"Discharge of Divorce Debts in Bankruptcy: The Timing of a Bankruptcy Petition - Before or After the Dissolution?"
By Arthur W. Rummler
The Bankruptcy Code2 has several specific provisions that relate to family law and divorce issues. As with all things related to bankruptcy since the watershed year of 2005, the past laws were significantly affected by the enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act ("BAPCPA"). These broad changes expanded the law in some very important ways. This article focuses on the dischargeability of various divorce related debts in bankruptcy, including attorney fees, as well as the timing of filing a petition in bankruptcy for divorcing (or divorced) couples.
Understanding the Bankruptcy Discharge
The primary goal for most bankruptcy cases is the discharge of debt. The process begins when a debtor files a bankruptcy petition and fully discloses all assets and liabilities. Additionally, the debtor provides disclosure of certain financial information such as transfers of property, history and sources of income, lawsuits involving the debtor, and all other pertinent information that assists creditors and the bankruptcy trustee in analyzing the case. In exchange for compliance, and absent any other issues, a debtor typically receives a discharge of debts.
However, certain debts are not dischargeable under the Bankruptcy Code. With respect to divorce related debt, there are two specific provisions that apply. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523(a)(5) certain "support" debts (payments) are non-dischargeable. Broader in scope and more comprehensive, 11 U.S.C., Section 523(a)(15) applies to debts incurred through the course of a divorce case.
Discharge of "Support" Payments
Simplicity is not often synonymous with the Bankruptcy Code. However, 11 U.S.C. Section 523(a)(5) perhaps is an exception. The section provides in pertinent part, that:
NOTE: This is just an excerpt of the entire article. Follow this link: http://www.dcbabrief.org/vol221209art3.html to read the rest of the article.
______________________________________________________________"The Growing Trend of Women Filing Bankruptcy and
the Effect of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and
Consumer Protection Act of 2005"
By Arthur W. Rummler
As you may have heard, the Bankruptcy Code1 was revamped in 2005 with the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. With a name like that, it's no wonder that everyone refers to the amendment as "BAPCPA" (pronounced bap-see-puh). While the Bankruptcy Code aims to treat men and women the same, it would appear that certain sections affect women differently both generally and specifically.
Additionally, there is a growing trend towards higher bankruptcy rates among women. While the exact causes are not certain, there are enough commonalities that commentators have reduced the reasons to perceived core causes.
The higher rates of bankruptcy combined with the changes from BAPCPA present a challenge for women and the attorneys who represent them. But before exploring the specifics, let's take a brief journey through the history of bankruptcy laws.
2. Short History of Bankruptcy Laws
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry."
(Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3, William Shakespeare.)
NOTE: This is just an excerpt of the entire article. Follow this link:
http://www.debt3online.com/index.html?page=article&article_id=258 to read the rest of the article (which is located about halfway down the page).
_____________________________________________________________
By Arthur W. Rummler
It’s I.M. Wealthy on the line, a long-time client. In the past you’ve handled his corporate matters, real estate transactions and estate planning. Your partner even handled his divorce. Reflexively your mind snaps back into lawyer mode. This time there are no customary salutations and niceties. Wealthy cuts right to the chase.
He relates a sad tale told too often in our current economy. His once formidable business is sick and fading fast. How can this be? Wealthy has…or had….a great business. He had lots of clients, sold millions of widgets and made a fortune. Now he’s nearly broke and worse, he’s pledged all his personal assets to cover his failing business. Creditors are nipping at his heels and he can’t see any solution. He’s come to you to sort it out.
You listen carefully to his sordid tale of declining sales, market fluctuations, a risky takeover and intense competition from overseas. For the last two years he’s poured every cent of his savings into the company. He’s even mortgaged every asset he owned just to keep the doors open. And it still wasn’t enough. The business continued to spiral downward. Now Wealthy is facing lawsuits, judgments, citations and IRS levies. He is effectively out of business.
The unfortunate scenario of I.M. Wealthy is common today, but it is also avoidable. While economic changes happen quickly, leaving even well-heeled businesses in permanent trouble, there are usually some distinct warning signs. By heeding the signals of impending business failure, business owners can manage the outcome to their advantage.
Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") provides at least three possible solutions to business problems: Chapter 11, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. More solutions exist outside of bankruptcy court, such as out of court workouts, asset or business sales, and assignments for the benefit of creditors. However, the first step to recovery or a soft landing is to identify and heed the common warning signs.
NOTE: This is just an excerpt of the entire article. Follow this link: http://www.dcbabrief.org/vol211208art4.html to read the rest of the article.
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