How bankruptcy helps with evictions and unpaid rent in Massachusetts.

The eviction moratorium is ending and unpaid rents are due.  How does bankruptcy help?

Generally, in most cases, a person threatened with eviction can move to a new place, list the past due rent in a bankruptcy petition and wipe out the unpaid rent.

Most people qualify for a basic Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, tenants in debt and an evicted person can list their debts, including unpaid rents, and all of those debts are wiped out except for certain priority debts like taxes, criminal restitution, child support, alimony and student loans. Unpaid rents are the kind of debts that are wiped out.

The unpaid rent can also be wiped out in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy can help with evictions in Massachusetts for unpaid rent.  Here are a few different choices:

Eviction filing prepared before bankruptcy filed

Eviction proceedings not filed yet then property owners cannot evict a person for unpaid rent.  The bankruptcy automatic stay protects a renter from eviction for as long as it is in effect. When bankruptcy is filed before the eviction is filed a party  involved in an eviction is protected.  The landlord will need to file a motion to lift the automatic stay.  This would remove the bankruptcy protection and then the property owner can evict a tenant for unpaid rent. A renter would still owe rent for the time a tenant occupied the home after filing bankruptcy until the tenant moves out.

Move to new home then file bankruptcy

Example: rent has not paid due to the pandemic.  Tenant moves to a new home. Past due rent scheduled in the bankruptcy.  Unpaid rent subject to bankruptcy discharge. Fees subject to bankruptcy discharge.  Costs subject to bankruptcy discharge.  The bankruptcy does not affect the new rental agreement and the tenant can keep paying rent at the new home. In Massachusetts, bankruptcy can stop evictions for unpaid rent.

Eviction filed before bankruptcy filed

Eviction not presently allowed by a court.  The bankruptcy court can protect tenants. A tenant must move out immediately if the court awards the landlord an eviction.  This is if the tenant has not filed for bankruptcy protection and included the unpaid rent. This applies to Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  If a renter is facing possible eviction consider filing bankruptcy before the eviction date to get the bankruptcy court protection.  A tenant with unpaid rent will get more time in the home and allow the renter to search for a new property to rent.

No eviction yet? File bankruptcy then move

If the renter has not paid rent in a while and the tenant needs to file bankruptcy right away the tenant can file bankruptcy and wipe out those unpaid rent amounts.  However the renter is liable for any fees, costs and expenses.  Rent incurred from the day of the bankruptcy filing until the day property owners force tenants to move out.  Unpaid rent is subject to bankruptcy discharge.  The tenant will be responsible for any rent due after the filing of the bankruptcy.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation or visit our website.  Bucacci & Simonian

BANKRUPTCY – UNDECIDED OR UNSURE WHAT TO DO?

Talk To Us About Your Options:

We always tell potential clients to talk to us first to see if bankruptcy is in their best interest. The consultation is always free. Talk with Attorney Robert Simonian or Attorney Anthony Bucacci in private and in total confidentiality to see if filing bankruptcy in Massachusetts is right for you.

We can almost always come up with a solution to your financial problem. We have filed over 10,000 cases in the past 26 years and there are very few scenarios that we have not seen. We are known for our hard work, diligence, creativity and problem solving abilities. Often we are the bankruptcy attorneys other attorneys come to with difficult cases. Call today to see what we can do for you and what options are available. Often people believe they are the only ones with financial problems and are embarrassed of their situation. This is simply not true and many famous people have had to file for bankruptcy to get a fresh start.

Why Call Bucacci & Simonian:

We are known as one of the best bankruptcy attorneys in Southeastern Massachusetts serving the Bristol County and Plymouth County areas. Please inquire with anyone as to our reputation. Reputation is everything and we are very proud of ours. We have received numerous awards from various agencies and courts including the Bankruptcy Court in Boston, Massachusetts.

Using our knowledge and skill we have had several clients complete their five year Chapter 13 bankruptcy plans where they own their home FREE & CLEAR OF MORTGAGES. We understand how important it is to save clients’ homes from foreclosure, keep their cars from being repossessed and stop creditors from suing them and attaching their wages or attempting to seize their assets. This can be stopped almost instantly and we make every effort to be very available to your clients and can accommodate emergency situations. One of our most famous cases involved saving a clients’s multi-family home. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1863802/in-re-brizida/

What to Avoid:

Do not attempt to file for bankruptcy on your own. You can make your situation much, much worse. If the bankruptcy petition is not correct you could lose your home, your car or possessions or you could be asked to file a different kind of bankruptcy where you have to make monthly payments when it could have been avoided. If you are not properly represented a bankruptcy trustee may foreclose on your house, allow your car to be repossessed, seize a tax refund or other assets. You could file under the wrong chapter, apply the wrong exemptions, fail to file all of the necessary forms or not understand the significance of important forms.

Protect Yourself:

Call us today for a free and complete bankruptcy consultation. We can protect you from your creditors and protect your home, cars, jewelry and other assets. Creditors and collection lawyers have a job to do and it may seem that they are heartless and will take anything they can from you. They are represented and you should be too. Call us today. The Federal Bankruptcy Court indicated that seeking the advice of a qualified attorney is strongly recommended. https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/filing-without-attorney

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