Top 4 Mistakes Before Filing Bankruptcy

Our Sacramento bankruptcy attorney frequently encounters the same mistakes people make shortly before filing bankruptcy. These "mistakes" can generally be avoided by speaking with an experienced attorney to learn options before filing. Our lawyer has come up with a list of common mistakes. Enjoy the top 4 mistakes before filing bankruptcy.

Filing bankruptcy will requires the petitioner to complete several forms. One of the forms is called, "Statement of Financial Affairs for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy" (Official Form 107). This form consists of questions, including the following:

Within 1 year before you filed for bankruptcy, did you make a payment on a debt you owed anyone who was an insider?

Insiders include your relatives; any general partners; relatives of any general partners; partnerships of which you are a general partner; corporations of which you are an officer, director, person in control, or owner of 20% or more of their voting securities; and any managing agent, including one for a business you operate as a sole proprietor. 11 U.S.C. § 101. Include payments for domestic support obligations, such as child support and alimony.

In the event the petitioner filing bankruptcy answers the above question affirmatively, the trustee will have the power to reverse the payment issued to the insider.

The person filing bankruptcy in Sacramento has been borrowing money from family on and off for a few years. The person is greatly appreciative of the family member's help in emergency situations. The person has stopped making payments to creditors and now has extra money on hand. The person wants to reimburse their family for all of their help and makes a payment of $1,000. The trustee has the power to reverse the $1,000 payment and collect that amount directly from the family member. The person filing bankruptcy now has only three options: (1) wait a full calendar year before filing bankruptcy; (2) continue with the bankruptcy filing and pay the trustee the $1,000 directly; or (3) continue with the bankruptcy filing and let the trustee collect the $1,000 from the family member.

People have a strong desire to pay their debts and avoid filing bankruptcy. As a result, individuals will frequently take early withdrawals from their 401(k). The early withdrawal will be heavily taxed, typically does not fix the main issue, and reduces the necessary money for retirement.

Filing bankruptcy will not effect a 401(k) account. Retirement 401(k) accounts based on employment are fully protected. Its best to not withdrawal those funds. Learn more about bankruptcy and retirement accounts.

Upon deciding to file bankruptcy, the petitioner should immediately stop making payments to all unsecured creditors. The "Statement of Financial Affairs for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy" (Official Form 107) includes the following question:

During the 90 days before you filed for bankruptcy, did you pay any creditor a total of $600 or more?

Similar to the discussion above regarding insider payments, payments to regular creditors shortly before filing bankruptcy will be heavily scrutinized. The common example is the desire to pay back a credit card that the petitioner has held for 20 years. They have a sentimental attachment to the creditor. This is considered unfair treatment and a preferential payment. Why should only one creditor get $2,000? The trustee will have the power to reverse that payment and redistribute it to all of the creditors. The trustee will likely ask more questions at the 341 meeting of creditors on the payments. Moreover, rather than make payments to creditors, the petitioner could save the money or spend it on other necessities!

Debts obtained shortly before filing bankruptcy are likely to cause problems. There are arguments that the petition never intended to pay back the loan because it was acquired so close in time to filing the bankruptcy. Bankruptcy Code Section 11 U.S.C. 523 details exceptions to discharge.

A discharge under this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt (2) for money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained by—(A) false pretenses, a false representation, or actual fraud, other than a statement respecting the debtor’s or an insider’s financial condition.

(C) for purposes of subparagraph A  (I) consumer debts owed to a single creditor and aggregating more than $500 for luxury goods or services incurred by an individual debtor on or within 90 days before the order for relief under this title are presumed to be nondischargeable; and (II) cash advances aggregating more than $750 that are extensions of consumer credit under an open end credit plan obtained by an individual debtor on or within 70 days before the order for relief under this title, are presumed to be nondischargeable.

• Pay back any creditors, including family members;

• Withdrawal any money from their 401(k); or,

• Incur any new debts, including payday loans and credit cards.

Whether you've already filed bankruptcy or are simply trying to find a way to avoid the common mistakes people make before filing bankruptcy, it is highly recommended that you speak with a bankruptcy attorney. Most attorneys will provide a free initial consultation and its an opportunity to learn the options. Feel free to contact Sacramento bankruptcy attorneys to set up a free initial meeting.

Call Us: (916) 669-8400

*The information provided in this post does not constitute legal advice or opinion. The information is for guidance purposes only. Individual situations vary and you should contact an attorney for a consultation. This post is considered a solicitation and advertisement. The post does not warrant the outcome of any matter. Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorney on the top 4 mistakes before filing bankruptcy.

United States Bankruptcy Courts – Bankruptcies are filed in federal courts. Here is a link to the federal courts website for bankruptcies.

United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District – A link to the bankruptcy court in Sacramento.

(a)  A discharge under section 727 , 1141 , 1228(a) , 1228(b) , or 1328(b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt--

(1)  for a tax or a customs duty--

(A)  of the kind and for the periods specified in section 507(a)(3) or 507(a)(8) of this title, whether or not a claim for such tax was filed or allowed;

(B)  with respect to which a return, or equivalent report or notice, if required--

(i)  was not filed or given;  or

(ii)  was filed or given after the date on which such return, report, or notice was last due, under applicable law or under any extension, and after two years before the date of the filing of the petition;  or

(C)  with respect to which the debtor made a fraudulent return or willfully attempted in any manner to evade or defeat such tax;

(2)  for money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained by--

(A)  false pretenses, a false representation, or actual fraud, other than a statement respecting the debtor's or an insider's financial condition;

(B)  use of a statement in writing--

(i)  that is materially false;

(ii)  respecting the debtor's or an insider's financial condition;

(iii)  on which the creditor to whom the debtor is liable for such money, property, services, or credit reasonably relied;  and

(iv)  that the debtor caused to be made or published with intent to deceive;  or

(C)(i)  for purposes of subparagraph (A)--

(I)  consumer debts owed to a single creditor and aggregating more than $675   1 for luxury goods or services incurred by an individual debtor on or within 90 days before the order for relief under this title are presumed to be nondischargeable;  and

(II)  cash advances aggregating more than $950   1 that are extensions of consumer credit under an open end credit plan obtained by an individual debtor on or within 70 days before the order for relief under this title, are presumed to be nondischargeable;  and

(ii)  for purposes of this subparagraph--

(I)  the terms “consumer”, “credit”, and “open end credit plan” have the same meanings as in section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act;  and

(II)  the term “luxury goods or services” does not include goods or services reasonably necessary for the support or maintenance of the debtor or a dependent of the debtor;

(3)  neither listed nor scheduled under section 521(a)(1) of this title, with the name, if known to the debtor, of the creditor to whom such debt is owed, in time to permit--

(A)  if such debt is not of a kind specified in paragraph (2), (4), or (6) of this subsection, timely filing of a proof of claim, unless such creditor had notice or actual knowledge of the case in time for such timely filing;  or

(B)  if such debt is of a kind specified in paragraph (2), (4), or (6) of this subsection, timely filing of a proof of claim and timely request for a determination of dischargeability of such debt under one of such paragraphs, unless such creditor had notice or actual knowledge of the case in time for such timely filing and request;

(4)  for fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity, embezzlement, or larceny;

(5)  for a domestic support obligation;

(6)  for willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another entity or to the property of another entity;

(7)  to the extent such debt is for a fine, penalty, or forfeiture payable to and for the benefit of a governmental unit, and is not compensation for actual pecuniary loss, other than a tax penalty--

(A)  relating to a tax of a kind not specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection;  or

(B)  imposed with respect to a transaction or event that occurred before three years before the date of the filing of the petition;

(8)  unless excepting such debt from discharge under this paragraph would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor's dependents, for--

(A)(i)  an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit, or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit or nonprofit institution;  or

(ii)  an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend;  or

(B)  any other educational loan that is a qualified education loan, as defined in section 221(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , incurred by a debtor who is an individual;

(9)  for death or personal injury caused by the debtor's operation of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft if such operation was unlawful because the debtor was intoxicated from using alcohol, a drug, or another substance;

(10)  that was or could have been listed or scheduled by the debtor in a prior case concerning the debtor under this title or under the Bankruptcy Act in which the debtor waived discharge, or was denied a discharge under section 727(a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7) of this title, or under section 14c(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), or (7) of such Act;

(11)  provided in any final judgment, unreviewable order, or consent order or decree entered in any court of the United States or of any State, issued by a Federal depository institutions regulatory agency, or contained in any settlement agreement entered into by the debtor, arising from any act of fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity committed with respect to any depository institution or insured credit union;

(12)  for malicious or reckless failure to fulfill any commitment by the debtor to a Federal depository institutions regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution, except that this paragraph shall not extend any such commitment which would otherwise be terminated due to any act of such agency;

(13)  for any payment of an order of restitution issued under title 18, United States Code;

(14)  incurred to pay a tax to the United States that would be nondischargeable pursuant to paragraph (1);

(14A)  incurred to pay a tax to a governmental unit, other than the United States, that would be nondischargeable under paragraph (1);

(14B)  incurred to pay fines or penalties imposed under Federal election law;

(15)  to a spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor and not of the kind described in paragraph (5) that is incurred by the debtor in the course of a divorce or separation or in connection with a separation agreement, divorce decree or other order of a court of record, or a determination made in accordance with State or territorial law by a governmental unit;

(16)  for a fee or assessment that becomes due and payable after the order for relief to a membership association with respect to the debtor's interest in a unit that has condominium ownership, in a share of a cooperative corporation, or a lot in a homeowners association, for as long as the debtor or the trustee has a legal, equitable, or possessory ownership interest in such unit, such corporation, or such lot, but nothing in this paragraph shall except from discharge the debt of a debtor for a membership association fee or assessment for a period arising before entry of the order for relief in a pending or subsequent bankruptcy case;

(17)  for a fee imposed on a prisoner by any court for the filing of a case, motion, complaint, or appeal, or for other costs and expenses assessed with respect to such filing, regardless of an assertion of poverty by the debtor under subsection (b) or (f)(2) of section 1915 of title 28 (or a similar non-Federal law), or the debtor's status as a prisoner, as defined in section 1915(h) of title 28 (or a similar non-Federal law);

(18)  owed to a pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or other plan established under section 401 , 403 , 408 , 408A , 414 , 457 , or 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , under--

(A)  a loan permitted under section 408(b)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or subject to section 72(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;  or

(B)  a loan from a thrift savings plan permitted under subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, that satisfies the requirements of section 8433(g) of such title;

but nothing in this paragraph may be construed to provide that any loan made under a governmental plan under section 414(d) , or a contract or account under section 403(b), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 constitutes a claim or a debt under this title;  or

(19)  that--

(A)  is for--

(i)  the violation of any of the Federal securities laws (as that term is defined in section 3(a)(47) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any of the State securities laws, or any regulation or order issued under such Federal or State securities laws;  or

(ii)  common law fraud, deceit, or manipulation in connection with the purchase or sale of any security;  and

(B)  results, before, on, or after the date on which the petition was filed, from--

(i)  any judgment, order, consent order, or decree entered in any Federal or State judicial or administrative proceeding;

(ii)  any settlement agreement entered into by the debtor;  or

(iii)  any court or administrative order for any damages, fine, penalty, citation, restitutionary payment, disgorgement payment, attorney fee, cost, or other payment owed by the debtor.

For purposes of this subsection, the term “return” means a return that satisfies the requirements of applicable nonbankruptcy law (including applicable filing requirements).  Such term includes a return prepared pursuant to section 6020(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or similar State or local law, or a written stipulation to a judgment or a final order entered by a nonbankruptcy tribunal, but does not include a return made pursuant to section 6020(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a similar State or local law.

(b)  Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a debt that was excepted from discharge under subsection (a)(1), (a)(3), or (a)(8) of this section, under section 17a(1), 17a(3), or 17a(5) of the Bankruptcy Act, under section 439A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or under section 733(g) of the Public Health Service Act in a prior case concerning the debtor under this title, or under the Bankruptcy Act, is dischargeable in a case under this title unless, by the terms of subsection (a) of this section, such debt is not dischargeable in the case under this title.

(c)(1)  Except as provided in subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section, the debtor shall be discharged from a debt of a kind specified in paragraph (2), (4), or (6) of subsection (a) of this section, unless, on request of the creditor to whom such debt is owed, and after notice and a hearing, the court determines such debt to be excepted from discharge under paragraph (2), (4), or (6), as the case may be, of subsection (a) of this section.

(2)  Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of a Federal depository institutions regulatory agency seeking, in its capacity as conservator, receiver, or liquidating agent for an insured depository institution, to recover a debt described in subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), (a)(6), or (a)(11) owed to such institution by an institution-affiliated party unless the receiver, conservator, or liquidating agent was appointed in time to reasonably comply, or for a Federal depository institutions regulatory agency acting in its corporate capacity as a successor to such receiver, conservator, or liquidating agent to reasonably comply, with subsection (a)(3)(B) as a creditor of such institution-affiliated party with respect to such debt.

(d)  If a creditor requests a determination of dischargeability of a consumer debt under subsection (a)(2) of this section, and such debt is discharged, the court shall grant judgment in favor of the debtor for the costs of, and a reasonable attorney's fee for, the proceeding if the court finds that the position of the creditor was not substantially justified, except that the court shall not award such costs and fees if special circumstances would make the award unjust.

(e)  Any institution-affiliated party of an insured depository institution shall be considered to be acting in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the purposes of subsection (a)(4) or (11).