Legal Question in Bankruptcy in Nevada

I was considering filing bankruptcy , my income has decreased by 65%. and I am upside down in my present home by 100k+. My husband just passed away and I will be receiving a payoff on a small life insurance policy. Would the proceeds from the life insurance be protected thru bankruptcy or will the court want the money? I am living in Las Vegas, NV. Thank You


Asked on 9/14/10, 2:29 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Paul Malikowski Malikowski Law Offices, Ltd.

Nevada law provides quite a few exemptions from creditor executions. One of them, which may be pertinent to you, reads:

"All money, benefits, privileges or immunities accruing or in any manner growing out of any life insurance, if the annual premium paid does not exceed $15,000. If the premium exceeds that amount, a similar exemption exists which bears the same proportion to the money, benefits, privileges and immunities so accruing or growing out of the insurance that the $15,000 bears to the whole annual premium paid."

Deposit those funds into a bank to whom you owe money, and -- whoops -- it may be gone, per the bank's right of setoff, nothwithstanding the legal exemption. A bankruptcy trustee might also claim otherwise exempt insurance proceeds, if they have been comingled with other funds in a bank or other financial account.

Your attorney can explain further.

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Answered on 9/19/10, 2:45 pm

As Paul indicated, life insurance proceeds are usually not taken by a Bankruptcy Trustee, but you may need to be concerned about what might happen before you file your Bankruptcy. That is why it can be so important to consult with a Bankruptcy attorney early on rather than after you have made certain financial decisions that cannot be undone.

I am more concerned about whether Bankruptcy is the right choice for you and whether it will give you the help you are looking for.

Unless you have a second mortgage on your home, Bankruptcy might not be necessary for you unless you also have a substantial amount of other debt.

Good luck & feel free to contact my office.

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Answered on 9/20/10, 10:10 am


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