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Posted On March 19, 2021
Adding Post-Petition Debt to a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Adding Post-Petition Debt to a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

A debtor can add a post-petition debt in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case under certain circumstances. To get started, he or she must get the bankruptcy trustee’s consent before incurring the new debt. Next, the post-petition creditor must accept its addition to the debtor’s Chapter 13 repayment strategy. The debtor must then get approval from the court.

Petition for bankruptcy form

The Bankruptcy Trustee’s Consent

Before incurring debt, a debtor must obtain the trustee’s approval. He or she must demonstrate to the trustee that the new consumer debt is essential to the bankruptcy plan completion. Taking a loan for a car to facilitate smooth transportation to and from work is a perfect example. The bankruptcy court will decline a request to add a post-petition debt to a Chapter 13 bankruptcy if the debtor creates a new debt without getting the consent of the trustee.

Courts, however, know that there are circumstances under which a debtor may incur new debt without obtaining trustee consent. For instance, obtaining prior consent for unanticipated medical fees and tax bills isn’t possible. The bankruptcy court will consider the context of the new consumer debt and may accept a request to incorporate the debt into the bankruptcy repayment plan, even if the debtor didn’t obtain the trustee’s prior consent.

Post-Petition Creditor Approval

In addition to the trustee’s approval, the debtor must also obtain the post-petition creditor’s consent before a new debt is added to his or her Chapter 13 bankruptcy payment plan. The creditor files a proof of claim as evidence of consent. Filing a proof of claim can only be done by the creditor.

Court Approval

Once both the trustee and post-petition creditor have approved the addition of new debt to the debtor’s bankruptcy plan, getting court approval is just a formality. The debtor must revise his or her repayment plan to include the debt.

Converting a Bankruptcy

An unanticipated life event, such as the birth of a child, job loss, death of a spouse, or severe illness, may make it hard for a debtor to fulfill his or her Chapter 13 obligations. The debtor may reduce financial strain and settle all or a huge portion of his or her unsecured debt by converting to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For some people, however, a conversion might not be the best solution. Bankruptcy lawyers can review a debtor’s situation and determine whether a conversion is the best option for him or her.

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Taylor L. Randolph

Taylor L. Randolph, the founder of Randolph Law Firm, P.C., located in Las Vegas, Nevada. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy, foreclosure prevention, and IRS tax problems. An award-winning attorney who is admitted to practice before the IRS nationwide, Taylor excels in the representation of individuals and businesses who are facing legal challenges.

Years of Experience: Nearly 20 years
Nevada Registration Status: Active

Bar & Court Admissions: Nevada State Bar Association U.S. District Court District of Nevada, 2006 U.S. Supreme Court, 2006 U.S. Tax Court, 2006

author-bio-image author-bio-image
Taylor L. Randolph

Taylor L. Randolph, the founder of Randolph Law Firm, P.C., located in Las Vegas, Nevada. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy, foreclosure prevention, and IRS tax problems. An award-winning attorney who is admitted to practice before the IRS nationwide, Taylor excels in the representation of individuals and businesses who are facing legal challenges.

Years of Experience: Nearly 20 years
Nevada Registration Status: Active

Bar & Court Admissions: Nevada State Bar Association U.S. District Court District of Nevada, 2006 U.S. Supreme Court, 2006 U.S. Tax Court, 2006