by Jim Peters


If debts are mounting on you and you cannot pay them off, you may not have any option other than filing for bankruptcy. Many defaulters choose to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. This chapter involved selling all your non-exempted assets which should gives you a way to pay off all your debts. This chapter is supervised by the authority and the authority will appoint a a person known as a trustee to liquidates the non-exempt assets owned by the defaulter and use the sales proceeds to pay off the various creditors. Bankruptcy chapter 7 exemptions are assets that the creditors cannot touch when the bankruptcy is filed. Although chapter 7 is the least favorite method of bankruptcy, with the law of exemptions, you can effectively reduce your personal damage and will be able to keep some of their belongings.

In this exemption the debtor keeps the property that he is allowed to keep. This list will be provided in the Federal Bankruptcy Code. The debtor's property will be divided as exempt or non-exempt when the state trustee files a property exemption report. State exemption laws can vary from one state to another although some basic laws may be the same.

Debts that are classified as secured debts will be paid first. As for debts that are unsecured, there are possibilities that the creditors of unsecured debts might not get any money at all. The trustee is authorized to decide who gets the payment first, based on the law. To get bankruptcy chapter 7 exemptions, the debtor must file the case in the state where he/she resides for a period of 730 days before filing for this type of bankruptcy. Or the defaulter may also file the case in a state where he/she has previously lived for more than 180 days, up to 2 years.

Federal exemptions may also be provided including retirement benefits, death disability benefits, survivor's benefits and miscellaneous. Although, keep in mind that these may not be available in all states.

Yes, bankruptcy is not a good alternative and worst still, your credit score will have a major impact because of a filing of bankruptcy. Not only you will lose all your personal belongings and you need start all over again in your life. It must only be considered when there is no other option.

Of course, if you are left with no alternatives, then get to find out more about bankruptcy chapter 7 exemptions as you can reduce your personal loss and make use of it in a way to help get back on your feet at the earliest.




About the Author: