Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

Bankruptcy Information Center

Depending on your needs, different types of bankruptcy may be right for you. You may choose Chapter 7 bankruptcy where a trustee is appointed to administer the case and liquidate your nonexempt property to pay your creditors. You may also choose Chapter 13 bankruptcy, where the court approves a repayment plan that meets your budget.

Consumer Bankruptcy

One of the reasons people file bankruptcy is to get a debt "discharge." A discharge is a court order that tells creditors you are no longer liable for certain unsecured debts. While a discharge works for many debts, others — including most taxes, child support, alimony and student loans — cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.

When an individual falls desperately behind in his or her debt payments, one option may be to declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in a federal bankruptcy court that relieves the debtor of some or all of his or her debts. While bankruptcy may not be the best option for everyone, in the right situations, it can provide people with a fresh start. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer at Ryan J. Ruehle Attorney At Law, L.L.C. in Cincinnati, Ohio, can advise you as to whether bankruptcy may be the right move for you.

Bankruptcy choices for consumers

Consumers, like businesses, have options in terms of which type of bankruptcy to pursue. These options are set forth in separate chapters of the federal bankruptcy law — called the Bankruptcy Code — and they are commonly referred to by their chapter numbers. Consumers most commonly file either under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, with a very few filed under Chapter 11.

The 2005 changes to the federal bankruptcy laws created a new requirement that debtors receive credit counseling from an approved agency in the 180 days before filing for bankruptcy under any chapter, with some exceptions.

Most consumer bankruptcy cases are initiated voluntarily by consumers, but under certain circumstances, can arise involuntarily when creditors force debtors into bankruptcy.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcies, called "liquidation bankruptcies," are the most common type chosen by consumers. The Chapter 7 proceedings begin with the debtor's filing of a petition with the bankruptcy court, which triggers the automatic stay — bankruptcy terminology for the cessation of debt-collection activity. The court appoints a trustee who oversees the case and liquidates the debtor's nonexempt assets to pay off eligible debts to the extent possible.

Not all of the debtor's assets will be sold in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case because the law specifies that certain property is exempt from liquidation. For many typical consumers, all of their property is exempt or already subject to valid liens, so eligible debts will be discharged without the loss of any property. This situation is commonly called a no-asset case.

Once the trustee has collected any nonexempt assets and paid creditors from the proceeds, any remaining unpaid debts are discharged, meaning that they no longer exist and the debtor has no further obligation to pay them. Some debts, however, are nondischargeable and remain valid, such as taxes, domestic support obligations and damages resulting from a debtor's willful or malicious acts.

Any remaining unpaid debts are discharged, meaning that they no longer exist and the debtor has no further obligation to pay them. Some debts, however, are nondischargeable and remain valid, such as taxes, domestic support obligations and damages resulting from a debtor's willful or malicious acts.

Chapter 13

Alternatively, a consumer may choose Chapter 13 if he or she has regular income, believes the crisis is temporary and wants to repay at least some debt. The debtor must have less than $383,175 in unsecured debt and $1,149,525 in secured debt to be eligible for Chapter 13. 11 U.S.C. § 109(e). A Chapter 13 proceeding, called a wage-earner plan, is also initiated by filing a petition and also stops creditors from trying to collect debts. The debtor proposes a debt repayment plan, to which creditors may object. If the court approves the plan, however, the creditors can take no action outside the plan's scope to collect their debts. Once the plan is completed, the debtor is entitled to a discharge, which releases him or her from all debts dealt with by the plan.

A comparison

Chapter 13 has certain advantages over Chapter 7 in consumer bankruptcies. For example, Chapter 13 allows the debtor to discharge more types of debts. Although many average consumers have only assets exempt from the liquidation requirement under Chapter 7, some may have assets eligible to be sold. For these consumers, Chapter 13 may allow them to retain more of their assets. A consumer's choice between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 is not necessarily permanent; once proceedings have begun, a case may be converted to a different chapter under certain circumstances.

Speak to a bankruptcy lawyer

Sometimes consumers find themselves in such dire financial situations that filing for bankruptcy is their best option. Any decision to file for bankruptcy should be made carefully after consulting an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Contact Ryan J. Ruehle Attorney At Law, L.L.C. in Cincinnati, Ohio, to learn more about your options to protect your financial well-being.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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