Chapter 13

Knoxville Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney

Helping Clients in Tennessee Repay Their Debts Over Time With Chapter 13

Known as a “debt repayment plan,” Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides debtors with a way to repay creditors through monthly payments over a 3-5 year period. Most people end up repaying a portion of their debts and have the remaining qualifying debt discharged.

Schedule a free consultation to meet with our experienced lawyers and regain control of your life. Our Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys are in Knoxville, Morristown, and Sevierville. We proudly serve clients throughout East Tennessee.

How Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Work?

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is often referred to as a “wage earner plan” or a “debt repayment plan.” In some ways, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is similar to the debt repayment program of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, but there are significant differences.

Timeline: In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the debtor files a “Chapter 13 Plan” with the Bankruptcy Court agreeing to make the best effort to pay off as much debt as possible over a three to five-year period of time. Some debts must be paid in Chapter 13; others need not be.
Repayment Plans: The debtor makes a monthly payment to a bankruptcy trustee determined by monthly take-home pay less monthly living expenses. For example, if take-home pay is $2,000 per month and living expenses are $1,800 per month, the payment to the trustee will be $200 per month.
Debt Discharge: Generally, in Chapter 13, secured debts must be paid in full, as well as “priority” debts (most back taxes and child support). Any funds left over after payment of secured and priority debts are split equally among the unsecured creditors. They each receive some percentage of what is owed, depending on the ability to pay. Most unsecured debts remaining at the end of the case are discharged. This is distinguished from Consumer Credit Counseling Service, where obligations are paid completely over an extended repayment period.

What are The Benefits of Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Consumers turn to Chapter 13, as opposed to Chapter 7, for two reasons: they fail to qualify for Chapter 7 or want to maintain their property.

There are several benefits that Chapter 13, including:

Get several debts discharged and pay back less than you owe
Keep the property that you are making payments on during the repayment period
Avoid missed payments, defaults, and lawsuits that would hurt your credit
Apply for a mortgage loan modification under the court's supervision
Catch up on past-due payments
Save your home from foreclosure
Prevent repossession of your property
Stop creditor harassment
Have more time to make your payments

Chapter 13 Eligibility - Do I Qualify?

Chapter 13 is ideal for individuals or couples who:

Have enough income to make the monthly payments
Have not had a previous bankruptcy dismissed 180 days prior
Are within the debt limitations
Are not eligible to file for Chapter 7

Businesses are not eligible for Chapter 13 and must file for Chapter 11.

Contact Our Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer Today

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is an excellent option for many individuals. However, the decision to file for bankruptcy is essential and should not be taken lightly. The Law Offices Of Mayer & Newton are here to evaluate your situation and offer sound legal advice on the right path forward. Our certified bankruptcy lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience and have filed over 50,000 cases in the Eastern District of Tennessee. You can trust us to help you make the right decision for your future.

Contact The Law Offices Of Mayer & Newton today to schedule a FREE consultation with our Knoxville Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer!

Client Reviews

Hear It From the People We Have Helped

"I only had the pleasure of working with this office for a couple short years. These were some of the hardest years of my life and they helped tremendously with easing some of my burdens. This office ..."
Kyle Gartman
"If you have any questions any member is quick to get back to you and ensure you are taken care of. I went in with false pretenses of bankruptcy and they pointed me in the right direction, extremely ..."
"They are very professional and always answered any questions that we had. would recommend this office for any help that you need. thanks again for everything"
Mary Neal
"Very happy client. The attorneys and staff went above and beyond to help me resolve my issues. They were polite, understanding, and passionate about my case. They always had my interests in mind, ..."
Casey
"They were able to help us to easily navigate the bankruptcy process, they were kind and knowledgeable, and treated us with dignity through a process that can be extremely distressing. John Newton is ..."
Helen Carlyle

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