Washington Bankruptcy Legal Questions

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98 legal questions have been posted about bankruptcy by real users in Washington. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include commercial bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy, and foreclosures. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
Washington Bankruptcy Questions & Legal Answers - Page 3
Do you have any Washington Bankruptcy questions page 3 and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 98 previously answered Washington Bankruptcy questions.

Recent Legal Answers

That is a question only a CPA can answer, but you need to file IRS Form 982 in the tax year in which you received your discharge. See my article on filing taxes after bankruptcy for more information on this and a discussion of whether debts that are discharged in bankruptcy become taxable income to the taxpayer/debtor.  ... Read More
That is a question only a CPA can answer, but you need to file IRS Form 982 in the tax year in which you received your discharge. See my article on... Read More
You need to defend the action. That means that you must file an answer, go to court and submit evidence.
You need to defend the action. That means that you must file an answer, go to court and submit evidence.

can i eliminate my taxes by filing chapter 13

Answered 11 years and 10 months ago by Joseph Francisco Botelho (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
No, bankruptcy cannot be used to discharge taxes (most of the time). After a certain duration of time and under certain circumstances you may write off a portion of taxes, but this is usually not the case. You cannot use chapter 13 bankruptcy to eliminate taxes, although you may use it to enter into a repayment plan to pay taxes either to the IRS or the Department of revenue in the state you live in. There are some things that bankruptcy simply is not going to help you with automatically, student loans, taxes, spousal support, child support and a few others. I have responded to your inquiry according to the laws of Massachusetts, where my firm is located. Laws can vary significantly from state to state and cases tend to be rather fact-specific, so you are best served by consulting with a knowledgeable attorney in weighing your options. Email messages/Online Correspondence are akin to conversations and do not reflect the level of analysis applied to formal legal opinions. Email/Online responses do not form an attorney-client relationship.    Joseph F. Botelho, Esq. BOTELHO LAW GROUP Attorneys At Law http://fallriverbankruptcyattorney.com/ 901 Eastern Ave.  Unit 2 Fall River, MA 02723  Office:  888-269-0688 FAX:    877-475-8147 #bankruptcy  #lawyer  #FallRiver  #Chapter7  #chapter13  #debt  #debtsettlement  #foreclosure  #attorney   #cantpaybills  #lawsuit  #court  #bankruptcycourt  #eviction  #lostmyjob... Read More
No, bankruptcy cannot be used to discharge taxes (most of the time). After a certain duration of time and under certain circumstances you may write... Read More

Can I discharge a DOR lien in bankruptcy?

Answered 11 years and 10 months ago by Joseph Francisco Botelho (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Most likely you will not be able to discharge a lean for taxes due to the Department of revenue. Most taxes, fines and liens from government institutions such as the IRS, D.O. R and student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Basically the government always gets its money. There are a certain in few exceptions, but those rarely are able to be employed by the average person. I have responded to your inquiry according to the laws of Massachusetts, where my firm is located. Laws can vary significantly from state to state and cases tend to be rather fact-specific, so you are best served by consulting with a knowledgeable attorney in weighing your options. Email messages/Online Correspondence are akin to conversations and do not reflect the level of analysis applied to formal legal opinions. Email/Online responses do not form an attorney-client relationship.    Joseph F. Botelho, Esq. BOTELHO LAW GROUP Attorneys At Law http://fallriverbankruptcyattorney.com/ 901 Eastern Ave.  Unit 2 Fall River, MA 02723  Office:  888-269-0688 FAX:    877-475-8147 #bankruptcy  #lawyer  #FallRiver  #Chapter7  #chapter13  #debt  #debtsettlement  #foreclosure  #attorney   #cantpaybills  #lawsuit  #court  #bankruptcycourt  #eviction  #lostmyjob... Read More
Most likely you will not be able to discharge a lean for taxes due to the Department of revenue. Most taxes, fines and liens from government... Read More

Can employer issue bonus checks to an employee who owes back taxes to IRS aside from the employeeโ€™s paycheck?

Answered 11 years and 10 months ago by William L. Sanders (Unclaimed Profile)   |   7 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
I know of no reason why the employer may not do this. Employee not filing the tax returns is not the employer's problem.
I know of no reason why the employer may not do this. Employee not filing the tax returns is not the employer's problem.

What can we do to establish the priority of a family private home loan that is not documented over the new judgment?

Answered 11 years and 11 months ago by James Timothy Weiner (Unclaimed Profile)   |   3 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
You are NOT giving enough information Has the creditor actually filed a lien against the house? If not then its first to file in Michigan so FILE the private mortgage immediately.
You are NOT giving enough information Has the creditor actually filed a lien against the house? If not then its first to file in Michigan so FILE... Read More

payments after bankruptcy

Answered 11 years and 11 months ago by Joseph Francisco Botelho (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Any monies that are to be paid to a creditor who you have been discharged in bankruptcy and no longer are obligated to pay that debt, that money would still go to them. Bankruptcy remove your obligation to pay a debt, it does not destroy the actual debt, only your legal obligation to pay. Therefore if a lawsuit or some other third-party financing had come up which was meant to pay off that debt, that money should go to that particular creditor. This is usually handled by the bankruptcy trustee handling your case. I have responded to your inquiry according to the laws of Massachusetts, where my firm is located. Laws can vary significantly from state to state and cases tend to be rather fact-specific, so you are best served by consulting with a knowledgeable attorney in weighing your options. Email messages/Online Correspondence are akin to conversations and do not reflect the level of analysis applied to formal legal opinions. Email/Online responses do not form an attorney-client relationship.    Joseph F. Botelho, Esq. BOTELHO LAW GROUP Attorneys At Law http://fallriverbankruptcyattorney.com/ 901 Eastern Ave.  Unit 2 Fall River, MA 02723  Office:  888-269-0688 FAX:    877-475-8147... Read More
Any monies that are to be paid to a creditor who you have been discharged in bankruptcy and no longer are obligated to pay that debt, that money... Read More

Do I need to include my spouse's income?

Answered 11 years and 11 months ago by Joseph Francisco Botelho (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
When filing for either a chapter 7 bankruptcy or a chapter 13 bankruptcy, you need only include "household income". This basically means the income from the people who live in your home and contribute their income to the household expenses. Since you are going to a divorce there may be temporary support judgments in place where your spouse has to pay you weekly or monthly support payments. If that is the case and those support payments will go towards your income, but you do not need to include the income of your spouse, as you live in separate homes. I have responded to your inquiry according to the laws of Massachusetts, where my firm is located. Laws can vary significantly from state to state and cases tend to be rather fact-specific, so you are best served by consulting with a knowledgeable attorney in weighing your options. Email messages/Online Correspondence are akin to conversations and do not reflect the level of analysis applied to formal legal opinions. Email/Online responses do not form an attorney-client relationship.    Joseph F. Botelho, Esq. BOTELHO LAW GROUP Attorneys At Law http://fallriverbankruptcyattorney.com/ 901 Eastern Ave.  Unit 2 Fall River, MA 02723  Office:  888-269-0688 FAX:    877-475-8147... Read More
When filing for either a chapter 7 bankruptcy or a chapter 13 bankruptcy, you need only include "household income". This basically means the income... Read More

Personal bankruptcy Questions.

Answered 12 years ago by attorney Bankruptcy Attorney Mark J Markus   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
If all of your assets are exempt under your state's laws and your only income is social security, then you certainly don't need to file bankruptcy, but there may be benefits to doing so. 1.  Your creditors would stop harassing you 2.  You can rebuild your credit more quickly 3.  You can get assets and not have to worry about them being taken.   See more on whether you need to file a bankruptcy case.  ... Read More
If all of your assets are exempt under your state's laws and your only income is social security, then you certainly don't need to file bankruptcy,... Read More
I think you are confusing the concept of a discharge with removal of a lien. My article on discharge of mortgage debts in bankruptcy may be of assistance to you, but to address your question: The debt to the lender was most likely discharged in your bankruptcy case.  However, if they had a lien against your property on the date your Chapter 7 case was filed, then that lien remains against your property after discharge.    You say they are disputing the discharge of their loan.  How are they doing that?   Have you obtained a title report on your property to see if they have a lien?  It's not clear from your facts whether they ever properly recorded a Deed of Trust giving them a lien against your property, but it would be extremely unusual if they did not.  ... Read More
I think you are confusing the concept of a discharge with removal of a lien. My article on discharge of mortgage debts in bankruptcy may be of... Read More

Can an attorney be counsel in a case for a client and then be party in another case if both cases conspire from each other?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Patrick William Currin (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
The attorney is against you in both cases. There is no conflict.
The attorney is against you in both cases. There is no conflict.

Can an attorney be counsel in a case for a client and then be party in another case if both cases conspire from each other?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Thomas Edward Gates (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Since you are in a different court and I am assuming a new cause of action, he can represent them.
Since you are in a different court and I am assuming a new cause of action, he can represent them.
The question does not have sufficient information to determine if a conflict might exist. This is not something that can be answered in the abstract. Issues include whether the attorney is a witness and whether he is trying to represent both himself and another party in a case in which his conduct is at issue.... Read More
The question does not have sufficient information to determine if a conflict might exist. This is not something that can be answered in the... Read More

Can an attorney be counsel in a case for a client and then be party in another case if both cases conspire from each other?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Craig B. Friedberg (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
If you mean by "them" that you are suing the apartment complex attorney for violations of the FDCPA, then there is nothing unusual about that scenario presuming the attorney fits under the definition of a "debt collector" under 15 USC 1692a(6).
If you mean by "them" that you are suing the apartment complex attorney for violations of the FDCPA, then there is nothing unusual about that... Read More

If I file Chapter 13 due to house about to be sold at foreclosure sale, can federal taxes be included in the bankruptcy?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Deborah F. Bowinski (Unclaimed Profile)   |   12 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
All your debts must be "included" in a bankruptcy filing. You are required to disclose and list EVERY debt you owe whether you want or must repay. The harder question is whether your federal taxes will be dischargeable, and if they are from recent years the answer will be no. If you are planning to file a chapter 13 case to try to save your home I certainly hope you have hired an experienced lawyer to help you. Chapter 13 cases are complicated and difficult - so much so that many bankruptcy lawyers choose not to do them. If you are serious about trying to prevent a foreclosure you MUST find a lawyer to work with, and it will be much easier to do that BEFORE you file the case on your own rather than after the fact when you realize you are in over your head.... Read More
All your debts must be "included" in a bankruptcy filing. You are required to disclose and list EVERY debt you owe whether you want or must repay. ... Read More
The only person responsible is your father. A power of attorney or other agent is not responsible for the principal's debts unless they sign individually, not as agent.
The only person responsible is your father. A power of attorney or other agent is not responsible for the principal's debts unless they sign... Read More

If I filed bankruptcy by myself, can I still hire an attorney to take over the case?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Eric C. Lewis (Unclaimed Profile)   |   20 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Yes, but it could cost you more than just hiring the attorney in the first place because if the paperwork is not done right, a lot of work and time will have to go into cleaning it up and in bankruptcy, there are some things that simply cannot be "fixed" if not done correctly the first time.... Read More
Yes, but it could cost you more than just hiring the attorney in the first place because if the paperwork is not done right, a lot of work and time... Read More

What can I do about a 20 yr old medical bill that I wasn't aware off?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Mark E. Bredow (Unclaimed Profile)   |   9 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
A Michigan court Judgment is valid for 10 years. A judgment creditor has the right to begin to collect the money before the judgment expires based on the statute of limitations. A creditor may continue collecting on a judgment after the initial judgment's expiration date if the judgment has been renewed. A motion to renew a judgment must be filed before the original judgment expires. A renewal of a judgment extends the judgment for the same period of time as the original judgment. The statute of limitations is tolled (stopped) during the time that the judgment is being paid in installments. In your case, the creditor may have extended their judgment.... Read More
A Michigan court Judgment is valid for 10 years. A judgment creditor has the right to begin to collect the money before the judgment expires based... Read More
Ask them to send you agreement with signature line.
Ask them to send you agreement with signature line.

Do we have to pay?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Stephen Lewis Freeborn (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Absolutely. You were living in their house.
Absolutely. You were living in their house.

Is a debt validation request a good idea for an outstanding credit card bill?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Scott Kemble Wilson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Requesting debt validation or verification will not annoy the collections attorney- it is a right commonly asserted - just part of doing business for a collections attorney.
Requesting debt validation or verification will not annoy the collections attorney- it is a right commonly asserted - just part of doing business for... Read More

Can my wife's bank account be seized or her wages garnished to pay my federal criminal restitution?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by John F. Brennan (Unclaimed Profile)   |   2 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Bankruptcy
Are you on the account? If so probably yes, for at least part of the balance. See an attorney.
Are you on the account? If so probably yes, for at least part of the balance. See an attorney.