharged and by whom in a bankruptcy, but for the most part these debts include: taxes, mortgages and equity lines of credit, loans, medical bills, and credit cards. A discharge of debts under bankruptcy protection must meet the following guidelines in order to be approved by the bankruptcy trustee and court: