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Do I have to file bankruptcy before my creditor gets a judgment?

Our Phoenix bankruptcy attorneys answer frequently asked que...
In general, a debt represented by a judgment is just as dischargeable in bankruptcy as the same debt prior to entry of judgment. Note, however, that a judgment lien that attaches to assets is only avoidable if it impairs an exemption or attaches within 90 days before bankruptcy. If the complaint alleged fraud or other grounds that would make a debt non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, doing nothing may prevent you from later contesting the facts (i.e.
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Can I file bankruptcy to delay a creditor?

Bankruptcy Preparation
Many debtors file bankruptcy to delay foreclosure or eviction and it works, but that is not a good reason for filing. If you file bankruptcy, do so in good faith and do not try to abuse the system.
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The Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure requires you or your attorney to certify that your petition is not filed "for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay.." Bankruptcy is intended as a tool for dealing with debts that can not otherwise be paid. You should not file a bankruptcy petition for the sole reason of delaying a creditor's actions.
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Gandy Law Offices - FAQ
The Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure require you or your attorney to certify that your petition is not filed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay. Bankruptcy is intended as a tool for dealing with debts that can not otherwise be paid. You should not file a bankruptcy petition for the sole reason of delaying a creditor's actions.
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What happens to a garnishment or a creditor's lawsuit once I file bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy Law Attorney Attorneys Lawyer Lawyers Columbia Te...
Immediately upon the filing of the bankruptcy petition, all creditors must stop any collections against you. The Bankruptcy Court issues what is called an "automatic stay. " This means that by order of the Bankruptcy Court all garnishments must cease and creditors may not take any further action on any lawsuit pending against you. The Bankruptcy also stops repossessions, foreclosures, harassing telephone calls and mail collections.
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How long does a bankruptcy, collection account or judgment stay in my credit file?

Credit report questions - Credit score question
A bankruptcy stays on the credit report for 10 years. Collection accounts and all other credit report information stay for 7 years. Recency is a large determinant of credit score results. Having a prior bankruptcy is not always a stumbling block toward getting a home loan, especially if it occurred more than three years in the past.
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What if a creditor has sued me and now has a judgment?

Sheri Gonyea - Bankruptcy Attorney, Clarksville, TN
After you have been sued for a debt and the creditor has obtained a judgment against you, the next step the creditor will take is to attempt to seize your bank account or wages (called a "garnishment"), seize any other property you may own, or put a lien on your real estate by filing their judgment at the Register of Deeds. There are nonbankruptcy steps you can take to protect your property from your creditors. If this applies to you, make sure we discuss it during the first interview.
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Will bankruptcy stop creditor harassment?

FAQ's
YES! Filing the bankruptcy petition in the bankruptcy court automatically stays (stops) all of the listed creditors from trying to collect the money owed them. There are some creditors (such as secured creditors on your house, car, etc.) that you will need to pay, if those creditors have a valid lien on your property, and you want to keep that property.
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How can I find out if I am listed as a creditor on a bankruptcy petition?

Ans.    Bankruptcy cases are public-record and as such are available for view in the Clerk’s Office or you may view the schedules online for chapter 11, 12 and 7 asset cases if you have access to the PACER System. You may also request the information in writing; however, you will be charged a search fee in the sum of $20.00 and copies are $.50 per page. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is also required.
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What if I do not list a creditor on the bankruptcy papers?

Gandy Law Offices - FAQ
You are required to list all creditors. If you intentionally omit a creditor from your schedules, it is perjury and you may lose your bankruptcy discharge. However, if a creditor is not known to exist at the time the schedules are filed, you may amend your schedules at any time the case is open to add an additional creditor.
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who decides what creditor gets paid first?

The Home Loan Wizard
all creditors are treated equally, after an assessment of the clients financial situation an offer of presented to each creditor on the program.
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How do I file for bankruptcy? Is there a charge?

Federal Judiciary Frequently Asked Questions
A bankruptcy case is commenced by the filing of a petition. You must also file a statement of your assets and liabilities, and schedules listing your creditors. If you choose to file a bankruptcy petition without the assistance of an attorney, you can obtain the required forms at most stationery stores or at www.uscourts.gov/bkforms/index.html. There is a range of filing fees for bankruptcy cases, depending on the chapter of the bankruptcy code under which you file.
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Return to top 4. Who can file bankruptcy?

U.S. Bankruptcy Court - District of Colorado - FAQs
A person, partnership, corporation, or business trust may file a bankruptcy case. Corporations, partnerships and business trusts cannot proceed if they are not represented by an attorney. Only an individual can proceed without an attorney. However, the bankruptcy process is extremely complex, and individuals are strongly encouraged to seek competent bankruptcy counsel. If a person or the entity who owes the money, called the debtor, starts the bankruptcy, it is called a voluntary bankruptcy.
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Once the judgment or default judgment is entered, how can the creditor then collect his money?

Bankruptcy Law Attorney Attorneys Lawyer Lawyers Columbia Te...
There are several ways in which the creditor can then proceed to collect his money. One way is to serve a garnishment order on your employer or bank. Another is to execute a judgment lien against your real estate or personal property. The creditor may seek out any assets that you may have that could satisfy the judgment against you.
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What if I forget to list a creditor on my bankruptcy papers?

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyers In New Jersey - Chapter 13 FAQ...
You can file an amendment to your schedules up to a certain time before discharge. If the amendment is timely filed then the omitted creditor is added to the bankruptcy. It is perjury to intentionally omit a creditor. However, if you do not know that a creditor exists and there are no assets for your creditors, the debt will be discharged.
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How can I get a judgment removed from my file?

Public data held on your credit report
We can also remove a judgment if we receive confirmation from The Registry Trust Limited that it can be removed. The Courts will only allow removal of the judgment under the following circumstances: insurance company (related to the debt) is not paying a claim on time In the first instance, you should contact the county court concerned if you believe that the judgment was made in error and should be 'set aside'.
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Where do I file a post-judgment motion?

NY County - Supreme Criminal Term, 1st JD
Post judgment motions must first be served on the New York County District Attorney's Office, located at One Hogan Place, New York, N Y 10013, then filed with the Motion Support Unit of the Supreme Court located at 100 Centre Street, Room 1007, New York, NY 10013, (646) 386-3860.
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What happens if the debtor in a judgment files for relief under federal bankruptcy laws?

Civil Process FAQ
Once a bankruptcy is filed, all collection activity against that debtor must be halted under an automatic Stay Order. The Sheriff does not halt collection efforts unless written notification of the bankruptcy is supplied to the Civil Division. The Civil Division verifies the bankruptcy and issues a release of the garnishment or collection efforts to the employer. If a plaintiff is not included as a debtor in the bankruptcy, that plaintiff must seek relief from the bankruptcy court.
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Will bankruptcy stop garnishment on a judgment against me?

Our Phoenix bankruptcy attorneys answer frequently asked que...
Bankruptcy will terminate garnishments as to wages earned after the filing of the bankruptcy. Wages earned before the filing may be recoverable from garnishment if those wages would have been exempt under bankruptcy. The only possible exception concerns child support collections. In such cases it depends on what chapter bankruptcy case is selected and whether the support first came due before the commencement of the case, etc.
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Can the child attending school apply for services if they are not the judgment creditor?

Division of Child Support - Child Attending School Frequentl...
Answer: Yes, the child attending school may apply for services if there is a valid support order that orders support for that child.
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If a creditor has already gone to Court and and gotten a judgment can that bill be erased?

Barry Evan Schklair - Law Firm
Generally, yes. Even if you are paying a court ordered judgment that debt can usually be discharged. If the creditor filed a lien on your house or vehicle your attorney may be able to remove the lien as well. Consult a qualified bankruptcy attorney about your particular case.
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What issues should a creditor consider when deciding whether or not to pursue a judgment?

Hillary Grosberg: Los Angeles California Lawyer, Business, C...
The creditor needs to consider the costs involved with pursuing a judgment. Even when attorney fees are contingent upon recovery, additional expenses include court costs and in some cases third party services for investigators, consultants and experts. Further, the creditor should consider the potential expense of defending a counterclaim. Another issue to be considered in deciding whether or not to pursue a judgment is the likelihood of a recovery from the debtor once you obtain your judgment.
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Can I file bankruptcy without an attorney?

FAQ (ASP)
Current law permits individuals to file their own cases and to represent their own interests in bankruptcy proceedings. However, it may not be wise for you to do so. Any bankruptcy case can become a complicated matter requiring both knowledge of the law and experience before the court to successfully complete.
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What happens after I file bankruptcy?

FAQ (ASP)
Upon filing the original petition with the Clerk's Office, the "automatic stay" immediately takes effect and prohibits all creditors from taking certain collection actions against the debtor or the debtor's property. Although the stay is automatic, creditors need to be advised of the stay.
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Will I have to file bankruptcy?

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Linn and Benton County...
We will help you analyze your situation. It will be up to you to decide if you want to consult an attorney. Many attorneys suggest an appointment with us to see if there is another workable solution before you file a bankruptcy. If you elect to file bankruptcy, you will need to receive a pre-filing counseling session from an agency such as CCCS.
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CAN I FILE MY OWN BANKRUPTCY?

The Bankruptcy and Financial Center
Any individual can file their own bankruptcy proceeding. This is called filing in pro per. If a person wishes to spend enough time learning about this area of the law, they can probably get through a simple bankruptcy filing. However, individuals with assets or problem debts are foolish to try to go it alone as they will most certainly harm themselves financially as a result.
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Garretson Law Office FAQ
Are you behind on your bills, are bill collectors calling? Is your paycheck not covering all of your bills? If your answer is yes to any of these question you should seriously consider filing for Bankruptcy as soon as possible.
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Fresh Start Colorado | Charles Lilley & Associates P.C. ...
Filing bankruptcy is a serious step, not to be taken lightly. For instance, if debtors owe only a small amount to a few creditors, it might make more sense to pay them through a credit counseling service. Bankruptcy might be necessary however, under certain situations:
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Who may file a bankruptcy?

Ans.    Any person, partnership, corporation or business may file a bankruptcy. If the bankruptcy case is initiated by the person or entity that owes the money (debtor) it is called a voluntary bankruptcy. If the case is initiated by creditors of the person or entity that owes them money it is called an involuntary bankruptcy. Voluntary cases can be filed under chapters 7,9,11,12 and 13. Involuntary cases may only be filed under chapters 7 and 11.
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