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All posts tagged Top ten bankruptcy mistakes

Posted:
March 30, 2012
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Top Ten Bankruptcy Mistakes: The ‘Cheap’ Bankruptcy

TOP TEN BANKRUPTCY MISTAKES

 

#10

The ‘Cheap’ Bankruptcy

There is always some one working out of their car or basement that will do anything from window cleaning to practicing law “cheaper” or at the “lowest prices.” But, the hard reality is that there are no free lunches and we usually get what we pay for in life. Your financial future is sometimes dear and valuable and should not necessarily be handled by the lowest bidder.

[Guy Vining, a bankruptcy attorney, in metro-Detroit, maintains his office in Taylor, Michigan, where he serves the downriver communities of Monroe, South Rockwood, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Trenton, Southgate, Riverview, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Wayne, and Ecorse. If you or a family member of friend would like a no-obligation no cost consultation/financial analysis, just call or E-mail Guy Vining of Vining Law Group, P.L.C to schedule a meeting.]

 

Posted:
March 30, 2012
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Top Ten Bankruptcy Mistakes: Bankruptcy Fraud

TOP TEN BANKRUPTCY MISTAKES

 

#9

Bankruptcy Fraud

The United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 USC 101 et seq. contains numerous provisions addressing issues of fraud. Essentially, the subject matter can be divided into two broad areas: (1) civil bankruptcy fraud and (2) criminal bankruptcy fraud. Each have their own serious implication with the main point to be made being … honestly and thoughtfully make full disclosures.

One of the primary purposes of filing your bankruptcy is to obtain a discharge which is essentially the order by which your obligations are cancelled. The discharge can be denied, however, for debtor misconduct in violating disclosure requirements, cooperation requirements and other misconduct. In the civil context 11 USC 727 (a) provides bases for the denial of a debtor’s discharge. One of which is under 11 USC 727(a)(4), which, in part, provides that the court shall not grant a discharge if the debtor “knowingly and fraudulently, in or in connection with the case… made false oath or an account…” Being denied a discharge is a disaster in itself but the criminal ramifications portend time in prison, too.

For instance, the making of a fraudulent statement in connection with a bankruptcy case may also constitute a crime. A violation of 18 USC 152 is a five year felony. A person who:

    (1) Knowingly and fraudulently conceals from a custodian, trustee, marshal, or other officer of the court charged with the control or custody of property, or, in connection with a case under title 11, from creditors or the United States Trustee, any property belonging to the estate of a debtor;

(2) Knowingly and fraudulently makes a false oath or account in or in relation to any case under title 11; or,

(3) Knowingly and fraudulently makes a false declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28, in or in relation to any case under title 11;

may be convicted under this felony statute.

In the end, your fresh start and freedom are too precious to risk. Always make a full and fair disclosure of assets in your bankruptcy case or do not file it.

[Guy Vining, a bankruptcy attorney, in metro-Detroit, maintains his office in Taylor, Michigan, where he serves the downriver communities of Monroe, South Rockwood, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Trenton, Southgate, Riverview, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Wayne, and Ecorse. If you or a family member of friend would like a no-obligation no cost consultation/financial analysis, just call or E-mail Guy Vining of Vining Law Group, P.L.C to schedule a meeting.]

 

Posted:
March 29, 2012
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Top Ten Bankruptcy Mistakes: Failure to Cooperate

TOP TEN BANKRUPTCY MISTAKES

 

#8

Failure to Cooperate

Under the Bankruptcy Code the debtor has significant duties to cooperate with the Trustee. At 11 USC 521 the Bankruptcy Code requires the debtor’s cooperation in assisting the appointed Trustee. The actual duties are set forth very broadly in 11 USC 704 and includes the debtor’s duties to assist the Trustee in litigation.

The debtor must also assist in turning over all books and records to the Trustee. The duty to assist further  extends to attending and cooperating at the Meeting of Creditors required by required by 11 USC 341. The scope of the examination is also quite broad and includes: “The acts, conduct, or property or to the financial condition and liabilities of the debtor, or to any matter which may affect the administration of the debtor’s estate, or the debtor’s right to a discharge.” Bankruptcy Rule 2004(b).

Under local practices in Michigan the Trustee may file a Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Attend the 341 Hearing. In addition, the Trustee or creditors may request more extensive hearings and examinations.

These matters are infrequent. However, it is important for the debtor to understand his or her responsibilities. A failure to meet them could result in a dismissal of their case for failure to cooperate. As always, bankruptcy is a matter of equity and fair treatment. A debtor expecting to receive equity must do equity in return.

[Guy Vining, a bankruptcy attorney, in metro-Detroit, maintains his office in Taylor, Michigan, where he serves the downriver communities of Monroe, South Rockwood, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Trenton, Southgate, Riverview, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Wayne, and Ecorse. If you or a family member of friend would like a no-obligation no cost consultation/financial analysis, just call or E-mail Guy Vining of Vining Law Group, P.L.C to schedule a meeting.]

 

Posted:
March 29, 2012
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Top Ten Bankruptcy Mistakes: Bankruptcy Misconduct

TOP TEN BANKRUPTCY MISTAKES

 

      #7

             Bankruptcy Misconduct

 

In earlier postings it has been discussed that bankruptcy relief is available to the honest debtor. In a recent unpublished case by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals this concept was illustrated. The debtor, a businessman obtained significant loans based upon personal financial statements which were untrue. The Bankruptcy Court denied discharge, as to the defrauded creditor, and the Court of Appeals affirmed (agreed with) that decision. The Court of Appeals analysis, in part, follows:

    The principal purpose of the Bankruptcy Code is to afford a “fresh start” to the “honest but unfortunate debtor.” Grogan v. Garner, 498 U.S. 279, 286-87 (1991). The discharge of prepetition debts provided under § 727(b) and the discharge injunction of § 524(a) effectuate the debtor’s fresh start. See Green v. Welsh, 956 F.2d 30, 33 (3d Cir. 1992).

    (“The protection afforded by the discharge injunction… furthers one of the primary purposes of the Bankruptcy Code – that the debtor have the opportunity to make a financial fresh start.”). Some debts, however, are “nondischargeable,” such that the debtor’s liability continues even after emerging  from bankruptcy protection. Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code specifies these exceptions, which include, among others, debt obtained through fraud. Section 523(a)(2)(B) addresses debt obtained by certain false statements in writing.

    For a debt to be nondischargeable under § 523(a)(2)(B), four conditions must be met: the debtor must have sought “money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit” by use of a writing (1) “that is materially false;” (2) concerning “the debtor’s or an insider’s financial condition;” (3) “on which the creditor… reasonably relied; and” (4) “that the debtor caused to be made or published with intent to deceive…” 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2).

Make sure to discuss with your attorney candidly any skeletons which may be in your closet. In the attorney-client relationship all conversations are privileged and confidential. Your attorney can not effectively counsel or represent you when you are not forth coming with all information, pro and con. There are other kinds of misconduct that may also result in denial of a discharge for obtained debt.

 

[Guy Vining, a bankruptcy attorney, in metro-Detroit, maintains his office in Taylor, Michigan, where he serves the downriver communities of Monroe, South Rockwood, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Trenton, Southgate, Riverview, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Wayne, and Ecorse. If you or a family member of friend would like a no-obligation no cost consultation/financial analysis, just call or E-mail Guy Vining of Vining Law Group, P.L.C to schedule a meeting.]

 

Posted:
March 27, 2012
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Top Ten Bankruptcy Mistakes: Transfers to Friends

TOP TEN BANKRUPTCY MISTAKES

 

#6
Transfers to Friends

In keeping with the Bankruptcy Code’s theme of statutory fairness a Trustee in bankruptcy can avoid fraudulent transfers made by a debtor within one year of when the bankruptcy case is commenced. Therefore, the debtor may not transfer for nothing at all or for less than reasonably equivalent or fair value, his property.

These situations generally arise in two contexts. In the first situation a debtor sometimes tries to keep property out of the reach of his creditors or the Trustee and make a transfer before filing the case. The second situation usually arises in the context of business bankruptcies where the transfer renders the debtor unable to pay bills or with unusually small working capital.

In either situation one can see how such transfers are unfair to other creditors who have advanced money in good faith. Thus, 11 USC 548 allows the Trustee go after and recover such transfers, if they are made within the actual fraudulent intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors; or, are made with constructive or imputed fraudulent intent while the debtor is in financial distress.

In addition, in states like Michigan, which have their own Fraudulent Conveyance Act (MCL 566.11) the Trustee may use the state statute too as a recovery vehicle pursuant to 11 USC 544(b), if unsecured creditors of the debtor could have used the provision for recovery under state law.

Transfers that are unwound or recovered then benefit all administrative claims and creditors of the estate.

[Guy Vining, a bankruptcy attorney, in metro-Detroit, maintains his office in Taylor, Michigan, where he serves the downriver communities of Monroe, South Rockwood, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Trenton, Southgate, Riverview, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Wayne, and Ecorse. If you or a family member of friend would like a no-obligation no cost consultation/financial analysis, just call or E-mail Guy Vining of Vining Law Group, P.L.C to schedule a meeting.]

 

Posted:
March 27, 2012
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Top Ten Bankruptcy Mistakes: Payments to Friends

TOP TEN BANKRUPTCY MISTAKES

 

#5
Payments to Friends

As discussed in other postings, the Bankruptcy Code is a type of statutory equity. The concept of equity is basically to do what is right and fair to all of the interested parties to a proceeding in bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Code has several enforcement mechanisms to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.

One of these mechanisms is the power afforded to the Trustee to set aside unfair payments or transfers. When a bankruptcy case is filed all of your property becomes a part of the bankruptcy estate. 11 USC 541. The estate is appointed a Trustee by the Court. It is the duty of the Trustee to investigate the financial affairs of each debtor and to represent the estate for the best interests of all creditors.

To operate effectively the Trustee is given certain tools under the Bankruptcy Code. Among these is the power to go after and recover from third-parties preferential transfers that the debtor made before the bankruptcy. Specifically, 11 USC 547(b) allows the Trustee to recover property for the benefit of the bankruptcy estate and all creditors from a creditor who received a payment, or amount of a past indebtedness, when the debtor was insolvent, within 90 days before the filing, which allowed that creditor to receive more than it would have received as a distribution from the estate.

Thus, the money received by a creditor, out of turn or in preference, to others can be ordered turned over to the Trustee by the Judge. This is done so that all administrative and creditor claims are treated fairly.

[Guy Vining, a bankruptcy attorney, in metro-Detroit, maintains his office in Taylor, Michigan, where he serves the downriver communities of Monroe, South Rockwood, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Trenton, Southgate, Riverview, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Wayne, and Ecorse. If you or a family member of friend would like a no-obligation no cost consultation/financial analysis, just call or E-mail Guy Vining of Vining Law Group, P.L.C to schedule a meeting.]