Bankruptcy Flashcards
What is a composition agreement in terms of bankruptcy?
binding, debtor released from remaining debt,
Debtor invites creditor to a meeting before adjustment.
Creditors can’t sue for remaining balance.
What is the assignment of benefit in terms of a bankruptcy?
Not binding, debtor not released from debts.
Returns car, but still owes deficiency.
If your credit card is stolen and you report it right away, what is your max liability?
$50
Who enforces all the debtor/creditor rights?
Federal Trade Commission
Assuming the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, what would a collection services be subject to if they violate?
Civil lawsuit
Voluntary bankruptcy vs Involuntary
Sometimes creditors force the debtor into bankruptcy
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 - need a trustee to help the debtor gather his assets, MORE OF A STRAIGHT LIQUIDATION
Chapter 11 - trustee is OPTIONAL, more of a reorganization than a liquidation
Insolvent means
that your total liabilities > total assets
(owe more than you own)
-Doesn’t mean bankruptcy, debt could be long-term
Equitably insolvent means
Worse than “insolvent”
Means CURRENT liabilities are greater than your CURRENT assets
More immediate problem
Court looks to see if debtor is paying debts as they come due.
Secured creditor vs. UNsecured creditor
Most unsecured creditors on EXAM. No collateral.
Secured creditor doesn’t count during bankruptcy. Example: mortgage against warehouse, collateral, take warehouse if debtor defaults.
Secured creditor may have filed a financing statement. Has priority.
Dischargeable debt vs. NON-dischargeable debt
Non-dischargeable after bankruptcy:
alimony, child-support, taxes owed
Almost everything else is dischargeable.
Liquidation results in what?
Result after filing for Chapter ___.
DEBT RELIEF.
Chapter 7
Trustee takes cash from liquidation and pays as many debts as possible.
Reorganization results in what?
After filing for Chapter ___
REORGANIZATION of debt. Work with creditors after going to court. An extension of time. Goal is to keep struggling business in business.
Chapter 11.
In order for a creditor to file for a debtor to file INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY, the creditor must prove what?
That the debtor is not paying debts that are coming due - “equitable insolvency” - current liabilities > current assets
Number of unsecured creditors required to join to force a debtor into “involuntary bankruptcy”?
- 3 unsecured creditors to file if 12 or more total unsecured creditors
- 1 unsecured creditor to file if fewer than 12 total
Unsecured creditors must be owed a total of $______ in order to file to force a debtor into involuntary bankruptcy?
$16,750
What happens if the creditor files in bad faith?
The debtor can collect damages from the creditor and punitive damages.
EXAM TRICK
Any question on the exam dealing with involuntary bankruptcy that says the debtor is unable to pay debts as they come due is probably the right answer
Means test in order to file bankruptcy
- Debtors may file bankruptcy if they earn less than the median income in their state
- They cannot afford to pay back at least $6,000 over a 5 year period
- Must undergo credit counseling 180 days before filing
EXAM TIP
Any answer choice to a bankruptcy question that says “the debtor must be insolvent to declare bankruptcy” is always WRONG.
Need to be EQUITABLY INSOLVENT.
Chaz has been involuntarily petitioned into bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Federal Bankruptcy code. Should he succeed in having the petition dismissed, Chaz could recover:
- Court cost + attorney fees
- Compensatory damages
- Punitive damages
What does it mean to say “timely filing is key” in regards to bankruptcy and creditors?
All the creditors must report back to the trustee in a timely fashion with a confirmation what is owed.
If the creditors do not respond timely to the bankruptcy attorney, those creditors receive nothing.
Do you need 3 or more creditors in order to file a VOLUNTARY bankruptcy petition?
NO