If you are behind in your mortgage payments and fear that a foreclosure proceeding may be imminent, or if you are already facing foreclosure action, you may be considering filing for bankruptcy protection, so that you can save your home. It’s more than a question of if you can save your home, though. You also want to consider whether it’s in your best interests to try to save your home. Here are some factors to consider about a bankruptcy filing.
A Bankruptcy Filing Will Suspend a Foreclosure Action
You can temporarily suspend all legal action, including foreclosure proceedings, by filing for bankruptcy protection. With a Chapter 7, you can often keep a certain amount of equity in your home while forfeiting other assets, but you won’t be able to keep your home and discharge the mortgage. With a Chapter 13, you can restructure payments on your home to make them more affordable.
Reasons For and Against Trying to Save Your Home from Foreclosure
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether or not you can realistically afford your home. If not, there’s no point in trying to save it. You’ll be better suited by trying to sell it for fair market value, even if that’s less than what you owe. In such a situation, you may be able to dispose of the property through a short sale. This will discharge any remaining liability for mortgage payments, but may cause you to recognize income on your taxes, though the Foreclosure Tax Relief Act may minimize the impact.
If you have equity in the home, though, it may be a good idea to try to save it. If you file bankruptcy and discharge other debts, you may be able to bring your mortgage current and keep it that way, provided you don’t incur new debt.
Another question to ask yourself—is it more important that you have reliable transportation or that you have a nice home. If you work from home, transportation is not as important, but if you need a vehicle to get to your job, you may be better off downsizing your living arrangement.
Contact Neuner & Ventura, LLP
At Neuner & Ventura, LLP, we know that the bankruptcy process can be intimidating and confusing. Our New Jersey bankruptcy lawyers offer a free initial consultation to every client. For an appointment, call our office at 856-596-2828 or send us an e-mail. We do, however, reserve the right to charge a fee to review any work done by another bankruptcy attorney. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
