Oregon Bankruptcy Changes
Contents
Bankruptcy is designed to help those who have found themselves unable to relieve debt due to varying factors. Most bankruptcy cases include a loss of a major client, a current divorce settlement, severe illness and hospitalization, and the loss of employment.
Bankruptcy is not for those who have the capabilities to extinguish their debts but choose not to. Since bankruptcy abuse has become a prominent factor in the United States, the government passed two acts to prevent abuse as much as possible. Both of these acts are in place in the state of Oregon.
Bankruptcy Abuse Preventions Acts
The 2005 Bankruptcy Act set new limits on who is eligible for bankruptcy, especially Chapter Seven bankruptcy. The monthly payments for Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy were significantly increased in this act. The documents for filing for bankruptcy are now more in depth, have many more details, and include twice as much paperwork in comparison to recent years.
The Abuse and Prevention Act limits the access to the United States bankruptcy courts in all fifty states. A mandatory means test has also been implemented to weed out those not needing bankruptcy. A means test will compare an individual’s average income for a six month time period to the median income of the state of Oregon.
Depending on where the individual’s income average falls on the scale, he or she may qualify for bankruptcy or may have a case dismissed. Instructional courses are also mandatory at least six months before filing and at least ninety days after the process is completed. Both of these can be done in person, on the Internet, or over the phone.
Oregon Bankruptcy Basics
Bankruptcy petitions are to be sent to the Oregon bankruptcy court for evaluation. Bankruptcy can be filed using a bankruptcy attorney or by using a do-it-yourself application. Both of these can be done online through Internet databases. Attorneys are often recommended to ensure that all the necessary details are included.
Do-it-yourself methods can eliminate a middleman, but even those who have petitioned in the past may have complications with the new forms of bankruptcy. If a petition reaches the court and is later found to have false information or incomplete information, the petition will be dismissed from the court. When a case has been granted all foreclosures and creditor statements will be frozen until the process has been completed.
Chapter Seven Bankruptcy
If an individual’s average income comes below the Oregon average, he or she is often eligible for Chapter Seven bankruptcy. An assigned trustee will be established through the court to liquidate all non-exempt forms of property. Each kind of property will be liquidated at its necessary value. The acquired compensation will then be used to pay off creditors. Exempt property can include cars, homes, pensions, and others.
Chapter Thirteen Bankruptcy
If an individual’s average income comes above the Oregon average, he or she is often eligible for Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy. The court will designate a repayment plan according to the individual’s income and expenses. The plan will not exceed five years and will be done with his or her own personal income.