If I file bankruptcy, can I keep my cars and motorcycles?
Most likely, yes. The answer depends on the equity you have in your vehicles and the type of bankruptcy case you pursue.
Let’s start with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This is a liquidation bankruptcy in which the bankruptcy trustee sells your property to pay your creditors. Fortunately, the trustee has little interest in operating a used car business or conducting a yard sale with your personal possessions. The trustee is mainly interested in high-value property that can be quickly sold and used to pay creditors. Unless you own luxury vehicles or other expensive motorized toys, your vehicles should in most cases be safe from the trustee. The reason is simple: Georgia state law contains exemptions that protect many assets from liquidation by the trustee.
Georgia Code Section 44-13-100 allows debtors in bankruptcy to keep up to $5,000 in personal property (including motor vehicles). Add to this amount Georgia’s $1,200 “wildcard” exemption of plus any unused homestead exemption amount up to $10,000. In the case of a joint bankruptcy filing with your spouse, these exemption amounts will be roughly doubled. Unless the value of your motor vehicle(s) significantly exceeds the exemptions, there is a chance — given proper pre-filing planning — that you will be able to keep them all in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
If you are still paying loans for any of your vehicles, you will need to reaffirm those loans and continue making regular payments after your case is concluded.
In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the debtor can keep both exempt and non-exempt property. However, instead of having the bankruptcy trustee sell off the non-exempt property, the debtor must pay to unsecured creditors an amount equal to the value of the non-exempt property as part of the Chapter 13 payment plan.
For example, if you have $12,000 equity in a motor vehicle and you dedicate the full $5,000 personal property exemption to that vehicle, then there will be $7,000 of non-exempt value that must be paid to unsecured creditors as part of your Chapter 13 payment plan.
In the case of multiple vehicles on which you are still making payments, the trustee (and possibly your unsecured creditors) may object to a Chapter 13 plan that calls for continued monthly payments for those vehicles. You will have to prove that it is reasonable to continue paying for each vehicle. If your spouse does not work outside the home, the trustee may find that it is unreasonable to keep paying for more than one motor vehicle. Payments for a second, luxury vehicle will attract scrutiny. Similarly, the trustee may find that monthly payments for recreational vehicles, boats and motorcycles are also unreasonable. Unless they can be protected with an exemption, those assets may have to be sold, with any available proceeds distributed to unsecured creditors.
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
- Are alimony debt and payments dischargeable in bankruptcy?
- Are my student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy?
- Are tax liens dischargeable in bankruptcy?
- Can a Chapter 7 bankruptcy save my home from foreclosure?
- Can a creditor repossess my car without informing me?
- Can bankruptcy help my credit score?
- Can bankruptcy help with my income tax obligation?
- Can bankruptcy protect my workers compensation settlement funds?
- Can I discharge my old tax debt in bankruptcy?
- Can I file for social security disability while I’m still working?
- Can I keep my cellphone after I declare bankruptcy?
- Can I receive workers compensation benefits if I was injured before or after clocking out?
- Can my re-enlistment bonus be discharged in bankruptcy?
- Can student loan debt be discharged through bankruptcy?
- Can the bankruptcy trustee in my case seize the funds in my bank account?
- Chapter 13 Basics
- Chapter 7 Basics
- Does bankruptcy put people at risk for deportation?
- Get help filing your income tax returns for free!
- How can business owners avoid personal bankruptcy?
- How can I stop debt collectors from harassing me and my family?
- How do I decide if bankruptcy is necessary?
- How do I know if bankruptcy is the right choice for me?
- How does the foreclosure process work in Georgia?
- How long does a bankruptcy case take?
- How long must I live in this area before I can file bankruptcy here?
- I cosigned a debt for a friend and now he won’t pay. What can I do?
- I was fired after being hurt on the job. Can I still file for workers compensation?
- I was injured at work. Can I sue my employer?
- I was terminated from my job after a work injury. Now my condition has worsened. What are my options?
- I’m considering filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Do I have to include all my debts?
- I’m starting to think I may have to file for bankruptcy. Where do I start?
- If I file bankruptcy, can I keep my cars and motorcycles?
- If My Spouse Files for Bankruptcy, Do I Need to as Well?
- Is bankruptcy better than refinancing a mortgage to pay off debt?
- Is child support arrears dischargeable in bankruptcy?
- Is there a minimum amount of debt needed to file for bankruptcy?
- Mortgage and debt relief for active military personnel
- My car has been repossessed. Can bankruptcy help me get it back?
- My Chapter 13 case was dismissed. Can I file a new case and protect my property?
- My doctor released me to light duty, but my employer is insisting I do more strenuous work. What should I do?
- My ex assumed our joint debts as part of our divorce settlement. Now he’s filed bankruptcy. What can I do?
- My house is being foreclosed – What can I do?
- My workers comp doctor has released me to light duty work. Can my employer cut off my weekly benefits?
- My workers compensation doctor says I can return to work, but I can’t do the job. What can I do?
- Ripped off by a debt settlement company?
- Social security benefits — Can a creditor garnish my bank account and seize my social security funds?
- The Trustee Has Filed a Motion to Dismiss My Chapter 13 Case. What Are My Options?
- What are the consequences of filing for bankruptcy in Georgia?
- What are the most common reasons for filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
- What can I do to improve my credit score?
- What happens to your debt after you die? Will my family have to pay my debts?
- What happens when I owe more than my car is worth?
- What is the means test in a Georgia Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
- What property is exempt in a Georgia bankruptcy?
- What should I do if a creditor demands payment after I’ve filed my case?
- What to expect: First credit counseling course
- What to expect: free bankruptcy consultation
- What to expect: Second credit counseling course
- What to expect: Your next appointment
- When is my bankruptcy case closed by the court? Is it possible to reopen the case?
- Where would my bankruptcy case be filed, and where would the hearings be held?
- Will filing for bankruptcy discharge child support or spousal support obligations?
- Will filing for bankruptcy stop wage garnishments?
- Will I have to sell my primary home, rental property or vacation home if I file for bankruptcy?
- Will paying offan old debt raise my credit score?