Legal Question in Bankruptcy in North Carolina

We are in the process of filing bankruptcy and we have a loan that has a lawnmower and trailer financed. We sold them a few months ago to help us pay our monthly bills. We did not pay off the loan, so what can happen once we have our hearing? Thry mentioned it was a criminal offense. Could we still pay thr bill as normal. To avoid anything? Should mention that the paralegal included it and said ther should not be a problem, but it was up to the judge. Please help! We don't want to go to jail!


Asked on 8/23/12, 8:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Thomas Zimmerman Zimmerman Law Office

Selling collateral out of trust, which is what is shown, in not a criminal event. I think if the creditor threatens criminal action, where there is no statute that allows it, it is a violation of the debt collection practices act. The creditor still has a lien on the property and could go pick it up, if they knew where it was. The creditor could file an adversary proceeding, at great costs and time, to seek to have its debt held not discharged. If the court ruled that the debt was such the creditor could take judgment and try to collect the judgment just like any other unsecured debt if no bankruptcy was filed. The most that they could take as judgment is the fair market value of the collateral at the time of filing. Your lawyer should advise what action to take, if any, and when to take the action. You could offer to reaffirm for the FMV, (make post bankruptcy payments) you could redeem for the FMV (pay lump sum).

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Answered on 8/23/12, 9:25 am


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