In certain situations, a debtor may not be able to eliminate any debt. Typically, this is due to the debtor owning assets with a substantial value and/or having substantial household disposable income on a monthly basis.
Assuming an individual has no other reason for filing a chapter 13 case other than dealing with their unsecured debt (ie. credit card, medical bills, personal loans, etc), a person in this situation, may wish to settle the accounts without filing for bankruptcy protection or pursue some type of debt settlement plan. However, a chapter 13 filing may benefit an individual in such a circumstance, as no interest is required to be paid on any of the unsecured debt.
The most a person must pay back to their creditors is the total amount due on their debt. The total amount due does not include interest on any of the unsecured debt. Therefore, it does not matter if the debtor has 50 houses with no mortgages and earns 10 million per year, the debtor will never be required to pay interest on the unsecured debt.
As we know, the interest due on unsecured debt, such as credit cards, is extemely costly. As a result the amount that must be paid back on all credit card debt, without interest, through a chapter 13 case, may be less than the amount paid under a non bankruptcy payment plan.
Robert Manchel, the bankruptcy attorney in NJ. , will discuss your bankruptcy questions at 1(866) 503-5655.
Toll Free: (866) 503-5655