Unless you’re a debt lawyer, the interplay between bankruptcy and your income taxes can be confusing.

US Supreme Court

By Ben Leubsdorf

The total debt held by American households reached a record high in early 2017, exceeding its 2008 peak after years of retrenchment in the face of financial crisis, recession and modest economic growth.

The milestone, announced Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was a long time coming.

While it is possible to change bankruptcy attorneys in the middle of the case, it often will not make a difference in the outcome of the case. The relationship between a client and a bankruptcy attorney is one of trust, confidence, respect, diligence and communication. If there is a breakdown in any one or more+ Read More

While it is possible to change bankruptcy attorneys in the middle of the case, it often will not make a difference in the outcome of the case. The relationship between a client and a bankruptcy attorney is one of trust, confidence, respect, diligence and communication. If there is a breakdown in any one or more+ Read More

While it is possible to change bankruptcy attorneys in the middle of the case, it often will not make a difference in the outcome of the case. The relationship between a client and a bankruptcy attorney is one of trust, confidence, respect, diligence and communication. If there is a breakdown in any one or more+ Read More

In a recent decision, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Sixth Circuit (the “Court”) considered the issue of asset “abandonment” in a Chapter 7 case[1]. The Court reversed the bankruptcy court’s decision to allow the Chapter 7 trustee to compromise a claim that the debtor argued the trustee had abandoned. [1] In re: Wayne L. Wright, Docket No. 16-8019 (6th Cir. BAP, April 17, 2017).

In a recent decision, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Sixth Circuit (the “Court”) considered the issue of asset “abandonment” in a Chapter 7 case[1]. The Court reversed the bankruptcy court’s decision to allow the Chapter 7 trustee to compromise a claim that the debtor argued the trustee had abandoned. [1] In re: Wayne L. Wright, Docket No. 16-8019 (6th Cir. BAP, April 17, 2017).

It’s that time of year again: tax season. While the 2017 tax filing deadline has already passed, thousands of Californians who applied for extensions are still sorting through their financial paperwork. Some of them – perhaps yourself included – are probably wondering whether they can discharge (eliminate) income tax debts by filing for Chapter 7. This is a common bankruptcy question, but the answer can be complicated.

There is nothing in state or federal law that prohibits a California resident from filing for bankruptcy without an attorney, which is called “filing pro se” (“for oneself”). However, declaring bankruptcy without a lawyer exposes the debtor to grave legal and financial perils, particularly if the petitioner intends to file for Chapter 13 or Chapter 11, which are among the most technically complex forms of bankruptcy.