What Can Go Wrong With Your Chapter 7 Case

  Most Chapter 7 filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee proceed without many problems and result in a discharge of all debts, there are instances where issues do arise.  Clark and Washington offers you experienced legal help to avoid problems from arising at all, but if they do, our law firm will stand behind you 100%.  Usually problems in Chapter 7 cases arise when changes for the better happen after you file - i.e., a raise, a new job or an inheritance.  In other situations, an important bit of financial information was not included in your petition.

Avoiding Problems in Your Chattanooga Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case

  You can help us avoid most Chapter 7 problems by providing to us a full and complete disclosure about your assets, income and recent financial actions.  This is why was ask our clients to complete a long and detailed Tennessee bankruptcy questionnaire.   Examples of the type of "money events" that may create problems include:

• a recent raise
• a one-time bonus you received in the last year
• money that someone owes you
• a personal injury, workers comp, Social Security or other claim that you are pursuing
• an injury claim that your spouse or someone else who lives with you is pursuing
  any transfer of a house, car or other asset to a friend or relative within the past year
• a repayment of a loan to a friend or relative in the last year
• someone else owns property, but your name was added to a bank account or deed for estate planning purposes
• you co-signed a loan for a friend or relative and forgot about doing so

  Some of the problems arising from money events like the ones listed above can be solved easily - simply by disclosing the event.  In other cases, we may have to look at converting your case to a Chapter 13 or allowing your case to be dismissed.

Attorney Client Privilege Applies to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Consultation

  As attorneys licensed by the State Bar of Tennessee, anything you tell us is protected by the “attorney client privilege.”   You should be completely open and honest with us. If there is a problem that would prevent you from receiving a discharge in a Chapter 7, we are better off discussing that problem before we file rather than afterwards.

  It should go without saying that you should never try to engage in fraudulent behavior while in bankruptcy.  Examples of fraud include filing a case using a false Social Security number or name, or quitclaiming property back and forth to stop a foreclosure.  Those types of activities are criminal and can land you in prison.

  As noted above, most Chapter 7 cases wind their way through the bankruptcy system without any problems at all.  As long as you extend your best efforts in providing us the information we ask you for, there is a very good chance that you will be very happy with the results of your Chapter 7 case.