Texas Bankruptcy Blog : Texas Bankruptcy Lawyer & Attorney : Fears Nachawati law Firm : Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Consumer Bankrutpcy : Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio

The economic downturn has had a far-reaching affect. The mortgage crisis created a new victim: the family pet. As more families lost their homes to foreclosure, more pets were abandoned or left at animal shelters. USA Today reports that some pet owners are leaving pets in empty houses and garages with some food and water. Often these abandoned animals aren't found for days or weeks and are dead or dying.

Before you decide to walk away from a home and turn your back on a family pet, consider how the federal bankruptcy laws can help your financial situation. First, there are options to keep your home during bankruptcy by paying arrearages over time, stripping away an unsecured second or third mortgage, or buying needed time to qualify under a home loan modification program.

Contrary to widespread misinformation, you do not have to give up your pet when you file bankruptcy. The judicial trend is to recognize pets as more than property. In a recent case from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, a Chapter 13 debtor was allowed to claim pet care expense in his bankruptcy plan over a trustee’s objection. The judge in that case found that a family pet should not become “a helpless casualty of a family’s financial crisis,” and “as long as the Debtor is ready and willing to provide the pet with a loving home, the Debtor should not be prevented by the bankruptcy process from continuing to do so.”

Family pets, or “companion animals,” are not limited to dogs or cats. In the case of In re Gallegos, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Idaho held that a pet horse, although residing outdoors, could qualify as a “household pet.” In Gallegos the judge held that “[i]t is more the fact that an animal is held primarily for the enjoyment and companionship of its owners, and not for some other reason, that makes the pet a member of a debtor's household.”

Like any other monthly expense, pet care expenses must be reasonable. One bankruptcy court found that spending $100 for the care of two dogs was reasonable, while another court found that $750 per month for pet care expense was not reasonable.

If you are struggling with debt and need help with your finances, consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney before making any important and long-lasting decision. You owe it to your loved ones to consider all the available options before deciding on a course of action.

A short sale is the sale of real estate for less than the balance owed on the property. Short sales are common in today's real estate market, where home prices have fallen and the home owner is no longer able to pay the mortgage loan. A short sale takes cooperation between the home owner and the lender to sell the property at a loss. Both parties must consent to the sale. A short sale can avoid a foreclosure, which can be mutually beneficial to the parties. The lender avoids the expense of a foreclosure and the home owner avoids the negative impact on personal credit.

Short sales were seldom used by homeowners prior to the mortgage crisis because a short sale results in a deficiency balance obligation to the homeowner. The home owner was sometimes sued for the difference between the amount owed on the home and the short sale price, or, more commonly was taxed by the IRS on the amount "forgiven" by the lender. Either way, a short sale created another heavy burden on the home owner.

In response to the mortgage crisis, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act was signed into law in 2007 which excludes from income a discharge of debt on a principle residence. Debt forgiven by a lender in connection with a foreclosure, refinance, or short sale in calendar years 2007 through 2012 is eligible for this relief. Up to $2 million is excluded ($1 million if married filing separately). This relief only applies to a principal residence, and does not include a second home, credit cards, or a car loan.

A forgiven debt is generally taxed as income to the tax payer, but that is not always the case. The most common exclusions of this tax are: (1) if the tax payer was insolvent immediately before the debt was forgiven; (2) if the debt was discharged in bankruptcy; or (3) if the debt is a qualified principal residence indebtedness until 2012.

If you are struggling with a home mortgage and need to walk away, consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney and learn how the law can work for you. Your attorney can explain your options and together you can make the decisions for a better financial future.

Consider the following example:

 Tom and Becky Sawyer get a divorce. They have no children and Tom and Becky each have identical incomes (Tom is an aspiring riverboat captain and Becky owns a seamstress business). Tom and Becky are joint owners of a 2008 Pontiac GTO which they own outright, and they have $20,000 in joint credit card debt. Becky agrees to sign over the GTO to Tom in exchange for Tom paying the credit cards. The family court judge (Judge Thatcher, of course), orders that Tom will hold Becky harmless for any nonpayment on the credit cards. Later Tom is fired from his riverboat captain job (it wasn't his fault – honest!) and is unable to pay the credit cards. Poor Tom sold the GTO and is now considering bankruptcy to discharge his debts.

Tom and Becky's situation is fairly common and causes quite a bit of confusion in real life. First, Becky is still obligated to the credit card companies despite Judge Thatcher's decree. Briefly, this is because the credit card companies were not parties to Tom and Becky's divorce, so the legal relationship between Becky and the card companies did not change.

Second, Tom is able to discharge his debt to the card companies through either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, but he cannot discharge Becky's obligation to pay this debt because Becky did not file bankruptcy.

Finally, while Tom can discharge his obligation to the credit card companies, there is a second obligation: Judge Thatcher's order that he hold Becky harmless if he fails to pay the credit card debt. When Tom does not pay the credit card companies, Becky can ask Judge Thatcher to enforce the hold harmless order against Tom.

Whether Tom can discharge the hold harmless order in bankruptcy depends on whether the debt and the hold harmless clause constitute a "Domestic Support Obligation" that is in the nature of “alimony, maintenance, and support.” A Domestic Support Obligation cannot be discharged, but the bankruptcy filing may stop collection actions such as wage garnishment, bank seizure, or even jail for contempt of court; and a Chapter 13 may provide time to repay support money owed to a spouse, former spouse, or child.

A debt not in the nature of “alimony, maintenance, and support” is commonly referred to as a "property settlement." If Tom's obligation to pay the credit card companies is a property settlement, then the hold harmless clause can be discharged at the end of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but cannot be discharged in Chapter 7.

Determining whether the debt is a "Domestic Support Obligation" or a "property settlement" depends on specific facts and requires the careful consideration of an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Call today for assistance and learn how the Federal Bankruptcy Code can help your debt problem.

Most businesses are legal entities separate from the individual owners. Microsoft, for instance,
is not the same as Bill Gates. Corporations, LLCs and the like are recognized as operating
independent from the business’s owners. When an incorporated business files bankruptcy, the
owners are not in bankruptcy, and vice-versa.

On the other hand, when the business is a sole proprietor, the owner is the same as the business.
The business is not a legal entity that is separate from the individual. In fact, the business is not
recognized as existing apart from its owner. The business income, expenses, property, and debts
all belong to the owner. Therefore, when a sole proprietor files bankruptcy, the business is also
bankrupt.

The Chapter 7 trustee who administers your bankruptcy case is under a mandate to seize control
and cease operations of your business. The main reason for this is that the business assets are
considered personal assets and part of the bankruptcy estate. Fortunately, in most cases personal
exemptions are able to protect tools and equipment used in the sole proprietor’s business.

Accounts receivable are also part of the bankruptcy estate, so it is important to provide accurate
business records to assist your attorney before your bankruptcy is filed. The trustee will want to
see all gross income received by the business, and all business expenses. Since this gross income is included in your personal gross income, business income can sometimes push the total family income over the qualifying ceiling for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Additionally, business debt is considered personal debt, so it is generally included in the bankruptcy discharge.

Every sole proprietor bankruptcy case is different. For instance, in a case where the debtor runs
a day care from her home, there may be little or no business inventory or assets. In bankruptcy
terms, there are no business assets for the debtor’s estate. However, where the sole proprietor
runs a restaurant, there may be significant assets for the bankruptcy estate. It is important for you
to speak candidly with your attorney and discuss your sole proprietor business thoroughly. Your
attorney can effectively advise you on the best future action including whether it is permissible
to continue business operations, whether you should form a corporation or LLC, or taking some
other action to best protect your interests. If you are dealing with a personal financial difficulty,
speak with an experienced bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions regarding your sole
proprietor business.

The Bankruptcy Code is a set of federal laws first enacted by Congress in 1979. The Bankruptcy Code is divided into chapters that provide specific legal protection for debtors experiencing serious financial difficulty. Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code is the most commonly filed bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is often called a “liquidation” bankruptcy and is used by individuals, partnerships, or corporations who have no hope for repairing their financial situation and repaying their creditors. During a Chapter 7 case, the debtor's property is liquidated in accordance with the rules of the Bankruptcy Code and the proceeds are used to pay creditors.

However, liquidating everything that a person owns is not practical. State and federal laws exempt certain property from creditor collection, and the truth is that only about one case in twenty-five has an asset that can be converted to cash and distributed to creditors, according to a report from the United States Trustee Program. Obviously, if you own a very expensive luxury item like a grand piano or expensive art, that property is at risk. On the other hand, if you own “Average Joe” type property necessary for day-to-day living, your property is likely protected from creditors.

The instant a Chapter 7 case is filed an “automatically stay" against creditor action is imposed. This stay arises by operation of law and requires no judicial action. Creditors may not initiate or continue lawsuits, garnish wages, or even place telephone calls demanding payment. This provides a “breathing spell” for the debtor to develop a strategy for eliminating or repaying debts. The bankruptcy clerk sends notices of the bankruptcy filing to all creditors listed in the debtor’s bankruptcy schedules.

One of the main objectives of Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to give an honest debtor a "fresh start." The bankruptcy court will issue a discharge to the Chapter 7 debtor near the end of the case  which acts as a legal injunction against the collection of debts. A discharge is only available to individual debtors, not to partnerships or corporations.

Chapter 7 is an “erase-your-debts-start-fresh” bankruptcy. Unlike Chapter 13 or Chapter 11, the debtor does not pay anything to creditors from future income. The vast majority of debtors lose nothing during the Chapter 7 process. However, there are income restrictions and some debtors may have equity issues in property. An assessment from an experienced bankruptcy attorney will inform you of your eligibility and whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you.

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The Washington Times reports that this year’s White House budget projects that the national debt will top $15 trillion in 2011, equaling the size of the entire U.S. economy. By the end of the fiscal year on September 30, the national debt is expected to be $15.476 trillion, or 102.6 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. The Obama administration also projects that the U.S. debt will jump to nearly $21 trillion in the next five years.

Clearly the budget is out of control. Does that sound painfully familiar?

While the national debt may continue to soar, you have options to regain control over your personal finances. Certain warning signs may be telling you that it is time to consult with a bankruptcy attorney, for instance:

• If your family is running in the red month after month.
• When your unsecured debt is equal to or exceeds your yearly income
• If you expect your total debt to continue to escalate year after year

Bankruptcy provides a chance to stop the financial hemorrhaging and to control your debt. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy can provide three to five years of orderly repayment of debt under court supervision. A Chapter 7 can discharge the debt for good within just a few months. Most Chapter 7 debtors pay nothing to unsecured creditors. Most homeowners who file bankruptcy are able to keep the family home, cars and other secured property.

Every individual’s case is different and the guidance of an experienced bankruptcy attorney is needed to explain your legal options. When a financial band-aid simply isn’t enough, consider using the power of the federal bankruptcy laws to protect your property and eliminate your debt. Call today and discover how you can control your debt and forge a better financial future for your family.

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In February we celebrate President’s Day, so now is a good time to reflect on some of the financial hardships a few of our Presidents endured and overcame. For many of these unfortunate Presidents, bankruptcy was not an available option. Fortunately, today’s federal bankruptcy laws make it easy to discharge honest debt and provide a fresh financial start.

Thomas Jefferson

Famous for founding the University of Virginia, drafting the Declaration of Independence, and serving as third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson lived most of his life as a wealthy estate owner in Virginia. Unfortunately, Jefferson had a habit of living beyond his means and choosing poor investments. At the time of his death in 1826, Jefferson was found to be $107,000 in debt (between $1 and $2 million in today’s dollars). His family was forced to sell much of his property including Jefferson’s beloved Monticello.

Abraham Lincoln

A face that can be seen on Mount Rushmore along with Thomas Jefferson’s is our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln. Before Lincoln was President, he experienced serious financial trouble as a failed shopkeeper in Salem, Illinois. Lincoln and a partner purchased a small general store on credit. The business failed and when his partner died, Honest Abe became liable for a $1,000 debt. His horse and surveying equipment was taken and sold, and Lincoln spent the next 17 years repaying creditors.

Ulysses S. Grant

In a scheme that seems like it was taken from today’s headlines, our 18^th President lost $150,000 when Grant’s partner in a Wall Street investment bank swindled him. Grant liquidated all of his assets and transferred all of his personal possessions to repay his debt. Later that same year Grant signed a book deal that netted his family over $400,000 !

William McKinley

While serving as Ohio's governor during the depression of 1893, McKinley found himself $130,000 in the red after a friend defaulted on bank notes McKinley endorsed. McKinley’s friends raised the money to bail him out, and four years later McKinley became our 25^th President.

Harry S. Truman

By the time Harry S. Truman became a U.S. Senator, he had lost a future inheritance in a failed zinc mining operation, and was financially ruined when his Kansas City clothing store went bankrupt in the 1920’s. He continued to pay debts throughout his early career in Congress. Due to Truman’s sad financial state, Congress doubled the presidential salary. Truman and his wife were the first two official recipients of Medicare when Lyndon Johnson signed the program into law.

Home values in the United States have plummeted 26.7 percent since peaking in 2006, according to a report released by Zillow.com. The report also sites the hardest-hit cities are Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL; Detroit, MI; Pheonix, AZ; Riverside, CA: and Orlando, FL, each recording more than a 50% dip since 2006. Zillow estimates that 27% of all U.S. homeowners have negative equity in their property. The Zillow press release can be found here.

Some economists are predicting that the real estate market will bottom out soon and then begin a slow recovery process. Sadly, foreclosures may rise again in 2011 and reverse the negative equity statistic as people with underwater mortgages lose their homes. Nationally, about one home in every 1,000 was foreclosed on during December, 2010.

Foreclosure is a very stressful process. It is a public record and is often published in the newspaper. A foreclosure can happen rapidly and often forces the homeowner to move before ready. This can be a major disruption to family and children. Of course it impacts your credit score for years.

By filing bankruptcy, the foreclosure process can be avoided. In some cases, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can provide the debtor time to cure an arrearage over three to five years in small payments and stop foreclosure completely. In other cases bankruptcy can strip away an entirely unsecured second mortgage, thereby freeing up money to pay the first mortgage. Lenders are also able to modify your home mortgage during bankruptcy through the federal Making Home Affordable Program.

If you are underwater and struggling to pay your home mortgage, speak with an experienced attorney and learn how the federal bankruptcy laws can help you. Whether you need to pay past-due mortgage payments, strip away a junior lien, or surrender the property and “walk away,” your bankruptcy attorney can explain the costs and benefits of each option.  Call today and get the advice that can help you build a better financial future.

After a court enters a money judgment against you, the judgment creditor can proceed to collect. Many experienced creditors like to start the post-judgment collection process by attacking your bank account. In this way the creditor can attempt to seize a lump sum payment before settling in to collect from your wages.

A bank account garnishment begins with the court directing the bank to freeze your bank account and turn over funds to the sheriff. Once your account is frozen, any outstanding check will be refused payment (unless the amount of the judgment is less than the amount on deposit at your bank, then the bank can only partially freeze your account). A garnished bank account can cause many problems for the debtor, especially when executed just after payday.

Bank account garnishments are almost always a surprise. The judgment creditor or collecting agent (often the sheriff of your county) must notify you and the bank, but typically the bank is first notified to freeze your account, then you are notified by regular mail. This prevents any possibility that you can withdraw funds before the garnishment takes your money.

There are defenses to a bank garnishment. You may claim that all or a part of the deposited funds are exempt under state or federal law. The notice of garnishment is often accompanied by a list of possible exemptions and notice procedures. For instance, Social Security payments are generally exempt from garnishment. However, once a Social Security payment is deposited into your account and co-mingled with other funds, the question becomes “what part of the account balance is Social Security (and exempt) and what part is not?” A hearing is required to determine this answer and the burden is on you to prove that the funds in the account are exempt from creditor collection.

Filing bankruptcy stops the commencement or continuation of a bank garnishment. Bankruptcy stops collection actions and will discharge most judgments. If there is a judgment against you and you fear a future bank account garnishment, speak with an experienced attorney and discuss how the federal bankruptcy laws can stop a judgment creditor cold.
 

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Credit Card APRs have risen over 20% during the past two years to an all-time high of nearly 15%, according to information CreditCards.com collects from 100 of the nation’s top credit card companies. While the best interest non-introductory rates are a reasonable 7 to 13%, people with bad credit can expect to get stuck with an APR of 24% or higher.

The Credit CARD Act of 2009 stopped card companies from raising interest rates without prior notice and curtailed other abusive practices. The credit card industry has responded by increasing interest rates for future charges and on new customer accounts. Beverly Harzog of Credit.com was quoted by CNNMoney as saying, “Rates are going up because card issuers know that once you get a card they can't raise the rates, so they're raising rates on the front end to ensure they get the revenue from that interest.”

So what are your best options if you have poor credit? First, stay away from cards that charge high fees commonly labeled Acceptance Fee, Participation Fee, or Annual Fee. In some cases a credit card with a $250.00 credit limit may already have $175.00 in fees charged against it!

Instead, take a look at secured credit cards. These cards are available to anyone, including recently discharged bankruptcy debtors. To obtain a secured credit card you must first provide a cash collateral deposit to the bank that becomes your credit line. For example, if you deposit $500 into the account, your credit line is up to $500. If you fail to make monthly payments or honor the terms of the credit agreement, the bank simply closes your account, offsets what it is owed against the deposit, and returns the remaining money to you.

In many cases a secured credit card is reported to the three largest credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian), so the cardholder can improve a credit score significantly with payments over time. Some banks will reward its secured cardholders who pay on time with unsecured increases to the credit line. Bankrate.com maintains a list of banks that issue secured credit cards. Be sure to investigate and compare the fees and interest rates charged by these companies before opening an account.

If you are struggle with paying your bills each month, get out of the vicious cycle of debt by using the federal bankruptcy laws. The bankruptcy discharge can be your ticket to financial stability and savings for the future. Call today and discover how bankruptcy can help you.

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Once a bankruptcy case is filed, a creditor is prohibited from repossessing the debtor’s vehicle. The process for a creditor to repossess a vehicle during a bankruptcy case is both lengthy and costly. First the creditor must ask permission from the court to repossess through a formal motion. The court then gives the debtor time to respond to the motion and an opportunity to oppose the motion at a hearing. The bankruptcy laws also provide several options for retaining a vehicle during bankruptcy, even when you are significantly behind on your car payments. In many cases your monthly payments can be reduced by the bankruptcy court.

If your vehicle has been recently repossessed, the bankruptcy laws can force the creditor to return your vehicle. Section 542(a) of the Bankruptcy Code states that the estate of the debtor includes "all legal and equitable interests of the debtor in property, wherever located or by whomever held, as of the commencement of the case," with a few exceptions. The United States Supreme Court has held that the scope of section 541 is broad and estate property includes a repossessed vehicle that is still in the possession of the creditor. United States v. Whiting Pools, 103 S.Ct. 2309 (1983). The Court in Whiting Pools stated that section 542(a) does not require that the debtor have the property in his possession at the commencement of the case.

State laws vary, but most are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The UCC gives the vehicle’s owner an opportunity to pay for the vehicle and have it returned prior its sale or transfer. Therefore, even after the vehicle is repossessed, the debtor still has property rights in the vehicle which become part of a debtor’s bankruptcy estate. If the creditor refuses to return the vehicle, the bankruptcy court may impose sanctions. Once your vehicle is returned you must provide “adequate protection” to the creditor to assure that the property will be safeguarded (insured) and that the creditor will be adequately compensated. These requirements are generally met by submitting a Chapter 13 plan of repayment to the bankruptcy court.

Filing a bankruptcy case will stop the repossession of your vehicle. If your vehicle has already been repossessed, it is important to speak to an experienced bankruptcy attorney quickly to determine your rights. You will lose your rights in the vehicle once it is sold or transferred, so time is of the essence. Call today and learn how the federal bankruptcy laws can protect your property.
 

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The federal bankruptcy system is built on trust. The Supreme Court of the United States has consistently held that bankruptcy provides a fresh start for the honest, but unfortunate debtor. However, a dishonest debtor can face significant obstacles and make his financial and legal situation worse.

The bankruptcy laws are meant to give an honest debtor a fresh start, but not a head start. The debtor is expected to make a reasonable and good faith effort to repay his creditors. The debtor must provide honest and accurate information regarding his income, expenses, assets, and debts to the bankruptcy court. The information is reviewed by creditors and the bankruptcy trustee and is a snapshot of the debtor’s financial status on the day the bankruptcy was filed.

The law does not expect bankruptcy debtors to go without food, or clothing, or to stop paying the family car payment in order to pay a credit card bill. On the other hand, the debtor is expected to pay if the money can be reasonably had from extra monthly income or by selling an unnecessary item of property.

Even with the large benefit that bankruptcy can provide, some debtors still try to “game” the system. Failing to honestly and accurately disclose income or assets can result in a denial of bankruptcy discharge. In some cases the bankruptcy court may dismiss the debtor’s case for dishonest acts like lying on the bankruptcy schedules, hiding assets, failing to maintain financial records, refusing to turn over records, and refusing to cooperate with the trustee. If the debtor’s case is dismissed or a discharge is denied, the debtor will remain liable for all debts.
 

If a discharge is denied, any assets turned over during the case will still be administered by the bankruptcy trustee and the debtor may lose non-exempt property to creditors.

Perhaps the most serious consequence to the dishonest debtor is a federal criminal charge for bankruptcy fraud. Dishonest acts during bankruptcy may be referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigation. Other federal agencies may become involved like the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s Bankruptcy Fraud Program. The Department of Justice Trustee Program maintains a website and toll-free number for the general public to report suspected bankruptcy fraud.

The old saying goes, “pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.” Don’t be hoggish during bankruptcy and report your financial information honestly and accurately. An experienced bankruptcy attorney can evaluate your financial situation and advise you in the most beneficial and legal way to protect your family’s income and assets during bankruptcy. Call today and discover how the powerful federal bankruptcy laws can help you.
 

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Chapter 7 is the most popular choice for bankruptcy cases in the United States. Over 70% of the 1,530,078 bankruptcy filings during 2010 were filed under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 7 is often called a "straight bankruptcy" or a “liquidation” bankruptcy. Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases are over in about 4-5 months and with the debtor discharging unsecured debts while paying nothing to creditors.

A Chapter 7 debtor may be an individual, a partnership, or a corporation or other business entity. Contrary to some beliefs, there is no minimum or maximum debt limits for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge. The federal Bankruptcy Code does set a limit on the amount of maximum debt an individual can have to qualify for a Chapter 13 case: $360,475 in unsecured debt and $1,081,400 in secured debts.

The debtor's income plays a significant role in determining whether an individual debtor is eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In 2005 Congress re-wrote portions of the Bankruptcy Code and implemented a "means test" to determine if an individual or married couple is able to pay something to unsecured creditors during bankruptcy. A debtor who fails the means test is ineligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but may be eligible to file Chapter 13.

An individual cannot file a chapter 7 case if a prior bankruptcy case was dismissed within the preceding 180 days due to the debtor's willful failure to appear before the court, failure to comply with orders of the court, or if the debtor dismissed a previous case after creditors sought to have the bankruptcy stay lifted to recover secured property. Individual debtors are ineligible to file under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code unless credit counseling is completed within 180 days before filing. There are a very few exceptions to this requirement.

Finally, while a debtor may be eligible to file a Chapter 7 case and receive bankruptcy court protection, the debtor is ineligible to receive a Chapter 7 discharge if the debtor had previously filed a bankruptcy case in which a discharge was granted. The limits for obtaining a Chapter 7 discharge are 8 years between Chapter 7 cases or 6 years between a Chapter 13 case and a Chapter 7 case.

Struggling with credit card or medical bill debt can negatively affect every aspect of your life. Call Fears | Nachawati today and speak with an experienced bankruptcy attorney at 1-866-705-7584. Your attorney can help you decide on the best Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code to eliminate your debt nightmare.

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