Bankruptcy in Iowa
Are you contemplating bankruptcy or hiring a bankruptcy attorney in Iowa? Are you tired of creditors calling for payments you can’t make? Maybe looking for a way to get out of debt and have you exhausted all other options? Then bankruptcy might be the solution you seek. It is a legal option that can erase a portion or all of your debts.
Types of Bankruptcy in Iowa
Bankruptcy is a legal process that helps individuals and businesses get a fresh financial start. It eliminates a portion of or all of their debts or financial liabilities. In Iowa, to be approved, individuals must prove they have a hardship that prevents them from staying current on their financial obligations.
Keep in mind that not all debts qualify. Some liabilities, such as child support arrears, delinquent taxes, alimony, and student loans generally do not qualify for discharge. Consumers who find themselves falling behind in debt can file either Chapter 7, 11, or 13. To determine which option is right for you, you’ll need to assess your goals, assets, and income. You should also consider working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney.
Iowa bankruptcy cases are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. Your case will be heard in the court for either the Northern District of Iowa or the Southern District of Iowa.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Many people find Chapter 7 to be the right solution for their circumstances because it provides them with the opportunity to start over financially. However, before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you should thoroughly assess your income and ability to repay what you owe. You should also speak with a bankruptcy attorney in Iowa who can help you to decide if a liquidation plan is right for you.
Typically, individuals approved for Chapter 7 lack stable income or have experienced a change in circumstances that has resulted in an inability to manage their debts. Though Chapter 7 erases debts, the tradeoff is you may have to give up certain possessions, such as your home, car or some other assets.
However, once you file your petition, an automatic stay goes into effect that requires all collection activity against you like foreclosures and garnishments, to stop temporarily. However, the automatic stay does not prevent all collection attempts. For example, if you owe child support or restitution for a criminal case, you are still liable for those payments.
Before filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Iowa, you must pass a Means Test. In short, your family’s income must be lower than the median income of Iowa families of the same size. Bankruptcy law also requires that you undergo credit counseling before you file. This can typically be completed online, and the Department of Justice maintains a list of approved providers. The Southern District of Iowa abolished its local rules in 2003 and follows only the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Whereas the Northern District supplements these federal rules with its own Local Rules.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Chapter 11 bankruptcy is more complex than other types of bankruptcy. It is often used by businesses and certain types of people. It allows petitioners to restructure their debts with a reorganization plan, so they are easier to manage over a determined length of time, usually four to 18 months. The main benefit of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it does not require petitioners to sell off or liquidate their assets to pay what they owe. It does allow debtors to negotiate with their creditors a reorganization plan that enables them to stay current on their debts moving forward.
The Chapter 11 filing requirements in Iowa can include:
- File a petition with a $1738 filing fee
- List of creditors
- Summary of assets and liabilities
- Statement of income
- Small business plan for Chapter 11
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a debt restructuring or wage earners plan. In Iowa after you file, the courts will assign a trustee to examine your liabilities and assets and ability to pay bills. Unlike other types of bankruptcy, Chapter 13 involves you restructuring your debt with a three to five-year repayment plan. The flexibility of this repayment plan will depend on what property you want to keep and how steady your income is. It may also allow you to have some or most of your debts discharged.
The Filing Requirements for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Iowa are similar to those for a Chapter 11. They include:
- File a petition with a $313 filing fee
- List of creditors
- Certificate of credit counseling
- Summary of assets and liabilities
- Statement of income and calculation of disposable income
- Chapter 13 payment plan
The Bankruptcy Process in Iowa
There is never an ideal time to declare bankruptcy. However, if you are unable to pay off what you owe within five years, filing for bankruptcy can help you to lessen the negative impact on your situation and help you get back on track.
In Iowa to begin the filing process, gather all of your financial records, including monthly expenses, debts, assets, and annual income. This information is crucial to give the courts an accurate picture of your circumstances. Failure to provide all necessary information can result in your petition being denied.
Unlike some states, Iowa does not give you a choice between the federal and state exemptions. You must use the exemptions provided by Iowa code, which include:
- One home of unlimited value
- Up to $7,000 interest in a motor vehicle
- Life, health, and disability insurance benefits
- Pensions and retirement benefits
- Up to $7,000 in household goods
- Wildcard exemption for up to $1,000 of any personal property
At least six months before you file for bankruptcy, eliminate unnecessary spending. Do not run up the balances on your credit accounts. You’ll also need to complete an approved credit counseling course, usually online or over the phone. Credit counseling is necessary to help you learn financial literacy and help you learn better financial habits. Once you complete the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion to include in your filing. If you don’t have the certificate of completion from the credit counseling course that you took, the courts will reject your bankruptcy petition.
Work With an Experienced Iowa Lawyer
Hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer in Iowa during this process can help reduce the costly risks of self-representation in court. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer understands state and federal bankruptcy laws. He or she can help you understand which laws apply to your case, especially which debts that can be discharged or can’t be discharged. An experienced Iowa attorney can also offer you guidance to improve the outcome of your case.
Keep in mind that there are debt management alternatives and financial resources that may benefit you more than bankruptcy, such as debt consolidation. Though bankruptcy is an attractive solution, it is best as a last resort. Do you need immediate help? Then one of our experienced lawyers in Iowa can guide you through the entire bankruptcy process. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Iowa state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations. Contact Aaron at [email protected] for article suggestions, collaborations, or inquiries.
There are plenty of other chapters of Iowa law that could apply to your situation!