Do I Have to Give Back the Car I am Financing if I File a Bankruptcy Chapter 7?

March 25, 2010 - PRLog -- I have a question about the blog in Nov,2006.  You said that filing bankruptcy can stop car repossion .  But after you file chapter 7 do you get to keep the car and the debt is discharged or you can keep the car only if you promise to make payments on tht vehicle.  Because I have been told the only way you can keep the car when filing chapter 7 is if you promise to make payments and you do not include it in your chapter 7 bankruptcy.  I was told if you owe on the vehicle and place it in your chapter 7 bankruptcy you have to give the car back. Could you give me some insight.
–Fana

Jonathan responds:  Fana, the minute you file a bankruptcy, all creditor action stops because of something called the "automatic stay."   There are a few exceptions to the automatic stay (i.e. multiple filings, child support debt, and a few other limited categories), but as a rule, all creditor action stops the minute you file.

Chapter 7 is primarily designed to get rid of unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills.  In a Chapter 7, secured debts must be either reaffirmed or the collateral must be surrendered to the secured creditor.

Automobile loans are considered secured debts because the vehicle you purchased serves as security for the loan.  If you want to keep your vehicle in a Chapter 7, you must reaffirm it.  Reaffirmation of a vehicle loan is voluntary on the part of the secured creditor.  Generally, most car lenders will reaffirm if:

you are current with your payments

you have enough income to pay for the reaffirmed debt in your budget

your are able to shelter (exempt) your equity, if any, as part of your Chapter 7 petition

If the creditor refuses to reaffirm your choices are to surrender the vehicle or to convert to Bankruptcy Chapter 13 where you can try to force a repayment down the lender's throat.

If you do nothing – do not reaffirm and do not state any intention, the Bankruptcy Code will presume that your intention was to surrender and after the bankruptcy is over, the secured lender can repossess the vehicle.  Note that in this situation you would have no personal liability for a repossession deficiency – the Chapter 7 discharge serves to wipe out your personal liability.  However, the lien (in rem jurisdiction) that encumbers the vehicle remains and survives the bankruptcy.

So, if you are financing a vehicle and you file Chapter 7, there is a good chance that you can keep your vehicle if you qualify for a reaffirmation.

For more information visit http://www.bankrupcy-alternative.com/how-to-find-a-bankru... or call us directly.

Here's another helpful bankruptcy article http://www.prlog.org/10594844-bankruptcy-chapter-7-and-mi... for your viewing pleasure.

# # #

How to Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer distributes information through a network of websites, blogs, newsletters, and press releases.