Many individuals believe that a Chapter 7 or 13 is the only bankruptcy relief available to them. However, a Chapter 11 isn’t only used for corporate restructures, it can allow an individual debtor to take advantage of a meaningful debt restructuring as well.
When to Consider Chapter 11
You may be ineligible to file a Chapter 7 case because you have too much disposable income after paying your necessary living costs, which means you cannot pass the means test. Additionally, the debt limit for filing a Chapter 13 may be insufficient for you if you have borrowed a significant amount of money. A Chapter 11 provides a good option for dealing with your debt and managing your finances.
Benefits
The Chapter 11 process allows a debtor to handle even the most complex issues and a large amount of debt. Other advantages include:
- A Chapter 11 debtor is not required to pass the means test.
- You can propose a repayment plan, which allows you to pay less of your disposable income to unsecured creditors. Additionally, plan payments may be delayed until the plan is confirmed, but adequate protection payments must still be paid to secured creditors until confirmation.
- You can modify your secured loans, including mortgages and vehicle loans. Unlike Chapter 13, however, a debtor does not have a time requirement for how long the vehicle had been originally financed before the loan can be reduced to the value of the vehicle.
- Typically, a Chapter 11 debtor keeps possession of his/her assets and manages his/her own finances under supervision of the trustee.
- Chapter 11 can be advantageous for individuals with substantial tax debt.
Downside
The Chapter 11 process can be complex and it can be costly. However, in many cases, the time and expense involved is outweighed by the amount of debt the debtor is allowed to eliminate.
Contact a Bankruptcy Attorney at Faro & Crowder, PA
To learn more about how bankruptcy can benefit an individual, contact us for a free consultation. Our offices are located in Melbourne and Cocoa, Florida.
We provide individuals, families and businesses with debt relief and foreclosure services in Brevard County included the areas of Palm Bay, Melbourne, Viera, Eau Gallie, Titusville, Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa and Cape Canaveral.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.