Chapter 16 - Bankruptcy Flashcards
What are the three primary goals of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code?
- To preserve as much of the debtor’s property as possible
- To divide the debtor’s assets fairly between the debtor and creditors
- To divide the creditor’s share of the assets fairly among them.
How many types of Bankruptcy are there? What chapters are they?
Five Chapter 7 Chapter 9 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13
What are Bankruptcy Chapters 1, 3, & 5?
Administrative rules that apply to all types of Bankruptcy proceedings.
What are the two main types of goals for bankruptcy?
Rehabilitation
or
Liquidation
What bankruptcy chapters have the objective of rehabilitation for the debtor?
Chapters 11 & 13
Which bankruptcy is also known as Straight Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 - Liquidation
Which bankruptcy chapter’s topic is Municipal Bankruptcies?
Chapter 9
Which bankruptcy chapter’s topic is Reorganization?
Chapter 11
Which bankruptcy chapter’s topic is Family Farmers?
Chapter 12
Which bankruptcy chapter’s topic is Consumer Reorganization?
Chapter 13
Which bankruptcy chapter’s topic is Liquidation?
Chapter 7
If Chapter 11 and 13 both deal with reorganization, what is the difference between the two?
Chapter 11 is for Wealthy Individuals and businesses. It allows for businesses to continue.
Chapter 13 is for the general debtor.
What is the description for a Chapter 7 - Liquidation bankruptcy?
The bankrupt’s assets are sold to pay creditors. If the debtor owns a business, it terminates. The creditors have no right to the debtor’s future earnings.
What is the description for a Chapter 11 - Reorganization bankruptcy?
This chapter is designed for businesses and wealthy individuals. Businesses continue to operate, and creditors receive a portion of both current assets and future earnings.
What is the description for a Chapter 13 - Consumer Reorganization bankruptcy?
Offers reorganization for the typical consumer. Creditors usually receive a portion of the individual’s current assets and future earnings.
In the last 15 years, what portions of bankruptcies have been by consumers?
95%. The remainder was mostly businesses.
What is Straight Bankruptcy?
Also known as liquidation, this form of bankruptcy mandates that the bankrupt’s assets be sold to pay the creditors, but the bankrupt has no obligation to share future earnings.
What is Bankrupt?
Someone who cannot pay his debts and files for protection under the Bankruptcy Code
What is a Debtor?
Another term for Bankrupt (person)
Who can file bankruptcy?
Any
- individual, partnership, corporation, or other business that
- lives, conducts business, OR owns a property in the US.
How does a Bankruptcy petition begin?
A case begins with the filing of a bankruptcy petition in federal district court.
How can debtors begin bankruptcy?
Willingly or Involuntarily
What are the two requirements INDIVIDUALS must meet before filing bankruptcy?
- Within 180 days before the filing, an individual must undergo credit counseling with an approved agency
- Individuals debtors may file under Chapter 7 only if they earn less than the median income in their state OR they cannot afford to pay back at least $7,025 over FIVE years.
Generally, all other debtors must file under Chapters 11 or 13 (Requiring bankrupt to repay some debt)
What is the test to allow people with income higher than $7,025 to see if they may still be eligible to file under Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
BAPCPA (Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005) Means Test
Is it necessary to be insolvent to file bankruptcy?
No
What documents must a voluntary petition include? 6
-Petition - Begins the Case. Easy Form
-List of Creditors - Names and Addresses
-Schedule of Assets and Liabilities - List of the debtor’s assets and debts
-Claim of Exemptions - List of all assets the debtor is entitles to keep
-Schedule of Income & Expenditures - The debtor’s job, income, and expenses.
Statement of Financial Affairs- A summary of the debtor’s financial history and current financial condition. In particular, the debtor must list any recent payments to creditors and any other property held by someone else for the debtor.
Who files an involuntary petition?
A debtor’s creditors.
What are the requirements that an involuntary petition must meet? 3
- The debtor must owe at least $14,425 in unsecured claims to the creditors who file.
- If the debtor has at least 12 creditors, 3 or more must sign the petition. If the debtor has fewer than 12, any of them may file a petition
- The creditors must allege either that a custodian for the debtor’s property has been appointed in the prior 120 days or that the debtor has generally not been paying debts that are due.
What is an Order for Relief?
An official acknowledgement that a debtor is under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court. This is the second step for a creditor after they have filed an involuntary petition.
What must a debtor supply for a case of involuntary bankruptcy?
Everything they must under voluntary bankruptcy after the court receives the petition and order for relief.
What is a US Trustee?
The person that oversees the administration of bankruptcy law in a region.
Who appoints a U.S. Trustee?
The U.S. Attorney General.
Do creditors get a say in a debtor’s trustee?
Yes. The creditors have a right to elect a trustee, who is responsible for gathering the bankrupt’s assets and dividing them among the creditors, but often do not both, allowing the U.S. Trustee to make the selection.
What is Proof of Claim?
A form stating the name of a an UNSECURED creditor and the amount of the claim against a debtor.
Secured creditors don’t file this.
What is an Automatic Stay?
Prohibits creditors from collecting debts that the bankrupt incurred before the petition was filed.