One of the many benefits of filing a bankruptcy action is that it automatically stays any parties from pursuing civil claims against the debtor. Generally, a stay will last for the duration of the bankruptcy case. In some instances, though, the stay will expire after a much shorter time period.…
Filing for bankruptcy is an option for many people struggling to pay their debts. While many debts are dischargeable via bankruptcy, not all are. For example, people cannot seek relief from certain tax obligations by filing bankruptcy actions, as clarified by a California court in a recent ruling issued in…
There are key differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and which one is appropriate depends on a debtor’s unique circumstances. While debtors must pass a means test in order to pursue Chapter 7 bankruptcy, that does not mean that their decision to seek debt relief under that Chapter…
In most bankruptcy cases, creditors will submit proofs of claims. If parties object to such proofs, the courts will typically assess whether the objections are valid and, in some instances, may reduce a creditor’s claim. This was illustrated recently in a ruling issued in a California bankruptcy case in which…