Bankruptcy FAQs
What are the filing fees?
Debtors including corporate debtors, must pay filing fees by money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted from debtors. The filing fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $306. The filing fee for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is $281. Attorney's fees will be discussed and agreed to in meetings before filing.What is a bankruptcy discharge?
The bankruptcy discharge varies depending on the type of case a debtor files: chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13.What is a Section 341 meeting of creditors?
11 U.S.C. 341 requires every debtor to personally attend a meeting of creditors and to submit to an examination under oath. The bankruptcy Trustee presides at the meeting. No later than seven days prior to the 341 Meeting, all chapter 7 or 13 debtors must provide the trustee with certain documents or the case may be dismissed. Debtors are required to bring two pieces of identification with them to the 341 Meeting. At the 341 Meeting, creditors may question the debtor under oath. Creditors are not required to attend the meeting.What is the automatic stay?
Generally, the filing of the bankruptcy case automatically stops or enjoins certain collection and other actions against the Debtor and the Debtor's property. There are some exceptions provided for in the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. 362. If a creditor attempt to collect a debt or take other action in violation of the Bankruptcy Code, the creditor may be penalized.What is the Bankruptcy Code?
The Bankruptcy Code is the informal name for the statutes governing bankruptcy found at Title 11 of the United States Code. The Bankruptcy Code contains various chapters that provide legal procedures for individuals and businesses to deal with debt problems.What is the difference between chapters?
USCourts.gov's Bankruptcy Basics provides basic information to debtors, creditors, court personnel, the media, and the general public on different aspects of the federal bankruptcy laws. It also provides individuals who may be considering bankruptcy with a basic explanation of the different chapters under which a bankruptcy case may be filed and to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the bankruptcy process.What is the function of the U.S. Trustee and where is that office located?
Where does a debtor file?
Where a debtor files depends on where the debtor resides or has its principal place of business or principal assets. The counties and filing locations for the Western District of Washington are:Cases filed in Seattle: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties
Cases filed in Tacoma: Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties
Where is the Section 341 meeting of creditors held?
The Clerk's Office sends a notice to the debtor and to all the creditors that provides the date, time and location of the section 341 meeting of creditors. The location of the meeting depends on the county where the debtor resides or has it's principal place of business or assets on the date it files the petition.
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Pierce, Lewis, Mason, Thurston and Grays Harbor(Chapter 7 and Chapter 13) |
U.S. Courthouse |
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Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13) |
Vancouver Federal Building |
How do I remove inaccurate information from my credit report?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, both the credit reporting agency and the creditor are required to correct inaccurate or incomplete information on a credit report. You can view a summary of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/credit/rights.shtm. Additional information is available on the Federal Trade Commission website, Facts for Consumers.Contact the credit reporting agencies at:
| Equifax Information Service Center Attn: Consumer Dept. PO Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 1-888-909-7304 www.equifax.com |
TransUnion Corporation National Consumer Disclosure Center PO Box 7000 North Olmstead, OH 44070 (312) 408-1400 www.transunion.com |
Experian Consumer Assistance PO Box 2350 Chatsworth, CA 91313-2350 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com |
The Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, has publications and an education program to help consumers.