Are you facing so much debt that you cannot pay your bills? In this case, you can seek help from a bankruptcy lawyer, and the lawyer might recommend using Chapter 13. Chapter 13 is a branch that helps people keep their assets and pay off their debt, and here are the four primary steps you must complete if you use this branch.

You Must Determine If You Qualify

The first step is determining in you qualify, and a lawyer will assist with this step. Qualifying for Chapter 13 is typically easier than qualifying for Chapter 7, and there are two main things to know about the eligibility requirements.

The first thing to know is that you must have a steady income that is high enough to use this branch. The second thing to know is that you must be up to date on your tax return filings. Your lawyer can explain the other requirements and help you know if you qualify.

You Must File the Documents and Create a Repayment Plan

The second step is filing the documents and creating the repayment plan. Filing a bankruptcy case requires filing a lot of paperwork and forms. It also involves submitting documents to the trustee that they request. Throughout this step, your lawyer will create a repayment plan for you and aim to get the trustee to approve it.

You Must Complete Several Requirements

After filing the documents, your lawyer will explain the next steps. One of these is completing credit counseling courses, and the other is attending a court hearing. You must complete these things for the trustee to approve your case.

You Must Make All Your Payments

The final step of a Chapter 13 case is making your payments. The repayment plan consists of making equal payments to the trustee for a specific time frame. The time frame is often 60 months, but yours might be shorter. You cannot skip a payment in your plan unless you have authorization from the trustee. Successfully making every payment will provide a solution for your financial issues. While it takes time for this to happen, it is worthwhile in the long run.

These four steps are the basic steps required with a Chapter 13 plan, and you might have other steps to complete. If you want to know more about it or begin the Chapter 13 process, talk to a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer in your town.

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