What different types of bankruptcy should I consider

There are four types of bankruptcy cases provided under the law:

Chapter 7 is known as ‘‘straight’’ bankruptcy or ‘‘liquidation.’’ It requires an individual to give up property which is not ‘‘exempt’’ under the law, so the property can be sold to pay creditors. Generally, those who file chapter 7 keep all of their property except property which is very valuable or which is subject to a lien which they cannot avoid or afford to pay.

Chapter 11, known as ‘‘reorganization,’’ is used by businesses and a few individuals whose debts are very large.

Chapter 12 is reserved for family farmers and fishermen.

Chapter 13 is a type of ‘‘reorganization’’ used by individuals to pay all or a portion of their debts over a period of years using their current income.

Most people filing bankruptcy will want to file under either chapter 7 or chapter 13. Either type of case may be filed individually or by a married couple filing jointly.

Chapter 7 (Straight Bankruptcy)

In a bankruptcy case under chapter 7, you file a petition asking the court to discharge your debts. The basic idea in a chapter 7 bankruptcy is to wipe out (discharge) your debts in exchange for your giving up property, except for ‘‘exempt’’ property which the law allows you to keep. In most cases, all of your property will be exempt. But property which is not exempt is sold, with the money distributed to creditors.

If you want to keep property like a home or a car and are behind on the mortgage or car loan payments, a chapter 7 case probably will not be the right choice for you. That is because chapter 7 bankruptcy does not eliminate the right of mortgage holders or car loan creditors to take your property to cover your debt.

If your income is above the median family income in your state, you may have to file a chapter 13 case.

Chapter 13 (Reorganization)

In a chapter 13 case you file a ‘‘plan’’ showing how you will pay off some of your past-due and current debts over three to five years. The most important thing about a chapter 13 case is that it will allow you to keep valuable property -especially your home and car- which might otherwise be lost, if you can make the payments which the bankruptcy law requires to be made to your creditors. In most cases, these payments will be at least as much as your regular monthly payments on your mortgage or car loan, with some extra payment to get caught up on the amount you have fallen behind. You should consider filing a chapter 13 plan if you:

• Own your home and are in danger of losing it because of money problems;

• Are behind on debt payments, but can catch up if given some time;

• Have valuable property which is not exempt, but you can afford to pay creditors from your income over time.

You will need to have enough income during your chapter 13 case to pay for your necessities and to keep up with the required payments as they come due.