Failed loan modifications can be fixed in a chapter 13 bankruptcy

As a riverside bankruptcy attorney I have been getting more frequent calls from people who have been trying to work with their lender in getting a loan modification. In order to qualify for a loan modification lenders often tell home owners that they cannot be caught up with their payments. Many homeowners have fallen behind on payments in hopes of getting a loan modification which often don’t ever come to realization. Banks are notorious for stalling on these loan modifications, losing paperwork, having you constantly send in new pay stubs and other qualifiers when it seams like there only motive is to drag this housing crisis out. Inevitably the day comes where the lender lets the client know that there is a notice of foreclosure pending and potentially a trustee sale. Fortunately there is a solution.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy allows people to put their late payments(arrearages) into a chapter 13 plan and pay off their late payments over a 3 to 5 year period. The filing of a chapter 13 bankruptcy will stop the foreclosure process immediately and give you time to take the full amount that you are behind on your mortgage and pay it back over either 36 or 60 payments depending if you are above or below the median income for your household size. You can also pay pennies on the dollar to your unsecured creditors and discharging all those debts once your plan is complete. In order to qualify for a chapter 13 bankruptcy you will have to have enough disposable income to pay off your arrearages over the payment plan period. This usually means having a current income that pays your average expenses and leaves you with enough money to fund the plan. Don’t let a failed loan modification lead you to believe that you can’t keep your house. Often times bankruptcy is a much better option and you can realize a greater benefit. You can even get rid of a second or third mortgage in bankruptcy if your house is worth less than you owe on the first. Talk to an experience riverside county bankruptcy attorney and know your options before you allow the bank to take your home.