The Joynes & Gaidies Law Group, P.C. - Untitled 1

IRA Protection in Bankruptcy

Social Security benefits, company pensions, and 401(k) plans are all shielded by law and are, therefore, not lost to creditors in bankruptcy. Whether that same protection extends to an individual retirement account (IRA) is not clear. The...

The Bankruptcy Appellate Panels and Review of Bankruptcy Decisions

Bankruptcy Appellate Panels or "BAPs"

In each of the past few years, approximately 1.5 million cases were filed in federal bankruptcy courts. Only a very small percentage of these cases are ever likely to be appealed....

Chapter 12 Debtor and Trustee Powers

Chapter 12 provides that a standing trustee will be appointed in each case, but in the ordinary course, actual operation of the farm will remain with the debtor. Additionally, the debtor, as debtor in possession, has all rights, responsibilities,...

Treatment of Property Settlement Claims

Certain property settlements are not dischargeable in a Chapter 7, 11 or 12 bankruptcy case, but remain dischargeable in Chapter 13 cases. Support, alimony or maintenance that is incurred by the debtor in the course of a divorce or separation or...

Alimony and Support Claims

Filing for bankruptcy does not suspend or stop the obligation to pay child support or alimony. Whether an obligation imposed by a divorce decree is dischargeable depends on whether it is characterized as support or as a property settlement. In...