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Under the bankruptcy law, debtor has four options for car payment relief:
1. Redemption: If you pay the lienholder the fair market value of the vehicle in a lump sum payment, you can discharge the remaining debt.
2. Voluntary repossession: One way to achieve debt relief is to surrender your car to the lender after you file bankruptcy. This option is available if you are financing or leasing a car. After surrendering the vehicle, the lender can sell it at auction but will not be able to seek from you the difference between the balance of the obligation and the proceeds generated by the auction sale.
3. Reaffirm the debt: Another way to avoid car repossession is to receive a court approved contract that assures you will pay the car loan, despite it being a dischargeable debt. Some lenders are very particular about debt reaffirmation. If you do not reaffirm the debt during bankruptcy, and the underlying financing contract contained a provision that defines bankruptcy as an event of default, the lienholder may repossess the vehicle during or after the bankruptcy case, even if you are current on your payments.
4. File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
a. Your car was just repossessed and you want it back. You need to file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy immediately before they sell your car at the auction. After that you cannot get your car back. Call to determine if you qualify.
b. Catch-up on car payment arrearages through Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. If the car lender is unwilling to restructure you car loan or work out a payment plan to catch up on the arrearages, you can file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to keep your car and force your lender to accept a repayment plan under the Bankruptcy Code. Moreover, the interest rate of the car can be reduced to the prime rate plus a small percentage to account for risk, which is much lower than the current rate received by most debtors. If you had the car for at least 910 days, you might be able to reduce the loan balance to the retail value of the car. However, the gains must be compared to the costs of a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, which can only be further explored through a consultation.
Muoi Chea, a Sacramento bankruptcy lawyer will explain in depth the differences between voluntary car repossession and debt reaffirmation. Muoi Chea will help you decide which of the options best fits your financial needs.
If you defaulted on a car loan, and are worried about losing your vehicle, contact Muoi Chea Bankruptcy Attorney with Bankruptcy Offices in Sacramento, Stockton, and Fairfield, California to provide debt relief throughout Northern an Central California, from Solano County to Stanislaus County Modesto California, and from San Joaquin County to Placer County and Yuba City / Sutter County California.
I am an experienced bankruptcy attorney with Law Offices in Sacramento, Stockton, and Fairfield, California. Having multiple offices allows me to work on over 1,000 diverse bankruptcy cases. Throughout the years, I have a long track record of successfully helping my clients eliminate or restructure their debts under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.