There is a common misconception that seeking bankruptcy protection from creditors requires debtors to sell off most of their assets and property. The purpose of bankruptcy is to provide debtors a fresh start, which includes allowing them keep basic assets that they need to get back on their feet. Individuals who file for bankruptcy usually can retain most if not all of their property.
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In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, where a Trustee obtains control over an the debtor's assets, federal and state law can exempt certain assets from being sold off by the Trustee to satisfy creditors’ claims. The exemptions that are set out in the federal Bankruptcy Code are not available if you live in Georgia. Instead, you must use the exemptions allowed by Georgia state law, which in fact are quite generous. The assets you claim as exempt generally will not be seized by the trustee. Furthermore, any creditor liens on the exempt assets can be avoided.

Georgia exemptions fall into two categories: limited and unlimited. Properties allowed unlimited exemption include Social Security, veterans, unemployment, and workers’ compensation benefits. Also exempt are pensions, retirement funds, medical savings accounts and life insurance proceeds. Alimony and child support are generally exempt as well.

For other assets, exemptions are limited by a dollar amount. The principal limited exemptions under Georgia law are the following:

​These limited exemptions are subject to changes in amounts or in other aspects that affect eligibility. A skilled bankruptcy attorney can help you effectively manage the exemptions in order to maximize the property that you can keep.

The experienced attorneys at Rountree Leitman & Klein LLC in Atlanta advise people throughout Georgia in bankruptcy and related debtor-creditor matters. Call us at 404-737-9623 or contact us online for a free bankruptcy consultation.

For many debtors, a successful bankruptcy filing results in the removal of crushing debt and a fresh start for their personal and financial lives. However, there is no guarantee that debtors who seek bankruptcy protection will receive their discharge. In fact, there are several reasons courts may deny your bankruptcy discharge.

Bankruptcy laws have strict procedural rules for debtors and their attorneys to follow. Failure to follow any one of those rules can cause a denial or dismissal of bankruptcy petitions. A denial means that you are found ineligible for bankruptcy discharge due to any of the following unlawful actions:

• Destroying or hiding financial records
• Failing to provide documents requested by the court or trustee
• Making false statements (in writing or testimony) regarding assets, debts and financial transactions
• Hiding assets
• Fraudulently transferring property to friends or relatives

The Court and the Trustee expect complete and accurate disclosures of debts and assets throughout the bankruptcy process. Failure to provide accurate information to the Court may cause denial of the debtor's discharge and, in some limited cases, criminal prosecution.

A creditor or Trustee who believes the debtor is being untruthful or withholding relevant information can also file a complaint against the debtor, which results in litigation and the Court will ultimately hold a trial to resolve the dispute.

A denial can also occur if a debtor has been granted a discharge in the past. For instance, if a debtor files a  Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and they previously filed under Chapter 7 within the previous eight (8) years, the new filing may be denied.

Unlike a denial, a dismissal of a bankruptcy petition is usually a temporary rejection. For example, the debtor must attend credit counseling sessions before you file a bankruptcy petition. Failure to attend the counseling sessions can lead to the dismissal of the debtor's petition at a very early stage. Since these are procedural dismissals, the Court may provide you the chance to cure the rule violations and continue with the proceeding.

The bankruptcy attorneys at Rountree Leitman & Klein LLC offer reliable representation and experienced counsel to clients throughout Georgia who are filing for bankruptcy. Call 404-737-9623 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Atlanta office.

It’s important to understand that, once you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay is put into place that prevents creditors from taking action against you or seizing your property during the proceedings. Regardless of whether you file for Chapter 11, Chapter 12, or Chapter 7, an automatic stay can provide crucial protection as you seek relief from unmanageable debt.

Specifically, the automatic stay in bankruptcy can help by stopping:
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• Foreclosure — If your home is facing foreclosure, the automatic stay will halt the proceedings. However, whether you will ultimately be able to keep your home will depend upon the type of bankruptcy you file for. If you wish to retain your home, Chapter 13 might be a better option than filing for Chapter 7, unless your mortgage payments are current.
• Disconnection of Utilities — When you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay will prevent utility companies from disconnecting your services for a period of time.
• Eviction — In some cases, an automatic stay may temporarily stop eviction proceedings for as long as the stay is in effect.
• Repayment of Public Benefit Overpayments — If your public benefits were overpaid, the automatic stay prevents the agency from collecting the overpayment.
• Wage Garnishments — Typically, after filing for bankruptcy, most wage garnishment stops, allowing you to take home your full salary without having portions of it taken.

There are, however, certain circumstances in which an automatic stay may not help. For example, while the stay will prevent the IRS from seizing your property or issuing a tax lien, you may still be audited by the IRS or sent a deficiency notice. In addition, bankruptcy does not stop required child support. alimony payments or criminal proceedings.

In some cases, a creditor may be able to request that the automatic stay be lifted. In order to do so, the creditor must submit a motion to the court explaining why the stay should no longer be in place. If the court grants the motion, the creditor can move forward with their collection efforts.

If you filed for bankruptcy and your case has been dismissed within the last year, the automatic stay will only remain in place for 30 days, absent obtaining Court approval for an extension. Additionally, an automatic stay is not permitted if you’ve filed for bankruptcy three times in a year.

The knowledgeable bankruptcy attorneys at Rountree Leitman & Klein LLC assist clients throughout Georgia who are seeking relief from creditors and debt through bankruptcy. Call 404-737-9623 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation in our Atlanta office.