Bankruptcy Gets a Little Tougher for Debtors Trying to Get a Vehicle Back
Many people file for bankruptcy because they may have defaulted on their car loan. Often in such cases, the creditor threatens immediate repossession, and the debtor files a case to either stop the repo, or to get the vehicle back. A recent case out of a federal appeals court may have made this situation a […]
KEEP READING . . .If I File for Bankruptcy, Can I Keep My Tax Return Refund?
Question: What happens to my tax return if I file for bankruptcy? It’s tax time, which means you’re excited about receiving a tax refund, or you’re dreading paying more in taxes.
KEEP READING . . .Single Mother Wins Discharge of Student Loans in Bankruptcy Court
As I’ve commented before (such as here and here), the student loan issue is something that should be receiving plenty of attention in the coming months. Bankruptcy offers an interesting opportunity for student loan debtors because, under certain circumstances, courts are willing to discharge student loans. In this case, the debtor (who, to me, more people […]
KEEP READING . . .CAUTION: In a NY Bankruptcy, an asset may lose it’s protected status without you realizing it
For most people, bankruptcy cases are “successful” versus “unsuccessful” depending on whether they can keep most, if not all, of their property. Sometimes, this forecasting can be difficult to make. Even as a bankruptcy attorney, you may run with an assumption about an asset, and then someone challenges that assumption. In this case, the trustee […]
KEEP READING . . .How-To: NYC Landlord’s Guide to the Non-Regulated Holdover Evicton
Real estate in NYC is a challenge. It’s a challenge for tenants looking for affordable housing. It’s a challenge for landlord’s to get a tenant that works well with them. In my Landlord-Tenant practice, I mostly represent landlords in non-regulated (meaning no rent stabilization or rent controlled) holdovers. Plenty of people call me and want […]
KEEP READING . . .Avoid Judgments against Property in Bankruptcy (Equity not required!)
One really powerful goal that people (particularly homeowners) can try to accomplish in a bankruptcy case is “avoiding liens.” When a lien is avoided, it basically means that it’s status as a secured obligation is undone, and the result is that the balance owed is a (usually) an unsecured claim, like most credit cards or personal […]
KEEP READING . . .If makes fraudulent transfers after a judgment is issued, does that make the debt nondischargeable in bankruptcy?
Fraudulent transfers and preference payments are some of the more regularly litigated matters within a bankruptcy case. A fraudulent transfer generally refers to a transfer of assets made by a debtor with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud the creditor. A preference generally occurs when a debtor pays one creditor more than that creditor […]
KEEP READING . . .Tax Debt is Discharged in Bankruptcy because IRS May Have Lost Tax Return!
Tax debts are one of those tricky things in bankruptcy where if everything wasn’t done right, then the debt doesn’t get discharged. The debtor has to file any missed returns. There are time periods that have to be cleared. Each tax year has to be considered on its own. In a very interesting case, a […]
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