Why Your Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Was Dismissed (And How To Avoid It)

chapter 13 bankruptcy dismissalFiling a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can feel like a brand new world. Unless you do your share, it won’t last for long.

Each month, thousands of people from around the country look to the bankruptcy court to stop a foreclosure, forestall a repossession, or simply to help reorganize their finances.

The beginning of the process involves a flurry of activity – filing a proper Chapter 13 Plan, stripping off liens, jettisoning some assets and resolving issues with the Chapter 13 trustee, judge and creditors.

The goal of most Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases is the same – curing a default, catching up arrears, and discharging certain obligations after a repayment plan is completed.

If you’re going to make this happen, you’ve got to be sure to stay clear of the issues that lead your Chapter 13 case to be dismissed. [Continue reading]

New Way to Pay Your Topeka Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Payments

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There is a new way to pay your bankruptcy payment to the Topeka chapter 13 trustee. Jan Hamilton Trustee has contracted with TFS Bill Pay so you may send money to the trustee electronically.

This is a service through a third party. It involves a fee for handling the money and there is a short delay for payments to transfer from your account to TFS Bill Pay and on to the trustee.

TFS Bill Pay costs 99 cents for a payment up to $100, which is cheaper than a 59 cent money order at the local grocery store plus a 46 cent stamps, not counting your time or gas money. The cost for a payment $101 to $250 is $1.99.

This service is voluntary. You may still pay by wage order, which is the preferred method, or by check mailed to Jan Hamilton Trustee, PO Box 2159, Topeka, KS 66601, or placed in the drop box at 507 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS. No cash is accepted.

TFS Bill Pay may only be used to pay Jan Hamilton and trustees in other states who have contacted with the service. The other chapter 13 trustees in Kansas City, KS, and Wichita do not use this service.

Payments to William H. Griffin, Trustee, in Kansas City, KS, chapter 13 cases must be paid to PO Box 613106, Memphis, TN 38101. He does not accept payments at his Overland Park office.

Payments to Laurie Williams, Trustee, in Wichita, KS, chapter 13 cases must be paid to PO Box 2818 Wichita KS 67201-2818.

New Less Paperwork Mortgage Mod Program Starts July 1

Washington, DC – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer a new, simplified loan modification initiative to minimize losses and to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure and stay in … [Continue reading]

Kansas Median Income Increases April 1, 2013

New median income data for bankruptcy cases filed on or after April 1, 2013, has been released by the U.S. Trustee Program. KANSAS 1 earner  $42,577 2 people $56,851 3 people $65,907 4 people $76,402 For cases filed on or after … [Continue reading]

EITC Exemption Update

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  We have two updates for you in the ongoing fight in Kansas for the right to keep one year's worth of earned income tax credit in bankruptcy. Kansas Bankruptcy Trustee Appeals Earlier this month, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel affirmed the … [Continue reading]

Debtors Win EITC Appeal

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The new Kansas exemption law allowing a person to keep one year of earned income tax credit in bankruptcy is constitutional, a third court has ruled. This is good news for lower income working families with children who received EITC and who are … [Continue reading]

Congratulations Judge Norton!

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Congratulations to our friend and colleague, Cynthia Norton, who was sworn in today as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Missouri. She is pictured here with U.S. District Court Chief Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., who administered the … [Continue reading]

Free Topeka Tax Help

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Here is a list of where you can go in Topeka for free tax return preparation help. If you are a debtors in a bankruptcy case, take a copy of the 2012 tax returns, both federal and state, to your bankruptcy attorney. Refunds should not be spent … [Continue reading]

Bankruptcy Dollar Limits Expected to Ease April 1, 2013

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It will be a little easier for the debtor in bankruptcy when an adjustment in limits and formulas occurs on April 1.  There will be modest increases in the chapter 13 debt limits, in means test formulas and federal exemptions when the … [Continue reading]

Medical Bills Cause Money Woes Bankruptcy Stops

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A trifecta of life changing events - illness, job loss or divorce - often starts an avalanche of financial problems that results in bankruptcy. Most of us are one serious illness or injury away from medical bills we can't afford to pay, even when we … [Continue reading]