Picking up from where 6 Facts to Know about Filing for Bankruptcy Again (Pt. 1) left off, here are some more important facts you should be aware of when you are considering filing for bankruptcy again.
Fact 3 – The time limits for filing for bankruptcy again will depend on whether you are filing for a different type of bankruptcy the second time around.
One of the critical factors in filing for bankruptcy again is how long ago your previous case was. Contact our Colorado bankruptcy lawyers for more info.
When a person wants to file for a different type of bankruptcy than he pursued in his first case, then different time limits apply as follows:
- Chapter 13 first, Chapter 7 second – If a person would like to file for Chapter 7 in his second bankruptcy petition (and his first bankruptcy case was a Chapter 13 case), then he will have to wait at least 6 years before he can receive a discharge in a Chapter 7 case.
There are, however some exceptions to this 6-year waiting period. For example, if all of the outstanding debt in the first Chapter13 case has been repaid or at least 70 percent of this debt has been repaid and your repayment plan was in good faith, the 6-year waiting period may be lifted.
- Chapter 7 first, Chapter 13 second – If a person would like to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy (and his previous bankruptcy case was a Chapter 7 case), then he will generally have to wait 4 years before his second case will be accepted by the courts.
This order, however, can get complicated if there are issues with the court accepting a person’s proposed Chapter 13 repayment plan in the second case. Specifically, if the second filing is within 8 years of the first filing and the court has rejected a repayment plan, there may be issues converting the case to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The bottom line here is that filing for a different type of bankruptcy in a second case can be a complicated endeavor, so it’s best to work with an attorney in these cases to optimize your chances of a successful filing the second time around.
Fact 4 – Filing for bankruptcy again can be useful even if a person can’t get his debt discharged.
In many cases, filing for bankruptcy – whether for the first or a subsequent time – is a powerful way to get a substantial amount of debt discharged. However, even if a bankruptcy case won’t result in a discharge (because, for instance, a person has not waited the requisite amount of time before filing for bankruptcy again), it can still be an extremely helpful option in that it can offer a person some powerful court protections.
Specifically, by filing for bankruptcy again, a person can be protected by the court’s automatic stay, which can:
- Prevent creditors from attempting to garnish a person’s wages
- Prevent creditors from initiating foreclosure proceedings on a person’s home
- Stop creditors from taking action to file a lawsuit against that person
- Stop creditors from trying to repossess a person’s property.
Be sure to look for the upcoming conclusion to this blog!
Colorado Bankruptcy Lawyers at the Law Office of Jon B. Clarke, P.C.
If you are overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable debt and are looking for a financial fresh start, contact the trusted Colorado debt relief and bankruptcy lawyers at the Law Office of Jon B. Clarke, P.C.
For more than 35 years, Mr. Clarke and his diligent support staff have been successfully helping our clients resolve even the most complex bankruptcy cases for both individuals and businesses alike. Our experienced legal professionals are committed to providing each of our Clients with the personalized debt relief assistance they need, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our Clients’ cases are resolved as favorably and efficiently as possible.
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For a thorough assessment of your situation, along with expert advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward to unburden yourself from debt, call us at (866) 916-3950 or email us some details about your situation by clicking here.
