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Business Law
Bankruptcy and debt
29
Accounting
Graduate
09/02/2016

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Cards

Term
What are the basic actions that occur in a bankruptcy?
Definition
Bankruptcy gives creditors protection from their creditors and stops them from either permanently (Chapter 7) or temporarily (Chapter 11 or 13) collecting a debt. The filing halts collection activity; grants automatic stay (with certain exceptions), and stops creditors from suing debtor.
Term
For what debts does bankruptcy NOT stop collections?
Definition
Student Loans
Income taxes from previous 3 years
Alimony & Child Support
Debts/judgements resulting from drunk driving
Pension obligations
Debts relating to SOX violations
Debts arising from illegal activities
Debts not listed in the bankruptcy filing
Term
How does bankruptcy of a corporation affect the owner's ability to file bankruptcy?
Definition
It doesn't; because the corporation is a separate legal entity.

Under bankruptcy; corporations are dissolved

Under bankruptcy; individuals are discharged
Term
What key action will cause a bankruptcy discharge to be denied?
Definition
If a debtor fails to keep good records or falsifies documents; a discharge will be denied
Term
What are the basic characteristics of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation)?
Definition
Discharges all non-exempt debt

Can only be filed every 8 years from previous Chapter 7 filing

Voluntary or involuntary filing

Certain businesses are disallowed from Chapter 7 bankruptcies - Railroads; Banks; Insurance companies; Savings & loans (think: 7th inning RBIs)
Term
What are the requirements for a voluntary bankruptcy filing under Chapter 7?
Definition
Must pass means test

Your income must be below the median income for your state (Note - median; i.e. middle; not mean; i.e. average)

Credit card companies made it harder for people to declare Chapter 7 when they lobbied Congress in 2005
Term
What are the requirements for an involuntary bankruptcy filing under Chapter 7?
Definition
In some cases; your creditors can force you into Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 BK

Creditors must be able to prove that they are not being paid on time (i.e. debtor is insolvent) or that within the past 120 days the debtor assigned a custodian of the secured property

If 12+ unsecured creditors - at least 3 must file; claims must be in excess of $15325

If less than 12 unsecured creditors - only 1 must file; claim(s) must be in excess of $15325

Upon filing; a judge will declare an order for relief unless the debtor protests
Term
What entities are disallowed from involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings?
Definition
Charities

Farms
Term
How can a debtor reclaim possession of their property from the interim bankruptcy under Chapter 7?
Definition
If the debtor pays the court-assigned bond to keep a property in an involuntary BK; they can
reclaim possession of their property from the interim BK trustee
Term
What are the basic characteristics of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy (business repayment) filing?
Definition
Allows a business a reprieve from creditors
Creates a payment plan for the debt
Business remains in operation
At least 2/3 of each debt class of creditors must consent to reorganization
Ch. 11 Involuntary petitions are allowed
Term
What are the basic characteristics of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy (personal repayment) filing?
Definition
Similar to Chapter 11; but for individuals

Gives individuals a reprieve from creditors

Creates a payment plan for the debt

Ch. 13 Involuntary petitions are not allowed
Term
What are the duties and abilities of a bankruptcy trustee?
Definition
Represents the bankruptcy estate

Can sue or be sued

Oversees bankruptcy and watches for preferential creditor payments

Oversees priority transfer of assets to creditors
Term
How and when is a bankruptcy trustee appointed?
Definition
Optional - Creditors decide

Can be elected by creditors or can be appointed by the court
Term
What actions can a bankruptcy trustee take with respect to preferential creditor payments in a bankruptcy?
Definition
Trustee can void payments on antecedent (past) debts that occur within 90 days of a BK filing

A Trustee cannot void a payment made to a creditor that is an even swap (contemporaneous exchange) and for new value

A voidable preference must be on an old debt where the debtor is basically picking and choosing which creditors they send money to (AKA a voidable preference)
Term
When can preferential transfers be voided by a bankruptcy (BK) trustee?
Definition
Made within One Year of BK to insider - Corporate officers/directors; Partners; Relatives

Made within 3 Months of BK non-insider

Creditor receives larger payment than BK liquidation would have granted
Term
What is the treatment of a secured creditor in a bankruptcy?
Definition
Superior to claims of other types of creditors

Can take either collateral or cash proceeds from the sale of an asset

If collateral doesn't satisfy amount owed; Secured Creditors become a general creditor for the difference.
Term
What is the order of priority given to unsecured creditors in a bankruptcy?
Definition
1. BK Trustee and Attorney fees get paid before all other unsecured credit cards
2. Salaries required to continue business once BK proceedings begin
3. Any claims filed resulting from business operations that occur after involuntary BK is filed
4. Wages owed to employees
5. Retirement contributions within last 6 months
6. Consumer deposits for undelivered goods
7. Child Support & Alimony
8. Taxes
9. Other general unsecured claims
Term
What are key aspects of a bankruptcy involving a landlord or leases under Chapter 7?
Definition
The bankruptcy trustee can act in the best interest of the creditors and assign the leases under contract to the creditors

The trustee has 60 days to assume leases on equipment after bankruptcy is granted or the leases will be rejected
Term
What is the bankruptcy estate?
Definition
The pool of assets available to creditors until liquidation
Term
What assets are exempt from creditors in a bankruptcy estate?
Definition
Social security

Disability payments

Unemployment; Child Support; Alimony; Wages; Pensions; Annuities to the extent that they provide reasonable support for debtor and dependents
Term
How long after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing can creditors claim inheritance or insurance payments for repayment?
Definition
Inheritance/Insurance payments received within 180 days of filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy become part of the BK Estate
Term
What is a garnishment with respect to a bankruptcy?
Definition
Court allows a creditor to garnish or take a portion of the debtor's paycheck
Term
What is a mechanics lien?
Definition
Lien on real property to secure payment for a repair/improvement done to the house

A contractor builds an addition to your house and you won't pay. They can't repo your house; so they get a Mechanics Lien that sticks until you sell your house and they get paid
Term
What is an artisan's lien?
Definition
Applies to personal property like a car

If the dealership does $500 in repairs to your car; you don't get the car back until you pay
Term
What is a surety (co-signing)?
Definition
A third party agrees to be liable for a loan

Example: A parent co-signs on their child's car loan
Term
How is a surety liable in a transaction?
Definition
A surety is primarily liable

Surety can be released from liability if the creditor behaves in a way that increases the risk that they
initially agreed to

Surety can be released from liability if the debtor changes the loan agreement in a way that materially
increases the surety's risk
Term
What is a cosurety; and how are they liable in a transaction?
Definition
Two sureties are guaranteeing the same debt

Proportionately liable - If one cosurety is released from their obligation; then the remaining cosureties
have their proportionate share reduced by the released party's percentage

If one surety pays more than their proportionate share of the risk; then the other sureties must compensate them for the difference; which is called Right of Contribution
Term
What is a guarantor?
Definition
Similar to surety; but a guarantor is secondarily liable
Term
What are the basic rights of a debtor under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
Definition
Basically - your creditors have the right to collect from you; but not abuse you or embarrass you

The can't contact you once you're represented by an attorney

They can call other people to find out where you are; but they cannot identify themselves as collectors

They must stop calling you at work if you send them a certified letter that says my employer doesn't allow me to take calls at work.

They must call you only at reasonable hours of the day - according to your time zone; not theirs
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