Chapter 11 May Help if You Are Too Far Behind on Your Mortgage for Chapter 13

Article from BLN by admin

Mortgage lenders have been delaying foreclosures for people all over the country. Ask any bankruptcy attorney–they’ve seen cases where people haven’t made a mortgage payment for two, three or even four years, and the mortgage company hasn’t even started the foreclosure process. Loan modifications can stretch on, court proceedings are scheduled and canceled, an unsuccessful Chapter 13, can all delay things. As a result, the mortgage arrearages–the amount you’re behind on your mortgage–can add up to a lot of money.

When you go to most consumer bankruptcy attorneys to file for a Chapter 13 repayment plan, you’re told that the plan payments will be too high for you to afford, since the full amount of the arrearage must be paid over a maximum of five years. If the arrears are $60,000, for example, this would require at least a $1,000 per month payment on top of resuming the regular monthly payment. Most people just can’t afford it.

This may result in many people thinking that they have no alternative other than losing their homes. But there may be another alternative: an individual Chapter 11.

Most people don’t even know that individuals can file for Chapter 11; they think that it’s just for businesses. This is not true, in a Chapter 11 case, there is no five-year limit on the repayment term for mortgage arrearages. In many Chapter 11 cases, there have been repayment terms of up to 30 years, without interest. In the example above, instead of a $1,000 per month payment, you could be looking at a monthly payment of $166.67. This is a lot more doable.

Chapter 11 isn’t for everyone. It is much more complex and expensive than a Chapter 13, and there aren’t a lot of consumer bankruptcy attorneys who know how to steer you through an individual Chapter 11. Make sure you find someone experienced in this aspect of bankruptcy law. The rewards can be significant.

Carolyn Secor is a Clearwater bankruptcy attorney and Clearwater foreclosure attorney serving Palm Harbor, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Tarpon Springs, Seminole, St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Bay area.

If you would like more information on our practice, please consult our website at www.bankruptcyfortampa.com or call 727-254-1704.