text:
Whatever your dining style, Amara offers a luxury tableware range to suit every setting. Made from a host of decadent materials such as fine bone china, porcelain and even silver & gold plating there are luxurious designs in every style and taste imaginable.
You will find a huge selection of dinnerware ranges from leading luxury brands to add opulence to meal times. Including every item you could possibly need to create decadent table settings such as dinner, salad, dessert & charger plates along with bowls, serveware and all items for after dinner tea and coffee, these extensive ranges are essential for fine dining.
From eye-catching patterns to stylish simple designs, you can effortlessly blend your tableware with your dining room decor or create a contrast by adding new colours. Many designs can also be mixed and matched for you to create your own unique look. From some of the most decadent and world renowned brands, dinner services available at Amara are fantastic wedding gifts and are essential additions to all luxury bridal registries.
Not just including designer crockery, our comprehensive collection of tableware also contains must-have dining accessories, luxury cutlery and expertly made glassware for you to complete the look. Adults are also not the only ones catered for with our luxury range, we also have a selection of children's dinnerware for your little ones to also dine in style.


text:
13,124pages on
this wiki
this wiki
Bubble Juice is a magical juice. It bears a resemblance to Veritaserum, as Harry Potter once thought the truth serum that Professor Snape stored in his storeroom to be bubble juice. It is possibly flavoured like carbonated water.[citation needed] Snape accused Harry of stealing it. It turned out that Barty Crouch Jr. (disguised as Alastor Moody) was the real culprit.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Mentioned only)
This article about a food is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Keep Your Property & Repay Debts Over Time
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Keep Your Property & Repay Debts Over Time
Save your home and car
Kathleen Michon, Attorney and Stephen Elias, Attorney
May 2014, 12th Edition
Wipe out debt - and save your house
When you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can wipe out some of your debt and pay off the rest over time with a repayment plan approved by the bankruptcy court. You may be able to:
- avoid foreclosure
- stop car repossession
- reduce car loan debt
- stop most debt collectors, and
- remove junior liens from your home.
Here, you'll find clear explanations of the Chapter 13 process and worksheets to help you:
- consider alternatives to bankruptcy
- decide if Chapter 13 is your best option
- determine if you qualify for Chapter 13
- estimate your monthly plan repayment
- find and work effectively with an excellent lawyer, and
- rebuild your credit after bankruptcy.
This revised edition includes all the latest changes in bankruptcy law, including updated 50-state exemption tables, and important U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
If you are considering or have decided to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Nolo's Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is the essential guide you need to understand the procedures and law.
Please note: This book does not cover business bankruptcies, farm reorganizations, or Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy. For Chapter 7 bankruptcy, see Nolo's How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Updated by Patricia Dzikowski, a practicing bankruptcy lawyer in Florida for 30 years. Patricia served as a panel bankruptcy trustee for more than 15 years, having administered more than 18,000 Chapter 7 cases. She has also served by appointment as a Chapter 11 Trustee, Chapter 11 Examiner, and the in-country (U. S.) trustee in a proceeding ancillary to a foreign bankruptcy case. Patricia has authored numerous articles on bankruptcy, consumer finance, debt resolution, and other consumer law topics on Nolo.com as well as for other websites in the Nolo network. Patricia is a graduate of the University of Miami Law School (JD) and also has a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) and an undergraduate degree (BA) in Politics.
"An excellent book that can guide you through the process."-Forbes
"This is the best book going if you choose to file alone or if you want background on the Chapter 13 process."-Attorney Gary Klein, Co-Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice
"An excellent resource …"-Consumers Digest
Tear-Out Forms
- Schedule J—Current Expenditures of Individual Debtor(s)
- Form 22A—Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means-Test Calculation
- Form 22C—Chapter 13 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period and Disposable Income
- Family Median Income Chart
Part 1: Is Chapter 13 Right for You?
1. How Chapter 13 Works
- An Overview of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Which Debts Are Discharged in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure
- Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping
- Is Chapter 13 Right for You?
- Alternatives to Bankruptcy
2. The Automatic Stay
- How Long the Stay Lasts
- How the Stay Affects Common Collection Actions
- How the Stay Affects Actions Against Codebtors
- When the Stay Doesn't Apply
- Evictions
3. Are You Eligible to Use Chapter 13?
- Prior Bankruptcy Discharges May Preclude a Chapter 13 Discharge
- Business Entities Can't File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Your Debts May Not Exceed Certain Limits
- You Must Be (and Stay) Current on Your Income Tax Filings
- You Must Keep Making Your Child Support and Alimony Payments
- You May Have to File Annual Income and Expense Reports
- Your Proposed Repayment Plan Must Pay All Required Debts
- Your Unsecured Creditors Must Get at Least as Much as They Would Have Received in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- You Must Participate in an Approved Personal Financial Management Course
4. Do You Have to Use Chapter 13?
- Can You Pass the Means Test?
- Forced Conversion to Chapter 13
5. Can You Propose a Plan the Judge Will Approve?
- Repayment Plan Calculations: An Overview
- If Your Current Monthly Income Is Less Than Your State's Median Income
- If Your Current Monthly Income Is More Than Your State's Median Income
- Understanding Property Exemptions
6. Making the Decision
Part II: Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
7. Complete Your Bankruptcy Forms
- Required Forms, Fees, and Where to File
- For Married Filers
- Form 1—Voluntary Petition
- Form 6—Schedules
- Summary of Schedules
- Declaration Concerning Debtor's Schedules
- Form 7—Statement of Financial Affairs
- Form 21—Statement of Social Security Number
- Form 22C—Chapter 13 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period and Disposable Income
- Form 201A—Notice to Individual Consumer Debtor Under § 342(b) of the Bankruptcy Code
- Attorney Fee Disclosure
- Mailing Matrix
- Income Deduction Order
8. The Chapter 13 Plan
- What You Must Pay
- Repayment of Unsecured Debts: Allowed Claims
- A Model Plan Format
- Sample Plan
9. Filing the Bankruptcy Case
- File Documents in Addition to the Bankruptcy Forms
- Paying the Filing Fee in Installments
- Electronic Filing
- Emergency Filing
- After You File
10. Handling Routine Matters After You File
- The Automatic Stay
- Dealing With the Trustee
- Make Your First Payment
- If You Operate a Business
- The Meeting of Creditors
- Changing Your Plan Before the Confirmation Hearing
- The Confirmation Hearing
- Changing Your Plan After a Failed Confirmation Hearing
- Amending Your Bankruptcy Forms
- Filing a Change of Address
- Filing Tax Returns
- Filing Annual Income and Expense Statements
- Personal Financial Management Counseling
- Form 283—Domestic Support and Homestead Exemption
Part III: Making Your Plan Work
11. Common Legal Issues
- Filing Motions
- Dealing With Creditors' Motions
- If an Unsecured Creditor Objects to Your Plan
- Handling Creditor Claims
- Asking the Court to Eliminate Liens
12. Carrying Out Your Plan
- Your Income Increases
- Selling Property
- Modifying Your Plan When Problems Come Up
- Attempts to Revoke Your Confirmation
- When You Complete Your Plan
13. If You Cannot Complete Your Plan
- Dismiss Your Case
- Convert Your Case to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Seek a Hardship Discharge
14. Life After Bankruptcy
- Rebuilding Your Credit
- Attempts to Collect Clearly Discharged Debts
- Postbankruptcy Discrimination
- Attempts to Revoke Your Discharge
Part IV: Help Beyond the Book
15. Hiring and Working With a Lawyer
- What Does Legal Representation Mean?
- How to Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer
- What to Look for in a Lawyer
- Paying Your Lawyer
- Working With Your Lawyer
16. Legal Research
- Sources of Bankruptcy Law
- Bankruptcy Background Materials: Overviews, Encyclopedias, and Treatises
- Finding Federal Bankruptcy Statutes
- Finding the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (FRBP)
- Finding Local Court Rules
- Finding Federal Court Bankruptcy Cases
- State Statutes
- State Court Cases
- Other Helpful Resources
A: State and Federal Exemption Charts
- Doubling
- Wage Garnishment Laws and Exemptions in Bankruptcy
- Retirement Accounts
- Special Considerations in States With "Bankruptcy-Specific" Exemptions
- Confirm the Exemptions Before Relying on Them
B: Chart and Sample Forms
- Median Family Income Chart
- Schedule J - Your Expenses
- Form 22A - Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means-Test Calculation
- Form 22C - Chapter 13 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period and Disposable Income
Chapter 1
How Chapter 13 Works
An Overview of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy........................................... 5
Costs.......................................................................................... 6
Do You Need a Lawyer?............................................................ 6
Filing Your Papers..................................................................... 7
The Repayment Plan................................................................. 7
The Automatic Stay.................................................................... 9
The Meeting of Creditors........................................................... 9
The Confirmation Hearing........................................................ 11
Possible Additional Court Appearances................................... 11
Making Your Payments Under the Plan................................... 11
If Something Goes Wrong........................................................ 12
Personal Financial Management Counseling.......................... 12
After You Complete Your Plan................................................. 13
Which Debts Are Discharged in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy................ 13
Debts That Are Discharged...................................................... 13
Debts That Are Not Discharged............................................... 13
Debts That Are Not Discharged If the Creditor Successfully Objects 14
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure........................................ 14
The Automatic Stay Can Stop a Foreclosure........................... 15
Catching Up on Mortgage Arrears Through Your Chapter 13 Plan 15
Getting Rid of Second Mortgages, HELOCs, and Other Junior Liens 15
Foreclosure Mediation Programs in Bankruptcy ..................... 15
Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping...... 16
Cramdowns: Reducing Secured Loans to the Value of the Collateral 17
Lien Stripping: Getting Rid of Second Mortgages and Other Liens
on Real Estate....................................................................... 20
Is Chapter 13 Right for You?.......................................................... 21
Upper-Income Filers Must Use Chapter 13............................. 21
Reasons to Choose Chapter 7................................................. 21
Reasons to Choose Chapter 13............................................... 23
Alternatives to Bankruptcy.............................................................. 24
Do Nothing............................................................................... 24
Negotiate With Your Creditors................................................. 27
Chances are good that you've picked up this book because your debts have become overwhelming. Maybe you are facing foreclosure on your home, repossession of your car, or constant letters and phone calls from debt collectors. Or perhaps, you've realized that your debts have grown far beyond your ability to repay them, and you're wondering if there's anything you can do to get control of your finances.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy could be the best way to resolve your debt problems. When you file for Chapter 13, you agree to repay all or a portion of your debts over time, under the supervision of the bankruptcy court. Chapter 13 allows you to keep your property while using your anticipated income to repay some or all of your debts.
This book opens up the world of Chapter 13 to anyone who wants to get a good idea of how Chapter 13 works and what it can do for you. The book stops short of giving you all the forms and instructions you would need to do your own Chapter 13 bankruptcy. That's because we believe that very few people are able to successfully carry out this task without attorney representation. (See "Do You Need a Lawyer?" below.)
This chapter gets you started with an overview of Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It also explains other types of bankruptcy relief (including Chapter 7 bankruptcy) and options for dealing with your debts outside of bankruptcy.
An Overview of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 can be a good solution for people who need time to pay off certain debts and who have enough income to meet the Chapter 13 requirements. In Chapter 13, you get to keep all of your property, regardless of its value. However, you will have to pay your unsecured creditors (those to whom you owe credit card debts, medical debts, and most court judgments, for example) at least as much as they would have received had you filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Chapter 13 has many benefits (discussed below in "Reasons to Choose Chapter 13"), but some of the most powerful involve your home. Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to catch up on mortgage arrears through your plan, so you can avoid foreclosure. (See Ch. 8.) And if you have second mortgages that are no longer secured by the equity in your property, you can strip them off. (See "Lien Stripping: Getting Rid of Home Loans Other Than Your First Mortgage," below.)
Like everyone who files for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you have to pay the filing fee of $281, due either when you file your initial bankruptcy paperwork or in four equal installments (with the court's permission). You'll also have to pay a fee—typically less than $100 total—to a credit counseling agency for prefiling credit counseling and postfiling budget counseling. If you decide to hire a lawyer to help you with your case, you can expect to pay an additional $3,000 or more in legal fees. You won't have to come up with the entire fee all at once, but you will probably have to make a sizable initial payment and pay the rest over the course of your plan.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
For the vast majority of Chapter 13 filers, the answer is "yes." It's not that people can't understand the ins and outs of Chapter 13 bankruptcy law (although at times the law can be quite complicated) or fill out the petition and accompanying schedules and forms (although again, some of those can get tricky); instead, the rub lies with the Chapter 13 repayment plan. Calculating plan payments has become quite difficult without the assistance of computer software, which is extremely expensive. In addition, it is not uncommon for the trustee or creditors to challenge or object to various aspects of your plan. You may have to argue against objections, negotiate with creditors, or modify your plan. In fact, most Chapter 13 plans need at least one modification along the way, even when prepared by an attorney. Experienced Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyers have software to prepare your Chapter 13 plan and the expertise to handle objections to your plan and to modify it as your case proceeds.
We believe that most Chapter 13 filers benefit from legal representation, assuming the lawyer is honest and competent. Having said that, it's still important to understand the Chapter 13 process, including options for dealing with debts and property, the possibility of reducing loan amounts (called cramdowns), and what you can expect to pay in your Chapter 13 plan. This book also helps you identify various tricky issues that might arise in your bankruptcy case.
It's also helpful to run some preliminary numbers yourself to determine if Chapter 7
is an option for you or if funding a Chapter 13 plan is possible given your income and expenses. Chs. 4 and 5 take you through the means test (to see if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy) and provide step-by-step instructions on figuring out if you can fund a Chapter 13 plan.
To learn more about hiring and working with a bankruptcy lawyer, see Ch. 15.
Filing Your Papers
To begin a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you fill out a packet of forms in which you disclose your property, debts, and economic transactions during the several years before you file. The official forms for Chapter 13 bankruptcy are the same as those for Chapter 7, with a few exceptions and additions.
In addition to the Chapter 7 forms, you must prepare or produce:
- a form (Form 22C: Chapter 13 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period and Disposable Income) that determines whether your income is more or less than the median income in your state. This calculation determines how long your repayment plan must last. If your income is more than the median, your plan must usually last five years; if your income is less, you can propose a three-year plan. If your income is more than the median, you must also use this form to calculate how much disposable income you will have available to pay your unsecured creditors over the five-year period.
- your Chapter 13 repayment plan, showing how you propose to pay certain mandatory debts (child support, tax arrearages, and so on) and, if you have sufficient income, at least a portion of your other unsecured debts over the three- to five-year period. (See Ch. 8.)
- a certificate showing you have participated in a credit counseling program during the 180-day period before filing for bankruptcy (this requirement is explained in Ch. 9). If the credit counseling agency comes up with a proposed repayment plan that would allow you to pay your debts outside of bankruptcy, you must submit this as well.
- a certificate regarding child support obligations and your residence.
- pay stubs from the 60-day period before you file, along with a cover sheet.
- proof that you've filed your federal and state income tax returns for the previous four years.
- a copy of your most recent IRS income tax return (or a transcript of that return).
Chs. 7 through 9 discuss in detail the bankruptcy forms, repayment plan, and filing process.
The Repayment Plan
The repayment plan you submit with your other bankruptcy papers (or shortly after your initial filing) shows the judge how you will devote your disposable income to pay off all or some of your debt over the life of your plan.
Which Debts Must Be Repaid
Chapter 13 requires you to pay some of your debts in full within the life of the plan. You also must pay as much of your remaining debts as you can from the income you have available. Generally, you will have to be able to show, at the beginning of your case, that you are likely to have enough income to remain current on debts that secure collateral you want to keep (for example, a mortgage or car note) while fully paying off your back taxes, back child support owed to a child or an ex-spouse, and any mortgage and secured debt arrearages you owe. And, as explained in Ch. 3, your plan also has to allow for total payments to your unsecured creditors that are at least as much as they would have received had you filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In other words, these payments must be at least equal to the value of your nonexempt property, less the costs, commissions, and fees that would have to be paid in order to sell that property.
Length of the Repayment Period
You must propose a repayment plan that lasts for either three or five years, depending on your income. As you'll learn in Ch. 4, the bankruptcy law now imposes a number of requirements on filers whose average gross monthly income over the six months before they file for bankruptcy is more than the median income in their state. Among other things, these filers must propose a five-year repayment plan unless the plan proposes to pay 100% of the filer's unsecured debt. In some courts, you may be allowed to propose a plan that is less than five years if you have no disposable income. Other courts require five years, regardless of your disposable income. (See Ch. 5.)
Filers whose average gross monthly income for the six-month period is less than the median usually have the choice of filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If they use Chapter 13, these filers may propose a three-year repayment plan and may use their actual expenses to calculate how much income they will have to devote to that plan.
Filers whose income is more than the median must use certain standard expense amounts set by the IRS—rather than their actual expenses—to calculate their plan payments. As a result, higher-income filers may have to devote more of their money, for a longer period of time, to repaying their debts.
To learn more about how to calculate your income, find out whether your income is above or below your state's median, and figure out which expenses to use in calculating your plan payments, see Ch. 4.
Coming Up With a Plan the Judge Will Approve
You can't proceed with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy unless a bankruptcy judge approves (confirms) your plan. As mentioned, some creditors are entitled to receive 100% of what you owe them, while others may receive a much smaller percentage or even nothing at all if you have insufficient disposable income left over after the mandatory debts are paid. For example, a Chapter 13 plan must propose that any child support you owe to a spouse or child (as opposed to a government agency) will be paid in full over the life of your plan; otherwise, the judge will not confirm it. On the other hand, the judge can confirm a plan that doesn't repay any portion of your credit card debts if you won't have any disposable income left after paying your child support obligations.
You may have more—or less—disposable income than you think. Chapter 13 requires you to commit your "projected disposable income" to repaying your debts over the life of your plan. Initially, you calculate your projected disposable income by subtracting your allowable expenses from your average income during the six months before you file for bankruptcy. But if this does not give an accurate picture of your current income and expenses and given certain circumstances, you might be allowed to use your current income and expenses at the time you file, if those figures more accurately reflect your finances going forward. For more information on calculating your disposable income, see Ch. 5.
The Automatic Stay
When you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the automatic stay goes into effect right away. The stay prevents most creditors from taking action to collect a debt against you or your property. So, for example, if a foreclosure sale of your home or a vehicle repossession is in the works, the stay stops the sale or repossession dead in its tracks. (However, the automatic stay doesn't apply if you've had two previous bankruptcy cases dismissed in the past year.) The automatic stay is discussed in more detail in Ch. 2.
The Meeting of Creditors
Once you file your bankruptcy papers, the court will schedule a meeting of creditors (also called a 341 hearing) within 20 to 40 days after your filing date—and send notice of this meeting to you and the creditors listed in your bankruptcy papers. You (and your spouse if you have filed jointly) are required to attend. You'll each need to bring two forms of identification—a picture ID and proof of your Social Security number.
The creditors' meeting is conducted by the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee for your court. No judge is present, and the meeting is held outside of court, usually in the nearest federal building. Although the bankruptcy trustee is not a judge, you still have a duty to cooperate with the trustee as a condition of receiving a discharge.
A typical creditors' meeting lasts less than 15 minutes. The trustee will briefly go over any questions raised by the information you entered in the forms. The trustee is likely to be most interested in the fairness and legality of your proposed repayment plan and your ability to make the payments you have proposed. (See Ch. 8 for more on Chapter 13 plans.) The trustee has a vested interest in helping you successfully navigate the Chapter 13 process because the trustee gets paid a percentage of all payments doled out under your plan.
The trustee will also require proof that you have filed your tax returns for the previous four years. If you can't show that you filed returns, the trustee may continue the meeting to give you a chance to file these returns. Ultimately, you will not be allowed to proceed with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy unless and until you bring your tax filings up to date.
Help if you are behind in tax payments. If you owe taxes, you may benefit from professional help in the form of a tax attorney, an enrolled agent (licensed by the IRS), or a tax preparer. For more information on getting current on taxes and getting professional help, read Stand Up to the IRS, by Frederick W. Daily (Nolo).
When the trustee is finished asking questions, any creditors who show up will have a chance to question you. Secured creditors are most likely to attend, especially if they have an objection to the plan you have proposed. They may claim, for example, that your plan isn't feasible, that you're giving yourself too much time to pay your arrears on your car note or mortgage, or that your plan proposes to pay a secured debt at an amount that is less than the replacement value of the collateral.
An unsecured creditor who is scheduled to receive very little under your plan might show up, too, if that creditor thinks you should cut your living expenses and thereby increase your disposable income (the amount from which unsecured creditors are paid). This is more likely to happen if you are using your actual expenses to compute your disposable income (as filers whose income is less than the state median are allowed to do) instead of standard expense figures set by the IRS.
Come to the meeting prepared to negotiate with disgruntled creditors. If you agree to make changes to accommodate their objections, you must submit a modified plan. Keep in mind, though, that any decisions or agreements you make with creditors are not final at this point. The trustee or creditors will raise their objections (assuming they still have any after your negotiations) and then the bankruptcy judge (who is not at the meeting) will make a decision. As a general rule, the judge will go along with the trustee unless your lawyer can make a good case that the trustee (or creditor) is wrong.
The Confirmation Hearing
Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires at least one appearance by you or your attorney before a bankruptcy judge. (In some districts, the judge comes into the courtroom only if the trustee or a creditor objects to your plan, and you want the judge to rule on the objection.) At this "confirmation hearing," which is usually held a few weeks after the creditors' meeting, the judge either confirms (approves of) your proposed plan or sends you back to the drawing board for various reasons—usually because your plan doesn't meet Chapter 13 requirements. (For example, a judge might reject your plan because you don't have enough income to pay off your priority creditors in full while staying current on your secured debts, such as a car note or mortgage.)
You are entitled to amend your proposed plan until you get it right or the judge decides that it's hopeless. Each amendment requires a new confirmation hearing and appropriate written notice to your creditors. (For more information on the confirmation hearing, see Ch. 10.) Once your plan is confirmed, it will govern your payments for the three- to five-year repayment period.
Possible Additional Court Appearances
If your plan is drafted correctly from the beginning, your confirmation hearing will probably be the only time the bankruptcy judge deals with your case. However, additional appearances in court by you or your attorney may be necessary to:
- confirm your repayment plan if you later amend it
- value an asset, if your plan proposes to pay less for a car or other property than the creditor thinks it's worth (this might happen if you try to cram down the debt to the item's current value)
- respond to requests by a creditor or the trustee to dismiss your case or amend your plan
- respond to a creditor who opposes your right to discharge a particular debt (perhaps claiming that you incurred the debt through fraud)
- discharge a type of debt that can be discharged only if the judge decides that it should be (for example, to discharge a student loan because of undue hardship)
- eliminate a lien on your property that will survive your Chapter 13 bankruptcy unless the judge removes it, or
- reaffirm a debt owed on a car or other secured property or that would otherwise not survive your bankruptcy.
Many of these procedures are explained in Ch. 11.
Making Your Payments Under the Plan
You are required to make your first payment under your proposed repayment plan within 30 days after you file for bankruptcy. If the bankruptcy court ultimately confirms your plan, your payment will be distributed to your creditors in accordance with the plan's terms. If your Chapter 13 bankruptcy never gets off the ground, the trustee will return the money to you, less administrative expenses.
Once your plan is confirmed, you will make payments, usually monthly, to the bankruptcy trustee, an official appointed to oversee your case. The trustee will usually require you to agree to an order that takes the payments directly out of your bank account or paycheck. The trustee uses your monthly payments to pay the creditors in accordance with the payment order contained in your plan. The trustee also collects a statutory fee (roughly 8% to 10% of the amount you will pay under your plan).
If you can show that you have a history of regular income spread out in uneven payments over the year—for example, quarterly royalty payments or predictable seasonal income fluctuations (for instance, if you do construction work in a location that has severe winters)—your plan may provide for payments when you typically earn income, rather than every month, but in most cases it will be monthly.
If Something Goes Wrong
Three to five years is a long time. What happens if you can't make a payment or it becomes apparent—perhaps because of a change in your income or life circumstances—that you won't be able to complete your plan? If you miss only a payment or two, you can usually arrange with the trustee to make up the difference. If you lose your income stream, however, and you definitely won't be able to complete the plan, you can convert your bankruptcy to Chapter 7 (if that makes sense), obtain a "hardship" discharge from the court, or modify the plan. In many cases, Chapter 13 bankruptcies that don't work out are dismissed entirely.
If your case is dismissed, you'll owe your creditors the balances on your debts from before you filed your Chapter 13 case, less the payments you made, plus the interest that accrued while your case was open. See Chs. 12 and 13 for more on what happens if you are unable to complete your plan.
Personal Financial Management Counseling
Before you make your last plan payment, you'll have to complete a personal financial management counseling course (called budget counseling)—and file an official form certifying that you did so—in order to get your discharge. This counseling covers basic budgeting, managing your money, and using credit responsibly. See Ch. 10 for more on this requirement.
After You Complete Your Plan
Once you complete your plan, certify that you've remained current on your child support or alimony obligations, and file proof that you've completed your personal financial management counseling, your remaining debts will be discharged, if they are the type of debts that can be discharged in Chapter 13. (See "Which Debts Are Discharged in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy," below, for more information.) For instance, if you have $40,000 in credit card debt, and you pay off $10,000 through your repayment plan, the remaining $30,000 will be discharged once you complete the plan. However, you will still owe whatever is left of the debts that you can't, by law, discharge in Chapter 13. Debts that you can't discharge include child support, alimony, and student loans (unless you can show that repaying the loan would cause undue hardship); most types of debts—including credit card debts—are discharged.
Example: Karen owes $60,000 in credit card debts, $60,000 in student loans, and $2,000 in alimony. Karen pays off the alimony in full (as required by law) and 10% of her credit card debts and student loans. The remainder of the credit card debts will be discharged, but she will still owe the rest of her student loan debt ($54,000) unless she can convince the judge to order it discharged because of undue hardship.
Which Debts Are Discharged in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Not all debts are discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Of course, if you will repay all of your unsecured debts in full over the life of your plan, no discharge is necessary. But if your plan provides for less than full repayment of your unsecured debts, whatever you still owe may or may not be discharged.
Debts That Are Discharged
As a general rule, whatever you still owe on most credit card debts, medical bills, and lawyer bills is discharged, as are most court judgments and loans. Also, under bankruptcy law, debts you owe to an ex-spouse arising from a divorce or separation agreement that are not for support are discharged in Chapter 13 (but not in Chapter 7), as are debts incurred for the purpose of paying taxes.
Debts That Are Not Discharged
Debts that survive a Chapter 13 bankruptcy (unless you pay them in full during the life of your plan) include:
- debts that you don't list in your bankruptcy forms
- court-imposed fines and restitution
- back child support and alimony
- student loans (unless you can show hardship)
- recent back taxes
- taxes for years in which you did not file a return, and
- debts you owe because of a civil judgment arising out of your willful or
malicious acts, or for personal injuries or death caused by your drunk driving.
Discharging Student Loans in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: The Brunner Test
For the most part, student loans cannot be discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, in rare circumstances, courts will discharge some or all of your student loans at the end of your Chapter 13 repayment period if paying them would cause undue hardship.
While there is some indication that courts are becoming more sympathetic to debtors saddled with student loan obligations and struggling to support their families, the bar to prove undue hardship (as opposed to ordinary hardship) is still set too high for most debtors.
Many courts use a three-factor test to determine if repaying your student loans would cause undue hardship, called the Brunner test (after a court case of the same name). Not all courts use this test, but even in those that don't, it's still difficult to discharge a student loan.
Under the Brunner test, a bankruptcy court looks at the following three factors to determine if repayment of your student loans would cause an undue hardship:
- Based upon your current income and expenses, you cannot maintain a minimal standard of living for yourself and your dependents if you are forced to repay your loans.
- Your current financial situation is likely to continue for a big part of the repayment period.
- You have made a good-faith effort to repay your student loans.
Debts That Are Not Discharged If the Creditor Successfully Objects
Some types of debts will survive your bankruptcy only if the creditor files a motion in court to prove that the debt shouldn't be discharged. For example, if a creditor successfully objects to a debt arising from your fraudulent actions or recent credit card charges for luxuries, those debts will be waiting for you after your bankruptcy, unless you managed to pay them all off during your repayment plan.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure
If you are behind in your mortgage payments or facing foreclosure, Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be able to help you keep your home. It can do this by allowing you to temporarily (or permanently) stop the foreclosure, catch up on back mortgage payments through your plan, get rid of certain junior liens thus freeing up more money to pay your first mortgage, and perhaps work out a foreclosure alternative with your lender through a bankruptcy foreclosure mediation program.
The Automatic Stay Can Stop a Foreclosure
If you are facing foreclosure, in most situations filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will immediately stop the foreclosure. There is an exception, however, if you filed bankruptcy within the previous two years and in that bankruptcy the court lifted the stay and allowed your lender to proceed with the foreclosure. (See Ch. 2 for more on the automatic stay and home foreclosures.)
Catching Up on Mortgage Arrears Through Your Chapter 13 Plan
Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to include your past due mortgage debt in your Chapter 13 plan. This means you can pay the arrears back over the length of your plan. The same is true of past due HOA assessments—you can catch up through your plan. As long as you keep making your regular mortgage payments (and/or your ongoing HOA assessments) and your Chapter 13 plan payments, your lender cannot foreclose. Chapter 7 bankruptcy, on the other hand, does not provide a way to get current on mortgage arrears. For this reason, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often the best avenue for saving your home if you are behind in your mortgage or HOA assessments.
Getting Rid of Second Mortgages, HELOCs, and Other Junior Liens
Chapter 13 bankruptcy has another helpful remedy—lien stripping. Lien stripping allows you to remove second mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and other junior liens from your home if they are wholly unsecured. (See "Lien Stripping: Getting Rid of Second Mortgages and Other Liens on Real Estate," below, to learn what wholly unsecured means.) By getting rid of some or all these payments, a homeowner is often better positioned to afford the remaining mortgages.
Foreclosure Mediation Programs in Bankruptcy
Since the foreclosure crisis, an increasing number of bankruptcy courts have instituted programs to help debtors, particularly in Chapter 13, to resolve foreclosure issues with their lenders. These programs (often called "loss mitigation programs") vary by district. Most involve some form of foreclosure mediation in which the homeowner and the lender meet in the presence of a neutral mediator and try to work out an alternative to foreclosure. Possible workouts might include a loan modification, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Most of these bankruptcy court programs apply only to residential property. But a few also include income-producing residential property (rental property) and second homes.
Advantages of Bankruptcy Court Foreclosure Mediation Programs for Mortgage Lenders
Many states have instituted foreclosure mediation programs within their state court system. These programs are available to homeowners who are in foreclosure but haven't filed for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, these mediation programs often don't have good results. Bankruptcy court foreclosure mediation programs, on the other hand, appear to be having more success.
There are many reasons why mortgage holders may be inclined to negotiate with homeowners who have filed for bankruptcy.
Deficiency balances are discharged in bankruptcy. A deficiency occurs when the amount you owe on your home exceeds the value of the home. In many states, after foreclosing on your home, the mortgage lender can sue you for the deficiency (in some states the lender can get the deficiency judgment through the foreclosure itself without filing a separate lawsuit). But Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy discharges all mortgage deficiencies. Knowing this provides an incentive for the mortgage lender to avoid foreclosure.
Defending against lien stripping and cramdowns can get expensive. A Chapter 13 debtor may try to get rid of junior liens (called lien stripping) or reduce the amount of the mortgage on nonresidential properties (called cramdown). (See "Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping," below). Mortgage holders often challenge the value of the property subject to lien stripping and cramdown, or try to lift the automatic stay to continue with foreclosure. The attorneys' fees incurred in these challenges can get expensive. Often, mortgage holders are better off using this money to participate in foreclosure mediation, where they have a better chance of working out a resolution that is favorable for them.
Advantages of Foreclosure Mediation for Homeowners
Loss mitigation options are often better for homeowners as well. A homeowner can negotiate for options that may not otherwise be available through the bankruptcy court, including a loan modification that reduces the principal, provides for a longer payment period, and/or lowers the interest rate. A rental property owner might get a lower payment than he or she would in a cramdown by negotiating a longer time to pay. And if the mediation doesn't work out and the homeowner decides to surrender the property, he or she may be able to negotiate terms for the surrender, such as additional time in the residence or a cash payment to help with relocation expenses.
Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping
In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be able to reduce the amount of a secured loan (for example, your car loan) to the actual value of the property; this is called a cramdown. And you might be able to get rid of second or third mortgages, HELOCs, or home equity loans if they are no longer secured by the equity in your home. This is called lien stripping.
Although these provisions are powerful, they don't apply to the first mortgage of your residential real property. Some people believe they can "modify" the first mortgage on their home through bankruptcy. For the most part, this is a myth, although there are a few exceptions, such as for vacation and rental properties.
You lose the benefit of cramdown or lien stripping if your case is dismissed or converted to Chapter 7. Loan reductions or lien eliminations you get through cramdown or lien stripping are only good if you complete all of your payments under the Chapter 13 plan (or under a Chapter 11 bankruptcy). If your case is dismissed or converted to a Chapter 7, the secured creditors get their full lien amounts back, less any amounts you have paid through your plan.
You may be able to modify your mortgage through nonbankruptcy avenues. Although you can't modify a first mortgage on a residential home through bankruptcy, you may be able to negotiate with your lender directly to reduce your interest rate, payments, or more. Or, you might be able to take advantage of government programs designed to help homeowners modify their mortgages. For more information, check out Nolo's Foreclosure section at www.nolo.com or get Your Foreclosure Survival Guide, by Stephen Elias (Nolo).
Cramdowns: Reducing Secured Loans to the Value of the Collateral
If the amount you owe on a secured loan is more than the value of the collateral (the collateral is the property you pledge to guarantee payment of the loan), you may be able to take advantage of Chapter 13 provisions that result in what is commonly known as a cramdown. When you cram down a loan, you reduce the amount owed to equal the value of the collateral—and this happens without having to get the lender's agreement.
Property That Is Eligible for Cramdown
You can only use a cramdown on loans secured by certain types of property. Significantly, you cannot cram down mortgages on your personal residence. But you may be able to use it on a mobile home mortgage or a mortgage for a multiunit building if you live in one of the units. Mortgages on your investment properties, such as rental property, a second home, or commercial property, are eligible. A cramdown is also available, subject to certain limitations, for car loans and other personal property loans.
Car loans. Cramdowns are often used for car loans. There are a few restrictions to keep in mind, however. For cars, in order to cram down the loan, one of the following must apply:
- You incurred the debt at least 910 days before you filed for bankruptcy.
- The loan is not a purchase money loan (that is, you secured the debt with a car you already owned, not a car you bought with the loan).
- The car secured by the loan is not a personal vehicle (that is, you bought it for your business).
Other personal property loans. You may cram down debts for personal property (other than motor vehicles) only if you took out the loan at least a year before you filed for bankruptcy, or if the loan was not used to purchase the property that you pledged to secure repayment (that is, you owned the property before you took out the loan).
Real estate loans. You may be able to cram down mortgages secured by the following types of properties:
- multiunit buildings (even if you live in one of the units)
- vacation or rental homes
- buildings or lots adjacent to your home that are not likely to be considered part of your residence, such as farmland
- mobile homes (these are considered to be personal property), and
- property that is not your residence.
How Cramdown Works
In bankruptcy, when a loan is undersecured (which means the amount you owe is greater than the value of the property pledged to secure repayment), the debt can be broken down into secured and unsecured portions. The amount equal to the value of the property is the secured portion and any amount over the value of the property is unsecured.
The first step in a cramdown is coming up with an accurate value for the property. While some courts may allow you to value your property through the plan, most courts require you to file a separate motion to value the property. You present your proof of value, such as an appraisal, and the creditor is provided with an opportunity to present its own valuation. If the values are not the same and you are unable to reach a compromise with the secured creditor, the court will hold an evidentiary hearing. You and the creditor bring your appraisers to testify, and the bankruptcy judge makes a decision.
Once the judge determines the value (and thereby the amounts of the secured and unsecured claims), in most cases, you must pay the entire amount of the secured portion through your plan, with interest. The appropriate interest is often also determined as part of your motion and is generally set at prime plus one to three points. For example, if the prime rate is 3.25%, an appropriate interest rate may be between 4.25% and 6.25%.
Cramming Down Negative Equity in the 9th Circuit
If you bought a car within 910 days of your bankruptcy filing (which means your loan is ineligible for cramdown), you might be able to cram down part of the loan if you traded in a car to buy the new car. You can only do this in the 9th Circuit (all other Circuits have rejected this interpretation of the law). Here's how it works:
If, when you purchase a car, you trade in a car that is underwater (you owe more on the car than the car is currently worth), the lender often adds the difference between the trade-in value of your car and the remaining balance on the loan to your new car loan. For example, say your old car is worth $5,000 but you still owe $8,000 on the car loan. The lender for your current car purchase takes your old car as a trade-in, and adds $3,000 ($8,000 balance on loan minus the $5,000 value of car) to your new car loan. This amount is called negative equity.
In the 9th Circuit, if you file for bankruptcy, you can treat the $3,000 as unsecured debt, even if you bought the second car within 910 days of your bankruptcy filing. (In re Penrod, 611 F.3d 1158 (9th Cir. 2010).)
The unsecured portion of the claim is lumped in with your other unsecured debts. Because of the way unsecured debt is treated in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, many bankruptcy filers pay pennies on the dollar on the unsecured portion.
Here's an example of how this works:
You owe $20,000 on a car you bought three years ago. The car is now worth $15,000 (which means only $15,000 of the car loan is secured by the property). You can cram down the loan to $15,000 and pay this amount through your Chapter 13 plan. The remaining amount—$5,000—will be added to your unsecured debt and treated like all of your other unsecured debt.
Determining the Value of the Property
The appropriate methods of valuation depend on the type of property you are valuing.
Real estate and mobile homes. For real estate and mobile homes, use the current market value of the property. This is best accomplished through a formal appraisal—especially if you think the value may be contested by the secured creditor. If you don't anticipate a fight, you may be able to use comparable sales in your area. This will be less expensive than paying for a full appraisal.
Personal property. For personal property, use the replacement value of the property. Replacement value is not the amount it would cost to replace the item with a new item. Rather it's the amount a merchant could get for a used item of similar age and in a similar condition in a retail environment (as opposed to in a fire sale or auction). You can have the property appraised or use some other method to determine its replacement value.
For motor vehicles, you may be able to use an automotive industry guide, such as the Kelley Blue Book. Start with the retail value (rather than the wholesale value) and adjust that amount for the car's condition and mileage. If the car lender disputes the figure, you may need to have the vehicle appraised.
Lien Stripping: Getting Rid of Second Mortgages and Other Liens on Real Estate
With lien stripping, you may be able to eliminate certain second mortgages, HELOCs, and other liens on your real property. Unlike cramdown, lien stripping can be used to reduce your secured debt payments on your personal residence as well as other real property. Like cramdown, it involves valuing the property. Here's how it works:
If you have more than one mortgage on your property, you can ask the court to value the property and eliminate or "strip off" any mortgage that is determined to be wholly, or completely, unsecured. To figure out if a mortgage is completely unsecured, start with the value of the property and subtract the amount of any mortgages or liens that are more senior (meaning they must be paid off first) to the mortgage you are trying to strip. If the value of the property is less than the total amount of the senior mortgages and liens, then there is no equity left to secure the mortgage you are trying to strip, and it's unsecured.
Lien stripping is generally not available for first mortgages. If, as is almost always the case, a first mortgage is the most senior lien on the property, it will never be completely unsecured. A second or third mortgage, or a HELOC, is usually eligible for lien stripping if it is wholly unsecured. If you have a homeowners' or condominium association lien, however, you might not be able to strip it, even if it's wholly unsecured. Whether you can depends on state law and the way the lien was created. (Consult with a local attorney to find out.)
Example: John and Ellen own a home currently worth $100,000. They have three mortgages—the first is $80,000, the second is $27,000, and the third is $50,000. The first mortgage is entirely secured because it is less than the value of the home. The second mortgage is partially secured since the value of the house less the first mortgage
($100,000 - $80,000 = $20,000) is enough to cover only part of the
second mortgage. Since it is not completely unsecured, it cannot be stripped. John and Ellen have more luck with their third mortgage, which is completely unsecured. When you deduct the amount owed on the first two mortgages from the value of the house
($100,000 - $80,000 - $27,000 = -7,000), the result is less than zero. There is no equity left to provide security for the third mortgage. This means that John and Ellen can strip the entire $50,000 third mortgage.
Like cramdown, when a mortgage is stripped, the underlying debt becomes unsecured and is paid in your Chapter 13 plan along with your other unsecured creditors, such as credit cards and medical bills. These creditors usually receive only pennies on the dollar and sometimes less.
Lien stripping is not the same as lien avoidance. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may also be able to "avoid" liens, or get rid of them, if the property is exempt. Although the end result may be the same, or similar, lien avoidance is different from lien stripping because it hinges on property exemptions. To learn more about lien avoidance, see Ch. 11.
Is Chapter 13 Right for You?
For most people, the two choices for bankruptcy relief are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you immediately wipe out many debts, but in exchange you must give up any property you own that isn't protected by state or federal exemption laws.
Some of you won't have a choice between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy; if you want to file for bankruptcy, you will have to use Chapter 13 and repay some of your debt. (See Ch. 4 to find out whether you'll be limited to Chapter 13.) Likewise, if you don't have a steady income, your only bankruptcy choice is Chapter 7. Many people who have a choice decide to file under Chapter 7, but there are some situations when Chapter 13 will be the better option.
Upper-Income Filers Must Use Chapter 13
If your average monthly income during the six months before you file for bankruptcy is higher than the median income for your state, you may not be able to use Chapter 7. If your average income is more than the median, you cannot file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy if your disposable income would allow you to pay your unsecured creditors at least $12,475 over a five-year period (about $208 a month). (See Ch. 4 for more on this "means" test.)
Reasons to Choose Chapter 7
Most people who have a choice traditionally have opted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy because it is relatively fast, effective, easy to file, and doesn't require payments over time. It also doesn't require you to be current on your income tax filings. In the typical situation, a case is opened and closed within three to four months, and the filer emerges debt free except for a mortgage, car payments, and certain types of debts that survive bankruptcy (such as student loans, recent taxes, and back child support).
If you have any secured debts, such as a mortgage or car note, Chapter 7 allows you to keep the collateral as long as you are current on your payments. However, if your equity in the collateral substantially exceeds the exemption available to you for that type of property, the trustee can sell the property, pay off the loan, pay you your exemption (if any), and pay the rest to your unsecured creditor. If you are behind on your payments, the creditor can come into the bankruptcy court and ask the judge for permission to repossess the car (or other personal property) or foreclose on your mortgage. As a general rule, however, most Chapter 7 filers are able to keep all their property, either because they don't own much to begin with or because any equity they own is protected by an exemption.
Changes in the bankruptcy law in 2005 put a few obstacles in the way of Chapter 7 filers. Nevertheless, assuming you qualify, you likely will find it easier—and more effective—to file for Chapter 7 than to keep up with a long-term payment plan under Chapter 13. And if you do file for Chapter 13 and don't keep up with your repayment plan, you will likely get no benefit from having engaged in the Chapter 13 process if you later convert to a Chapter 7 (unless the court lets you off the hook early for hardship reasons or you were able to bring car or mortgage payments current during the time you were in Chapter 13).
Example: Frank files for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. His five-year plan includes current payments on his mortgage, repayment of part of his $50,000 credit card debt, and payment in full of a $2,000 back child support debt. Frank remains current on his plan for three years and then loses his job. In that three-year period, Frank, through the Chapter 13 trustee, paid $12,000 on credit card debt as well as the child support debt.
If Frank converts his case to Chapter 7,
he can discharge all of the remaining credit card debt. But had Frank filed Chapter 7 from the beginning, he could also have discharged the $12,000 that he already paid to the credit card companies under his Chapter 13 plan. If Frank decides to skip Chapter 7 and negotiate a repayment schedule for the remaining $38,000, he will at least have made a $12,000 dent in the original $50,000 debt by filing for Chapter 13.
The moral of the story is that you should file for Chapter 7 in the first place if:
- You are eligible to use Chapter 7.
- You have significant doubts about your ability to complete a Chapter 13 repayment plan.
- None of the pressing reasons to use Chapter 13 are present in your case (see below).
For many people, the overriding reason to choose Chapter 7 is that they can do it themselves for little or no money (other than the filing fee), whereas they don't feel comfortable handling their own Chapter 13 case and cannot afford to pay $3,000 or more in attorneys' fees.
Reasons to Choose Chapter 13
Although Chapter 7 is easier and doesn't require repayment, there are many good reasons why people who qualify for both types of bankruptcy choose Chapter 13 instead. Generally, Chapter 13 bankruptcy might make sense if you will have adequate, steady income to fund your plan for the appropriate period of time, and are in any of the following situations:
- You are facing foreclosure on your home or your car is being repossessed, and you want to keep your property. Using Chapter 13, you can make up the missed payments over time and reinstate the original agreement. You generally cannot do this in Chapter 7 bankruptcy—instead, you'll ultimately lose the property.
- You owe more on a vacation or investment property than that property is worth, and you can reduce the mortgage to the value of the property in Chapter 13. (This is possible only if you are not using the real estate as your primary residence.) (See "Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping," above.)
- You have more than one mortgage and are facing foreclosure because you can't make all the payments. If your home's value is less than or equal to what you owe on your first mortgage, you can use Chapter 13 to change the additional mortgages into unsecured debts—which don't have to be repaid in full—and lower the amount of your monthly payments. (See "Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping," above.)
- Your car is reliable and you want to keep it, but it's worth far less than you owe. You can take advantage of Chapter 13 bankruptcy's cramdown option (for cars purchased more than 2½ years before filing for bankruptcy) to keep the car by repaying its replacement value in equal payments over the life of your plan, rather than the full amount you owe on the contract. (See "Special Chapter 13 Features: Cramdowns and Lien Stripping," above.).
- You have a codebtor who will be protected under your Chapter 13 plan but who would not be protected if you used Chapter 7 (see Ch. 2).
- You have a tax obligation, student loan, or another debt that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, but can be paid off over time in a Chapter 13 plan.
- You owe debts that can be discharged in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy but not in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For instance, debts incurred to pay taxes can't be discharged in Chapter 7 but can be discharged in Chapter 13.
- You want to use the Chapter 13 forum to sue one or more harassing creditors for violating state and federal antiharassment laws. For more information on these laws, see Solve Your Money Troubles: Debt, Credit & Bankruptcy, by Robin Leonard and Margaret Reiter (Nolo).
- You have a business that you would have to close down in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy but can continue to operate in Chapter 13.
- You have valuable personal property or real estate that you would lose in a Chapter 7 case, but could keep if you file for Chapter 13.
- You have a sincere desire to repay your debts, but you need the protection of the bankruptcy court to do so.
Alternatives to Bankruptcy
By now, you should have a pretty good idea of what filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will involve—and what you can hope to get out of it. Before you decide whether a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the right solution for your debt problems, however, you should consider some basic options outside of the bankruptcy system. Although bankruptcy is the only sensible remedy for some people with debt problems, an alternative course of action makes better sense for others. This section explores some of your other options.
Do Nothing
Surprisingly, the best approach for some people who are deeply in debt is to take no action at all. You can't be thrown in jail for not paying your debts (with the exception of child support), and your creditors can't collect money from you that you just don't have.
Creditors Must Sue to Collect
Except for taxing agencies and student loan creditors, creditors must sue you in court and get a money judgment before they can go after your income and property. The big exception to this general rule is that a creditor can take collateral—foreclose on a house or repossess a car, for example—when you default on a debt that's secured by that collateral. (Although in some states, mortgage servicers must file a lawsuit in order to foreclose on your house.)
Under the typical security agreement (a contract involving collateral), the creditor can repossess the property without first going to court. But the creditor will not be able to go after your other property and income for any "deficiency" (the difference between what you owe and what the repossessed property fetches at auction) without first going to court for a money judgment.
To secure a money judgment, a creditor must have you personally served with a summons and complaint. In most states, you will have 30 days to file a response in the court where you are being sued. If you don't respond, the creditor can obtain a default judgment and seek to collect it from your income and property. If you do respond—and you are entitled to do so even if you think you owe the debt—the process will typically be set back several months until the court can schedule a trial where you can be heard. In most courts, you respond by filing a single document in which you deny everything in the creditor's complaint (or, in some courts, admit or deny each of the allegations in the complaint).
Much of Your Property Is Protected
Even if creditors get money judgments against you, they can't take away such essentials as:
- basic clothing
- ordinary household furnishings
- personal effects
- food
- Social Security or SSI payments necessary for your support
- unemployment benefits
- public assistance
- bank accounts with direct deposits from government benefit programs, and
- 75% of your wages (but more can be taken to pay child support judgments).
The general state exemptions described in Ch. 4 (and listed in Appendix A) apply whether or not you file for bankruptcy. Even creditors who get a money judgment against you can't take these protected items. (However, neither the federal bankruptcy exemptions nor the state bankruptcy-only exemptions available in California and a few other states apply if a creditor sues you in state civil court.)
When You Are Judgment Proof
A judgment is good only if the person who has it—the judgment creditor—can seize income or property from the debtor. If you have no property or income that can be taken to pay the judgment, you are said to be "judgment proof." For example, if your only income is from Social Security (which can be seized only by the IRS and federal student loan creditors) and all your property is exempt under your state's exemption laws, your judgment creditor can't take your income. Your life will continue as before, although one or more of your creditors may get pushy from time to time. While money judgments last a long time and can be renewed, this won't make any difference unless your fortunes change for the better. If that happens, you might reconsider bankruptcy at that time.
If your creditors know that their chances of collecting judgments from you any time soon are slim, they probably won't sue you in the first place. Instead, they'll simply write off your debts and treat them as deductible business losses for income tax purposes. After some years have passed (usually between four and ten), the debt will become legally uncollectible, under state laws known as statutes of limitation.
These statutes of limitation won't help you if the creditor sues or renews its judgment within the time limit, but most won't. Lawsuits typically cost thousands of dollars in legal fees. If a creditor decides, on the basis of your economic profile, not to go to court at the present time, it is unlikely to seek a judgment down the line to extend its claims. In short, because creditors are reluctant to throw good money after bad, your poor economic circumstances might shield you from trouble.
Don't restart the clock. The statute of limitations can be renewed if you revive an old debt by, for example, admitting that you owe it or making a payment. The specifics vary by state. As soon as you take the action necessary to revive the debt, the clock starts all over again. Savvy creditors are aware of this loophole and may try to trick you into reviving the debt so they can sue to collect it. Sometimes, it might be a good idea to try to repay a debt, particularly one to a local merchant with whom you wish to continue doing business. But unless you are planning to make good on the debt or try to negotiate a new payment schedule, you should avoid any admissions.
Stopping Debt Collector Harassment
Many people file for bankruptcy to stop their creditors from making harassing telephone calls and writing threatening letters. As explained above and in Ch. 2, the automatic stay stops most collection efforts as soon as you file for bankruptcy. However, you don't have to start a bankruptcy case to get annoying creditors off your back. Federal law forbids collection agencies from threatening you, lying about what they can do to you, or invading your privacy.
We hope you enjoyed this material. The rest of the book is available for purchase.


text:
May 6, 2016
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new federal study says that teenagers' perception of the dangers of marijuana has fallen to the lowest level in more than 20 years.
The survey released by the National Institutes of Health found that only 41.7 percent of eighth graders believe that occasional use of marijuana is harmful, while nearly 67 percent regard it as dangerous when used regularly.
Both rates are the lowest since 1991.
Teens' perception of marijuana risks diminished even more as they got older. About 20.6 percent of 12th graders said occasional use of pot is harmful. Roughly 44.1 percent believe that using it regularly was detrimental, the lowest since 1979.
The study said teens' dwindling concerns about the dangers of marijuana, despite the risks, "can signal future increases in use."
Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


text:
Claude Wome
this wiki
Claude Wome is a a character in the Grand Theft Auto series, being mentioned in the LCPD Database in Grand Theft Auto IV.
Claude Wome, born in 1966 in an unknown African country, is a warlord who arrived in Liberty City in order to purchase weapons, prostitutes, and Perseus suits. In 2000, a 34-year old Claude was arrested for 'clean diamond act violation'. By this time, he began dealing with diamond dealers, Isaac Roth and Mori Green from the Jewish Mob.
He was arrested again in 2002 for possessing a gold-plated Rocket Launcher. According to the LCPD, Wome once hired out every hotel room in Opium Nights so he could walk to breakfast nude. Claude is also wanted by the Civilization Committee for crimes against humanity.
LCPD Database information
Surname: Wome
First Name: Claude
Age: 42
Place of Birth: Unknown city in Africa
Affiliations: N/A
Criminal Record:
- 2000 - Clean Diamond Act Violation
- 2002 - Criminal Possession Weapon: Gold-Plated Rocket Launcher
- African warlord, believed to have come to Liberty City in order to buy guns, prostitutes and Perseus suits.
- Arrested selling illegal conflict diamonds to Liberty City dealers, Isaac Roth and Mori Green.
- Blocked out every hotel room in Opium Nights so that he could walk to breakfast naked.
- Wanted by the Civilization Committee for crimes against humanity.


text:
|Back to Main Print This Page Email to a Friend
Collagen vascular disease occurs when problems with the immune system affect collagen.
Collagen is a tough, fiber-like protein that makes up about a third of body protein. It is part of the structure of tendons, bones, and connective tissues.
In a class of diseases known as autoimmune disorders, the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Some of these diseases are similar to each other such as arthritis and inflammation of arteries in the tissues that connect joints and other tissues. As a group, these diseases are known as collagen vascular diseases.
Collagen vascular diseases include:


text:
Edge Control
Creates habitat for upland birds, small game and some big game. Instead of cultivating right up to the edge of the woods, farmers leave a swath of land around the field to create shelter and food for the wildlife. It is cut every two to three years.
Through the sport of hunting, we can manage the population of the wildlife. Hunting maintains the correct number of specific wildlife for a given amount of habitat or area, and will also provide wildlife biologists with valuable information on species and population numbers in a given area. Using this information, hunting regulations and daily bag limits are determined each year for the duration of the season. Bag Limits are the maximum number of game animals a hunter may harvest in a given day or hunting season. Please check with your local regulations to ensure you are aware of the bag limit for the specific game you are hunting to avoid prosecution and/or fines.
Trapping is a part of our heritage. It is used to harvest certain fur bearing species and is also used in nuisance control of wildlife.
Food Plots
This creates winter feeding areas for wildlife. These plots are small areas planted with a mixture of grasses and clovers in open areas in the woods and on old logging roads.
Conservation Easements
Private landowners sign contracts agreeing that their land will not be developed.
Wildlife Refuges and Wildlife Management Areas
Government agencies and private landowners purchase land to preserve the natural beauty and the wildlife present in these areas.


text:
Republican Jon Courtney of Springvale is hoping to swap his seat in the state Senate, where he is majority leader, for one in the U.S. House of Representatives this fall. Tonight we continue our series of candidate profiles with a look at Courtney's qualifications for the job. While he acknowledges that unseating Democratic incumbent Chellie Pingree will be a challenge, Courtney says Maine's 1st Congressional District does not automatically belong to the blue party.
"It's not an entitlement that the Democrats own the 1st District," Courtney (right) says. "Every two years it's up for re-election and I believe that we've shown that we can work across the aisle and we can do things differently than they do in Washington. I don't think it's good enough to go to Washington and sit in your corner and not be part of the solution."
Courtney says he shares Sen. Olympia Snowe's frustration with the lack of civility and bipartisan cooperation in Congress.
Despite what he says is his willingness to listen to the other side, Courtney is solidly conservative on many issues: He's pro-life, anti-gay marriage, and he thinks the policies of President Barack Obama are failing the country, and burying Americans in a mountain of debt.
"What we're doing today in Washington is absolutely not working," he says. Courtney says government spending is out-of-control, as evidenced by the national debt that now equates to more than $50,000 owed by every single American.
"What kind of legacy are we leaving our kids unless we really try to get at this and get this under control?"
Courtney believes key to getting that under control is to scrap the Affordable Care Act, which he says has been a costly failure. He disagrees with the so-called "individual mandate" portion of the act, which requires people to purchase health insurance, and he would like to see the entire plan repealed and replaced.
"Replace it with market-based reforms, do some of the things like we've done in Maine," Courtney says. "Some of the things we've done--we've tried to create guaranteed access plans for the sickest and small groups, tried to allow us to buy health insurance across state lines. You ought to be able to go online and pull up health insurance, google health insurance, and you ought to be able to buy your health insurance. And it should be that simple, and it isn't."
Courtney is a big advocate of tax reform and says he wants to put more dollars in the pockets of ordinary Americans.
A measure recently passed by the Maine Senate aims to gradually reduce the state's income tax level from nearly 8 percent to 4 percent. Courtney says this kind of action will foster economic growth and job creation.
As for the so-called "Buffett rule," which proposes a minimum 30 percent tax rate on the highest earners, "The best thing that we can do with regards to the Buffett suggestion is let Warren Buffett keep his own money," he says. "Warren Buffett can do more to help this country by investing and creating jobs than he ever could do by writing a check to the government. The United States government has a spending problem."
Jon Courtney believes the government is correct in considering all energy options, but says that subsidies for the development of altnernative energy are not sustainable. To be viable, he says, an energy source must be able to compete in the marketplace.
In that same vein, Courtney sees the need for the Amtrak rail service to continue, but says it needs to move away from being dependent on government subsidies. He supports the controversial educational concept of No Child Left Behind, but says it needs work.
On the foreign policy side, he's been less outspoken, but says he's a supporter of the U.S. alliance with Israel. He's also said that any future decision to enter a conflict should be made by the experts, and not done for short-term political reasons.
Portland businessman and Iraq war veteran Chris Tyll thinks Courtney has the experience necessary to serve in Congress.
"I think what Sen. Courtney brings to the battle, so to speak, is 10 years of proven leadership in Augusta," Tyll says. "He makes decisions in Augusta that directly impact Maine people in a positive way."
Tyll, who's planning to enter politics himself later this year in a bid for the state Senate, is also impressed with Courtney's ability to reach across the aisle.
Amy Abbott of Portland is a full-time mom and a volunteer with the Courtney campaign. "Jon has been a long-time small business owner and a lifetime Mainer, and he's always supported the working people of Maine," she says. "And I couldn't think of anybody that would better represent us in Washington."
USM Political Science Professor Ron Schmidt says Courtney has chosen some tough political terrain on which to do battle. "It's a liberal district and he's running against somebody who has a lot of name recognition," Schmidt says.
However, given that Courtney is termed out in the Maine Legislature, Schmidt says he has nothing to lose in running for Congress. "It makes sense given the situation that he's in. But it's going to be a hard race for him to win: The last poll numbers I saw had him pretty far behind. And under the best of circumstances it's very difficult to unseat an incumbent."
Before he can take on Chellie Pingree however, Courtney has to defeat fellow Republican Patrick Calder in the June 12th primary election.


text:
Motion Computing F5 Tablet reviewTechRadar Pro
The Motion Computing F5 (£1622 inc. VAT) is a slate-style Tablet PC, with a display that covers most of the front of the device. The company is targeting field and construction workers and, as such, strength plays a key part in the F5's design. However, we could equally see this device being used in medical institutions as well as schools.


text:
that link was not at all helpful
okay now it works I think
Hey guys,
It has been awhile since I came here with a request for a map for my D&D campaign. I got an excellent map then which served very well so far, but now I would need it expanded.
The rule of the thumb for this map was that it should be about size of France and in "similar region" as France with a small kingdom on it. What I would now need is lots of uninhabitated space around it - and an empire/kingdom (just a few cities with capital will do) which kingdom of already drawn cities (Alliance of Cities) has not yet found. (I guess it should not be as far as USA is to Europe, perhaps there should just be a large island? Something like Great Britain? Or really remote peninsula, still attached to main landmass. Maybe, if not something unknown, then at least really remote, but if possible "left" or "right" of the current map/peninsula. The size of the map would be limited by having enough space for this Alliance of Cities to not know about it.
Quality can be low, as long as it is readable. There is really no time frame on when I need this. Within next few weeks would be ok. Copyright ... it will only be used for my personal D&D campaign ... I dont really know if anyone wants to protect that.
So ... does anyone feel like expanding my D&D "France". (Or at least what is left of it. Wizards demolished northern part )
Last edited by RobA; 10-30-2012 at 10:31 PM.
that link was not at all helpful
okay now it works I think
I bet I could totally help make an expansion to this map
Okay this is what I made I dont know if this is acceptable or not . . . but it is what I made
I got a much bigger version of it if you like it
My tutorials: Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional Map ~ All My Tutorials
My GIMP Scripts: Rotating Brush ~ Gradient from Image ~ Mosaic Tile Helper ~ Random Density Map ~ Subterranean Map Prettier ~ Tapered Stroke Path ~ Random Rotate Floating Layer ~ Batch Image to Pattern ~ Better Seamless Tiles ~ Tile Shuffle ~ Scale Pattern ~ Grid of Guides ~ Fractalize path ~ Label Points
My Maps: Finished Maps ~ Challenge Entries ~ My Portfolio: www.cartocopia.com
This looks good - with one exception. I do not want any cities CLOSE to already existing. I would like another kingdom somewhere far away. Also, if you could expand the map further north.
Otherwise, this is great.
We already have Cartographers guild of mr. Ravells in main city, (he made first map), I guess it could be "Ravell and Ralok".
A small tip of the hat to authors
hmmmm okay, I guess I can
one moment please
I am having a hard time trying to figure out what you want exactly
but I am trying
Let me put it this way: you may add a cluster of a few cities (kingdom), but should be at least 1000 miles away from these. Please do not add any setlements near already existing.
Otherwise this map is really cool. If you feel like it, expand it 2000 miles in every direction.


text:
2013 Presidential Scholarship Recipients
Four area students have been awarded Presidential Academic Service Scholarships at Volunteer State Community College. All students who applied for private scholarships at Vol State were screened. Those chosen had a 26 or better on the ACT, a 3.50 high school GPA and met the March deadline. From this group the top five were selected. The scholarship provides $4,000 for the year. The students will work 75 hours with Vol State campus offices each semester.
Pictured: Elizabeth Dye of Mt. Juliet (left) and Ginny Clayborne of Manchester (right) are congratulated by Vol State President Dr. Jerry Faulkner. The two other recipients, not shown, are: Micah Folk of Pleasant View and Michelle Hunley of Murfreesboro.


text:
The top surfers in the world are once again heading toward Southern California for what is generally regarded as the best high performance wave on the tour. As the 6th stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hurley Pro is a vital contest in deciding the fates of the tour contenders. And this being Hurley's first official year as title sponsor of the event, don't be surprised if they go all out.
Joel Parkinson currently sits with a commanding 1404 point lead over 2nd place CJ Hobgood. Parko's been on fire this season, winning three out of the five contests and he looks to further separate himself from the rest of the pack with a solid performance.
But as we've seen countless times, there are never any guarantees. Parko could have a shocker for the rest of the season and somehow get overtaken. It's not the likeliest of scenarios, but that's why we all watch isn't it?
The waiting period is from September 12-19, 2009 and will be broadcast live here.
Get your Fantasy Action Surf League picks in, and keep informed by visiting TransWorld SURF for all your surfing news. Don't forget, the event is in our backyard here in SoCal, so we'll be bringing you daily coverage from Lowers.
Here's our Fantasy Action Sports League teams for the 2009 Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles:
Chris Cote
Winner: Dane Reynolds, he's gonna go out there and do 540s over your skulls.
Shocker: We'll see if he shows or not, but sources are saying that Parko will be at home and not at Lowers, in that case, his absence will shock some and stoke others, as in the rest of the top 45.
Best Rookie Performance: Nathaniel will shine, and if there's waves Kekoa is gonna smash some rights to death.
Casey Koteen
Winner: I know Kelly will win, but I'd love to see Josh Kerr stomp some big airs for his first WCT win.
Shocker: It's not all that shocking, but Adriano is on a tear and we might see the first Brazilian Lowers winner this year.
Best Rookie Performance: It's Barca time.
Aaron Checkwood
Winner: In the past, it seemed like the non-regular winners would win (Egan, Lovett, Bede) and then Kelly would win…Lowers is always a crap shoot…I have no freakin' idea so I'll say Taj because he always gets so close and is in form.
Shocker: I hate predicting bad shockers so I'll say a good shocker and say Heitor Alves will do some damage…he made quarters last year.
Best Rookie Performance: Gotta go with Kekoa…Nationals flashbacks.
Justin Cote
Winner: Josh Kerr cuz he sends us sick videos.
Shocker: Lowers will have some of the best surf the tour has seen all year. What was all that crap about a rebel tour? Viva the ASP!
Best Rookie Performance: Who cares, when's the media heat, TWS will smoke those other fools!
Carl Steindler
Winner: Kelly. Bob [Hurley] might throw some extra $$ into the purse and that will give him all the motivation he needs. The man loves his cheddar.
Shocker: Freddy P. He kills it at Lowers with his great backhand to pair with his forehand attack. Plus he had that win there at the Nike comp a few months ago.
Best Rookie Performance: Tim Boal… don't laugh at me but after watching him surf there at the Nike comp I was pretty impressed and he's got a chance to do well. Euro force baby.
Ryan Brower
Winner: I think Dane's got a chance to keep on a roll after J-Bay, but in my mind this event is gonna come down to Parko or Slater. If Parko falters, Slater is going to be there to attack and create a potential title chase going into the European leg. Remember the days when the title came down to Pipe?
Shocker: Though not much of a shocker at Lowers, Wardo hasn't done much on tour this year. Lowers is his arena and he'll be putting up a big result.
Best Rookie Performance: The world saw the abilities of Michel Bourez at J-Bay, and he's going to continue to show what he can do out there.
Nick Jiampa
Winner: Slater. He's won 3 out of the last 4 years. He always seems to shine and make good decisions at the Lowers contest.
Shocker: If he's fully recovered from his ankle injury, Brett Simpson finishes in the top 3. And Parko (if he shows) loses early to make the rest of the world tour an actual battle.
Best Rookie Performance: Michel Bourez takes out a few of the bigger names.
2008 Lower Trestles Pro Highlights


text:
3 Stocks Pushing The Leisure Industry Higher
Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading down 10 points (-0.1%) at 16,415 as of Thursday, April 17, 2014, 12:55 PM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,581 issues advancing vs. 1,369 declining with 186 unchanged. The Leisure industry currently sits down 0.1% versus the S&P 500, which is unchanged. TheStreet would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the industry higher today: 3. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide ( HOT) is one of the companies pushing the Leisure industry higher today. As of noon trading, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is up $0.81 (1.1%) to $77.33 on average volume. Thus far, 686,725 shares of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 1.7 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $76.37-$77.53 after having opened the day at $76.50 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $76.52. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. operates as a hotel and leisure company worldwide. The company owns, operates, and franchises luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts, residences, retreats, select-service hotels, and extended stay hotels under the St. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has a market cap of $14.5 billion and is part of the services sector. Shares are down 3.7% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 14 analysts who rate Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 6 rate it a hold. TheStreet Ratings rates Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, reasonable valuation levels, good cash flow from operations, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income. Get the full Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Ratings Report now. 3x UPSIDE POTENTIAL: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.Editor's Note: Any reference to TheStreet Ratings and its underlying recommendation does not reflect the opinion of TheStreet, Inc. or any of its contributors including Jim Cramer or Stephanie Link. One out of the three major indices are trading lower today with the
Check Out Our Best Services for Investors
Action Alerts PLUS
Portfolio Manager Jim Cramer and Director of Research Jack Mohr reveal their investment tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.
Product Features:
- $2.5+ million portfolio
- Large-cap and dividend focus
- Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
Quant Ratings
Access the tool that DOMINATES the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500.
Product Features:
- Buy, hold, or sell recommendations for over 4,300 stocks
- Unlimited research reports on your favorite stocks
- A custom stock screener
Stocks Under $10
David Peltier uncovers low dollar stocks with serious upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.
Product Features:
- Model portfolio
- Stocks trading below $10
- Intraday trade alerts
Dividend Stock Advisor
David Peltier identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.
Product Features:
- Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
- Updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Trifecta Stocks
Every recommendation goes through 3 layers of intense scrutinyquantitative, fundamental and technical analysisto maximize profit potential and minimize risk.
Product Features:
- Model Portfolio
- Intra Day Trade alerts
- Access to Quant Ratings
Real Money
More than 30 investing pros with skin in the game give you actionable insight and investment ideas.
Product Features:
- Access to Jim Cramer's daily blog
- Intraday commentary and news
- Real-time trading forums


text:
May 2, 2016
After a high school parking lot fight got out of hand, the Bertie County Sheriff says a handful of teenagers were arrested and are now facing criminal charges.
Sheriff John Holley tells WITN the fight broke out Tuesday afternoon, after school let out, in the parking lot of Bertie High School.
Holley said a school resource officer called for back up when a group of students from Bertie High and the Academy Alternative school started fighting.
The sheriff said five to seven students were arrested on the spot and some of them are now facing criminal charges, including disorderly conduct and simple affray.
Sheriff Holley tells WITN some of the students were juveniles, most between the ages of 15 and 16 years old.
No word yet on any injuries from the fight or why it started.
The sheriff said more arrests are pending, and more details are expected to be released later Wednesday afternoon.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Motorist airlifted after rollover accident on U.S. 20
Traffic accident on U.S. 20 Thursday morning.
ELKHART — A motorist who was trapped following a rollover accident on the U.S. 20 Bypass Thursday morning was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The accident happened between U.S. 33 and C.R. 17 east of Elkhart and involved a sport utility vehicle that was towing a recreational vehicle.
A woman was temporarily trapped, but a child and dog were able to get out of the vehicle and were being checked out by emergency responders.
Concord Township Fire Department personnel responded to the accident.


text:
Media brief: Danish Bacon sponsorship
Danish Bacon has renewed its sponsorship of Classic Gold Digital's The Sensational Breakfast Show, featuring DJ Tony Blackburn, for six months.
Before commenting please read our rules for commenting on articles.
If you see a comment you find offensive, you can flag it as inappropriate. In the top right-hand corner of an individual comment, you will see 'flag as inappropriate'. Clicking this prompts us to review the comment. For further information see our rules for commenting on articles.


text:
Tobacco farmers in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region have incurred a loss amounting to 5.3bn/- in the last harvesting season due to low price offered by the purchasing companies.
This was said here by the District Cooperatives Officer, Deogratius Rugangila, when speaking at a meeting convened by farmers of Mweli and Itaganya villages to discuss the development of the crop.
The meeting was also attended by Kahama lawmaker James Lembeli.
He said apart from that farmers at Bulungwa ward also experienced similar loss where they sold their crops at less than the set price.
He said the farmers were also forced to pay 350,000/- for every bale of tobacco that failed to meet the required standards.
As a result some farmers sold the crop to middlemen at lower prices compared to that offered by private buyers.
He urged farmers to be careful when they sell their crops to buying companies, saying some of them are unscrupulous and may use any loophole to ensure they do not get high prices.
Rugangila said that the second payment for the farmers who owe the private buyers would be settled soon.


text:
Premiere Elements 11 Archives - SoftwareMedia Blog
7 Affordable Video Editing Software SolutionsJanuary 24, 2013 | Mason Hymas
Now that we're able to make decent quality videos right from our phones video editing software is becoming more essential to the average consumer. For many, the most basic editing software just isn't versatile enough, and the premium editing software, like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final cut, are far too expensive and contain an overwhelming amount of features and capabilities. Read More


text:
Hot Sticks are
The new square paint stick shape allows artists to use encaustic paints in a whole new way. The Hot Stick design is very versatile. You can use Hot Sticks for encaustic painting, printmaking, rubbings, and even mixed media techniques. Hot Sticks can be melted directly on your hot palette to create a puddle of color for your brush or can be applied directly on a heated substrate. When applied to a heated substrate, Hot Sticks glide just like lipstick on your piece creating those vibrant colors or subtle earth tones you love.
Enkaustikos uses only the finest,
Painting with Hot Sticks encaustic paints allows delicate layering of thin, transparent glazes and the creation of heavy impasto textures within minutes without concern for "fat over lean." Scraping to reveal underlying colors or add texture, surface modeling, and other techniques are accomplished easily with Hot Sticks. They're ideal for altered art, painting, printmaking,
Color Chart Note — Use this color chart as an approximation of the real color. If exact color matching is necessary, use actual samples of the materials.
see also ...
® Enkaustikos is a registered trademark. ® Hot Sticks is a registered trademark.


text:
Tausch: Double Clarinet Concertos; Süssmayr / Thea King
1 CD / Hyperion / 2004-10-12Works: Franz Tausch: Concerto for 2 clarinets no 1 in B flat major, Op. 27; Concerto for 2 clarinets no 2 in B flat major, Op. 26; Franz Xaver Süssmayr: Concerto Movement for basset clarinet in D
Performers: Bucknall, Stephen; King, Thea
Conductors: Hager, Leopold
Ensemble: English Chamber Orchestra
'Again Hyperion has come up with a really excellent programme, and the works are given performances out of the top drawer... there can be no...continue...
read more Login or Create an Account to write a review


text:
Presidential Dollar Rolls
These may be the biggest collector items of the century! Announcing the first-ever series of coins commemorating our U.S. Presidents and the first-ever circulating series of dollar coins.
While our supplies last, you may get in on the ground floor of this important collecting opportunity by signing up to receive the first issues (minting has already ceased) and the new issues in this landmark series.
You will receive a roll of 12 Presidential Dollars in gem-brilliant, never-circulated condition, sealed to ensure their protection plus a single encapsulated Presidential Dollar in the same condition...13 coins in all. Then, every 4-6 weeks, you'll receive the next coin in this extraordinary series until you're caught up with the U.S. Mint release schedule of a new coin approximately every three months. Future issues are at the same low price - subject only to possible adjustment if needed for unusual market conditions.
With your third shipment, you'll receive a free deluxe wooden display designed specifically to showcase and protect your collection.
Prompt action is strongly advised.
Product Information
- 8682-0115


text:
The Power of Independent Thinking
Is U.S. Justice Broken?
Recorded: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Part 1 |
Part 2
From fingerprinting to criminal sentencing, from lawyer licensing to judicial selection, and from eminent domain to wealth transfers via class-action lawsuits, how do perverse incentives impact the law and what reforms would create a more just and efficient legal system?
Experts: David D. Friedman, Alex Kozinski, Edward J. López, David J. TherouxType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Criminal Justice/ Prisons
Edward López with David Theroux on the New Book, The Pursuit of Justice
Recorded: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Independent Institute Research Fellow Edward Lopéz, Associate Professor of Law and Economics at San Jose State University and editor of the new Institute book The Pursuit of Justice, talks with Institute President David Theroux about the faulty incentives at the heart of government legal failures and whether market-based alternatives can provide viable solutions to the serious problems caused by the bureaucratization and politicization of the law.
Experts: Edward J. López, David J. TherouxType: RadioIssues: Criminal Justice/ Prisons, Law Enforcement, Privatization
David Theroux on the Arizona Immigration Law
Recorded: Thursday, July 15, 2010
David Theroux discusses the Arizona immigration law on The Neil Asbury Show.
Experts: David J. TherouxType: RadioIssues: Crime, Criminal Justice/ Prisons, Immigration, Law Enforcement
William Watkins on NPRs Talk of the Nation Discussing Supreme Court Nominations
Recorded: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
With the hearings on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, Research Fellow William J. Watkins, Jr., was interviewed on NPRs Talk of the Nation to discuss how to revise the nomination and selection process of Supreme Court Justices, based on his recent article in the Washington Examiner, A role for the people in judicial selection.
Experts: William J. Watkins Jr.Type: RadioIssues: Criminal Justice/ Prisons, Litigation, Politics