Topeka's Only Bankruptcy Law Specialists
A recent Bankruptcy Appellate Panel decision found that the debtor may not exempt her federal Child Tax Credit refund under Missouri’s exemption for “public assistance.” Hardy v. Fink (In re Hardy), No. 13-6029 (B.A.P. 8th Cir. Dec. 23, 2013) (notice … [Continue reading]
The failure to pay tuition did not result in nondischargeable debt. So said the court in In re Oliver, No. 12-4185 (Bankr. S.D. Ind. Oct. 8, 2013). The college was ordered to release the former student's transcript in a bankruptcy court contempt … [Continue reading]
NEW MEANS TEST FIGURES have been announced by the U.S. Trustee Program for use with bankruptcy cases filed on or after November 15, 2013. Here are the Kansas income numbers based upon family size: 1 - $43, 793 2 - $57,502 3 - $65,394 4 - … [Continue reading]
The Kansas bankruptcy court is open for business even if the federal government shuts down. Cases may still be filed. Automatic stays still go into effect stopping collection. Help is still available. See how a government shutdown will affect … [Continue reading]
Only One Door Open to Public Only one entrance at each of the Kansas bankruptcy courts is now open to the public. All other doors at the courthouses are closed and locked to save money on security staffing because of budget cuts as of June 3, … [Continue reading]
But I want to pay my debts....I just can't do it at credit card interest rates. What you want, then, is Chapter 13. If the credit card company won't agree to an interest rate that you can handle, you can impose a Chapter 13 repayment plan on … [Continue reading]
Filing 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, … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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]
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]
 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]
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 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]
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]
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]
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]
