U.S. citizens from all walks of life can come into dire straits when it comes to finances. If the many recessions and stock market crashes over the last 100 years have taught us anything, it’s that finances can be unstable, even for those with high incomes. Those with seemingly secure jobs can find themselves unemployed when inner-company practices or the economy go wrong. Even now, there are many currently unemployed U.S. citizens who are faced with the debts of their past and present. The good news is there’s always an option for debt relief through bankruptcy. Behm Law Group, Ltd. provides the assistance you need to successfully navigate bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN.
Whether you’re employed part-time, full-time, or are unemployed, bankruptcy is a viable option to resolve debts. A common concern for those considering bankruptcy is how unemployment will affect the process. Despite the fees involved with filing for bankruptcy, unemployment may actually be a benefit in some cases. On the other hand, certain cases may be negatively impacted by unemployment. Whether unemployment will have a positive or negative effect on your bankruptcy case depends on which chapter you choose to file.
Positive Effects
If you choose to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it may help you qualify for Chapter 7 relief if you’re unemployed. To be eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, all filers must complete and pass the Means Test. This test examines the income-to-debt ratio of all filers to determine if a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right or if another bankruptcy chapter will be more appropriate. If your income is lower than the state median income for a household of your size, you can file for Chapter 7 relief to discharge your debts. If you’re unemployed, you can very easily qualify to file a Chapter 7 case.
On the other hand, there may be certain instances when unemployment negatively affects a bankruptcy case.
Negative Effects
If you don’t want to possibly have some of your assets liquidated and possibly lose some property in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can choose to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This process restructures your debts into a repayment plan that’s applicable to your situation, allowing you to repay some of your debts in a three to five-year period. However, unemployment can severely affect your ability to repay debts in a Chapter 13 case. If you’re only income is from unemployment, you may not be able to pay your reasonable and necessary living expenses and make your Chapter 13 plan payments. In order to make a chapter 13 bankruptcy work, your total monthly income must be higher than your total monthly living expenses.
Unemployment will affect your situation when you file for bankruptcy. However, depending on whether you choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it can have very different results.
If you choose to file for bankruptcy and are currently unemployed or have a low income, Behm Law Group, Ltd. can help you find the right options for your case. Contact us at (507) 387-7200 today for more information about filing for bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN.
