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What Can You Keep After Bankruptcy?

What Can You Keep After Bankruptcy?

A common bankruptcy myth is that you must give up all of your property if you file for bankruptcy. In fact, many people who file for bankruptcy are able to keep everything they own while enjoying protecting from creditors and debt relief.

If you have questions about what you can keep in a bankruptcy, the attorneys at RHM LAW LLP , are here to provide answers. We have helped numerous clients throughout the Los Angeles area achieve debt relief while keeping their property. Call (213) 344-0043 or contact us online for a free consultation with a California bankruptcy lawyer. It could be your first step on the road to debt relief.

Keeping Your House and Car in Bankruptcy

Your house: The law provides many options for saving your house from foreclosure. Filing for bankruptcy stops foreclosure immediately. In a Chapter 7, your house will likely be exempt from being seized. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have three to five years to pay and cure your past-due mortgage payments (“arrears”).

Your car: Bankruptcy stops car repossession. If your car was already repossessed, bankruptcy may help you get it back. Whether you can keep your car permanently depend on your specific circumstances. In a Chapter 7, you may be able to keep your car if you keep up to date on payments or even reaffirm the note with a possible reduction in balance. If you file for Chapter 13, you will likely keep your car and may even qualify for an auto loan cram down.

Other Items You Can Likely Keep

In addition to your car and your house, bankruptcy will generally allow you to keep such property as:

  • Household goods and furnishings
  • Personal belongings
  • Checking and savings accounts
  • Pension
  • 401(k) account
  • Tools of the trade
  • Social Security benefits
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Welfare benefits
  • Other real estate, including rental property

These exemptions are subject to value caps and may change as bankruptcy law evolves. For information about what you can and cannot keep in a bankruptcy, it is important to consult with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer.

Contact Us

For a free initial consultation about filing for bankruptcy with RHM LAW LLP , call (213) 344-0043 or contact us online. Our offices are open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and we serve clients in the Los Angeles area and San Fernando Valley through offices in Encino and Los Angeles. Se habla español!

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. 

Client Reviews

What Clients Say About Working With Us
    "I cannot thank them enough for helping save my home. I would recommend them for anyone that is thinking about filing for bankruptcy or foreclosure on their home."
    I needed a bankruptcy attorney in Sherman Oaks and found Matt Resnik on Google. He has one of the best-reviewed bankruptcy law firms on Yelp so I decided to check it out his law firm for myself. I quickly found out that they are foreclosure specialists and they could help me with my issue. They made the process very easy for me and laid out my options for me. I cannot thank them enough for helping save my home. I would recommend them for anyone that is thinking about filing for bankruptcy or foreclosure on their home. They are the best bankruptcy law firm in Sherman Oaks.
    - Joseph R.
    "These are top-notch pros that'll have your back. I cannot recommend them highly enough."
    Where to begin? I had a vile evil credit union repo my car over a misunderstanding, they wouldn't work with me even when I offered full payment plus repo fees (this was my first repo!) so I didn't know what to do. I met with a few lawyers but when I met with Simon he broke things down and gave me my options. I needed a car - so I filed BK and included the car to get it back. The evil credit union fought and Simon GOT ME MY CAR BACK!!! His team is amazing!!!! Maria Donna etc!!! These are top-notch pros that'll have your back. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Sincerely they saved my life. LA with no car!? ARGH!!!!!! *THANX ALL!!!!
    - Tim C.
    "He not only saved my house but also got rid of all my debt. They are not your typical attorneys and their creativity really allowed me to do things that other attorneys never mentioned in previous consults."
    Fantastic office! I want to thank Matt for taking his time with me and sincere in his assistance. He spent over an hour with me for free during our initial consult. I left knowing exactly what's needed. He not only saved my house but also got rid of all my debt. They are not your typical attorneys and their creativity really allowed me to do things that other attorneys never mentioned in previous consults. Affordable and Outstanding firm and thank you for all you have done! My family thanks you!
    - David K.
    "He negotiated on my behalf with a credit card company and was able to settle with them for much lower than I could have on my own."
    I worked with David Kritzer at this firm, and he was great. He negotiated on my behalf with a credit card company and was able to settle with them for much lower than I could have on my own thanks to his knowledge and expertise in the field. If you have a debtor on your back go to him to get it taken care of.
    - Kelly S.
    "Without the support of pro bono attorneys we couldn't do all the work we need to do, and your firm in particular is outstanding."

    Thank you for your great work on behalf of Ms. Johnson. Without the support of pro bono attorneys we couldn't do all the work we need to do, and your firm in particular is outstanding.

    - Skip K.
    "As the dank blanket of economic uncertainty continues to depress the hopes of many of us, I keep your business cards and number available for others."
    This is to thank you for the exceptional work of you and your fine staff. In managing my bankruptcy and loan modification, a nearly five-year effort, your performance was stellar. I never felt alone or adrift, key concerns in those circumstances. The outcome was outstanding. As the dank blanket of economic uncertainty continues to depress the hopes of many of us, I keep your business cards and number available for others. Without hyperbole, I can attest that you are present a beacon. Thank you so much.
    - K.C.
    "He made me feel like I had options, all was not lost, and I could rebuild my credit."
    Matt is the best bankruptcy attorney in Sherman Oaks. I consulted with Matt over a chapter 7 bankruptcy. I had issues with overwhelming credit card debt after Chase increased it's APR for no reason. It set off a chain of events that were really hurting me. He made me feel like I had options, all was not lost, and I could rebuild my credit after the 7. I had some concerns about a piece of property I was having issues with and Matt also turned out to be a real estate lawyer as well! I recommend this office to anyone who is unsure of their financial situation. It doesn't hurt to find out your options.
    - Max B.
    "I filed bankruptcy with this firm 3 years ago and found that they are professional, friendly, and compassionate."
    I filed bankruptcy with this firm 3 years ago and found that they are professional, friendly, and compassionate. I also met with their loan modification department. Unfortunately, they were unable to help because of the type of loan that I have. I really appreciated that they did not lie, waste my time, or take my money in an attempt to modify a loan that was not doable. I've since used their firm for a couple of minor issues and found all of the attorneys to be knowledgeable and considerate. Attorneys Simon and Resnik are amazing!
    - Shannon J.
    "We are very happy that you were able to accomplish the modification of our loan in such a short period of time. Thank you again for your professional service."

    Dear Mr. Resnik: We wanted to thank you for your professional handling of our loan modification with GMAC mortgage. We are very happy that you were able to accomplish the modification of our loan in such a short period of time. Thank you again for your professional service.

    - W and B Mejia

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