ljHoffman, Esq - Bankruptcy Law

Tutorial:

-MyCaseInfo Debtor's Questionnaire Tutorial
Summary: This tutorial walks the debtor through the process of filling out the online questionnaire from logging into MyCaseInfo.com to submitting the information for attorney review. Running Time: about 2 minutes

***The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. ___________________________________

Planning your bankruptcy is legal

We PLAN your bankruptcy from start to finish. We are hired to be your advocate instead of simply pushing you through the process. Please contact our firm if and when you start to contemplate bankruptcy as an option. The more time we have to work with you prior to a possible bankruptcy filing, the greater your advantages.

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Living Expenses - National Standards

01/08/10

The U.S. Trustee's Office uses the IRS National Standards for determining if your living expenses meets or exceeds their guidelines. By understanding what the Trustee is expecting can help you progress through your Bankruptcy smoothly. Please contact our office to allow us to help you decide if a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is right for you.

Know your Exemptions before your file:

01/03/10

We PLAN your bankruptcy by helping you understand your RIGHTS before you file for bankruptcy. Understanding your right to your EXEMPTIONS and applying this legal right is extremely important to help you after your bankruptcy is terminated. In Pennsylvania, you have a right to choose between Federal and State provided Exemptions. Please review both Exemptions Schedules. In Pennsylvania you may choose one, we recommend that you choose the best one for your circumstances. Please contact our office to let us help you decide what works best for your special circumstances.

Federal Exemptions for Bankruptcy

2009 December 4, 2009

Personal and Real Property:

(1) Household: Up to $525.00 per item not to exceed a total of $10,775.00 (includes animals, appliances, books, crops, furnishings, household goods, clothing, musical instruments)

(2) Jewelry: Up to $1,350.00

(3) Vehicles: Up to $3,225.00

(4) Work tools (implements, books and tools of trade): Up to $2,025.00

(5) Health aides (wheelchair, etc.): Unlimited

(6) Burial plot: Up to $22,200.00 (in lieu of real estate exemption)

(7) Real estate (house, co-op or mobile home): Up to $22,200.00

(8) Any property: Up to $1,075.00 per item not to exceed a total of $10,125.00 of unused portion of real estate exemption

Wages, Pensions, Recoveries and Benefits:

(1) Wages: None

(2) Wrongful death funds: Amount needed for support

(3) Personal injury funds: Up to $20,200.00 (excluding that for pain and suffering or pecuniary loss)

(4) Lost earnings payments: Unlimited amount

(5) Retirement benefits: Amount needed for support

(6) Alimony / child support: Amount needed for support

(7) Unemployment compensation: Unlimited amount

(8) Veterans benefits: Unlimited amount

(9) Social security benefits: Unlimited amount

(10) Public assistance: Unlimited amount

(11) Crime victims compensation: Unlimited amount

Insurance:

(1) Disability: Unlimited amount

(2) Unemployment benefits: Unlimited amount

(3) Unmatured life insurance: Unlimited amount

(4) Life insurance policy loan value, dividends or interest: Up to $10,775.00

(5) Life insurance proceeds: Amount needed for support

COMPARE:

Pennsylvania State Exemptions for Bankruptcy

2009 December 4, 2009

Real Property:

None.

Personal Property:

(1) Bibles, schoolbooks, sewing machine, clothing, unlimited amount [42-8124(a)(1)-(3)]

(2) Equipment and uniforms required for military use, unlimited amount [42-8124(a)(4)]

Insurance / Annuities:

(1) Fraternal society benefits, unlimited amount [40-1142-403 and 42-8124(c)(8)]

(2) Accident or disability benefits, unlimited amount [42-8124(c)(7)]

(3) Group life insurance policy or proceeds, unlimited value [42-8124(c)(5)]

(4) Insurance or annuity payments if insured is beneficiary, up to $100.00 per month [42-8124(c)(3)]

(5) Life insurance policy proceeds if policy prohibits proceeds being used to pay creditors, unlimited amount [42-8214(c)(4)]

(6) Insurance annuity policy proceeds or cash value if beneficiary is insured's spouse, child or dependent, unlimited amount [42-8124(c)(6)]

(7) Automobile insurance proceeds (no-fault), unlimited amount [42-8124(c)(9)]

Pensions / Retirement Plans:

(1) City employees, unlimited amount [53-13445, 53-23572 and 53-39383]

(2) State employees, unlimited amount [71-5953]; county employees, unlimited amount [16-4716]

(3) Municipal employees, unlimited amount [53-881.115]

(4) Police officers, unlimited amount [53-764, 53-776, 53-23666]

(5) Public school employees, unlimited amount [24-8533]

(6) Private retirement benefits deposited more than one year before filing bankruptcy [?]

Public Benefits / Entitlements:

(1) Unemployment compensation, unlimited amount [42-8124(a)(10) and 43-863]

(2) Workers' compensation, unlimited amount [42-8124(c)(2)]

(3) Crime victim's compensation, unlimited amount [71-180-7.10] veterans' benefits, unlimited amount [51.20012 and 51-20098]

Wages:

(1) Earned but unpaid wages, unlimited amount [42-8127]

Miscellaneous:

(1) Business partnership property, unlimited amount [15-8342]

(2) Any property up to $300 [42-8123]

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***The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.