Means Test and Payments for Surrendered Home
By L. Jed Berliner, Springfield Bankruptcy Attorney on Oct 13, 2007 in Bankruptcy Cases of Interest, Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Decisions of Interest, Lawyer to Lawyer, Massachusetts
One of the many uncertain areas of the Means Test is what to do with the obligated secured payments when a debtor intends to surrender the property. Joining a growing majority of decisions, Judge Boroff of the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court, Western Division, ruled that the obligation and the Means Test must be determined as of the filing date.
The obligation is not removed upon surrender, the Judge ruled, but upon the later discharge. In re Hayes, 2007 Bankr. LEXIS 3252. The statute is perfectly clear so there is no need to explore legislative history for contrary congressional intent. The decision does not explore whether abuse exists in these circumstances outside the absence of the Means Test’s presumption of abuse.
(Many of us have posted on the reform laws’ Means Test. A debtor’s income is calculated for the six full months before the filing, less Social Security income. If above the median income for the debtor’s household size, then secured debt payments obligated over the 60 months after the filing is subtracted and the remaining income compared against IRS allowances. Anything left over is compared with the amount of unsecured debt and repayments may be forced under a “presumption of abuse” unless a judge approves special circumstances. (There is some dispute over a court’s ability to find abuse if there is no Means Test presumption.) You will note the illogic of using income for the past six months and secured debt payments for the future 60 months. It’s enough to cross one’s eyes.)
If you liked that post, then try these...
The One Thing I Really Want Bankruptcy Clients to Do is.... by Cathy Moran, California bankruptcy lawyer
Warning: 9th Circuit Rules Post-Petition Appreciation Belongs to the Bankruptcy Estate by Karen Oakes, Southern Oregon Bankruptcy Attorney
My Husband (or Wife) is Filing a Bankruptcy…How Will It Affect My Ability to Pay For My Kid’s Education? by Peter Orville, Attorney at Law
Garnishments in Missouri (Part Two) by Bankruptcy Attorney
Objecting to Claims: Standing 101 by Michael Doan
You must be logged in to post a comment.