Bankruptcy Newsletters

Chapter 13 Hardship Discharge

Although a chapter 13 debtor generally receives a discharge only after completing all payments required by the court-approved repayment plan, there are some limited circumstances under which the debtor may request the court to grant a "hardship discharge." After confirmation of a plan, there are limited circumstances under which the debtor may request the court to grant a hardship discharge even though the debtor has failed to complete plan payments.

Contested Matters

Whenever there is an actual dispute, other than an adversary proceeding, before the bankruptcy court, the litigation to resolve that dispute is a contested matter. For example, the filing of an objection to a proof of claim, to a claim of exemption, or to a disclosure statement creates a dispute that is a contested matter. Even when an objection is not formally required, there may be a dispute. If a party in interest opposes the amount of compensation sought by a professional, there is a dispute that is a contested matter.

The "Clean Slate" of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Nondischargeable Debts

Dischargeable debts are those debts that can be discharged through bankruptcy proceedings. Certain debts cannot be discharged through a bankruptcy proceeding. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, nondischargeable debts cannot be discharged at all, and in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, these debts remain even after the repayment plan is completed.

Preferential Transfers

A trustee in bankruptcy may avoid certain statutory liens, fraudulent transfers, as well as preferences. The Bankruptcy Code provides that certain transfers made by a debtor within close proximity of bankruptcy are preferential to the recipient and violate the Bankruptcy Code's policy of equal treatment of creditors. The elements of a so-called "preference" or "preferential transfer" are easy for a trustee in bankruptcy to prove. The defenses available to the creditor are limited and the cost to litigate can be high.