Law Office of Matthew D. O'Conner | FAQ: What are the Different Types of Bankruptcy "Chapters"?/title>  <style type="text/css">  </style> <style type="text/css">  </style>  <style type="text/css">  </style> <meta name="description" content="What are the Different Types of Bankruptcy Chapters? Mr. O'Conner is a Seattle Attorney Providing Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Home Foreclosure Relief Since 1998." /> <meta name="keywords" content="Foreclosure Short Sale FAQs Foreclose Seattle Bankruptcy bancruptcy bankrupcy Attorney Chapter 7 Debt Relief Lawyer" />  </head> <body> <table width="200" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td colspan="3"><img src="/Images/downtown_skyline_4.jpg" alt="downtown seattle skyline" width="1004" height="309" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="20" colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#808080"><div align="center"> <table width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="5" bgcolor="#AA7F55"> <tr class="style38"> <td width="21%" bgcolor="#D6C6A7"><div align="center" class="style38"><a href="/index.htm" class="style38">Home</a></div></td> <td width="20%" bgcolor="#D6C6A7"><div align="center" class="style38"><a href="/practice-areas-all-seattle-probate-tax-construction-mechanics-lien-foreclosure-bankruptcy-real-estate-deed-wills-trust-llc-corporation-formation-startup-business-attorney-lawyer-shoreline-king-county.html" class="style38">Practice Areas</a></div></td> <td width="20%" bgcolor="#D6C6A7"><div align="center" class="style38"><a href="/about.html">About Us</a></div></td> <td width="19%" bgcolor="#D6C6A7"><div align="center" class="style38"><a href="/contact.html">Contact Us</a></div></td> <td width="20%" bgcolor="#D6C6A7"><div align="center" class="style38"><a href="faqs-seattle-legal-aid-resources-probate-bankruptcy-tax-small-business-llc-construction-attorney-lawyer-law-firm.html">Resources & FAQs</a></div></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center" class="style25"></div> <div align="center" class="style25"></div> <div align="center" class="style25"></div> <div align="center"></div></td> </tr> <tr class="style25"> <td width="197" rowspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#9DB0BC" class="style25 style35"><p class="style57"><a href="/practice-areas-all-seattle-probate-tax-construction-mechanics-lien-foreclosure-bankruptcy-real-estate-deed-wills-trust-llc-corporation-formation-startup-business-attorney-lawyer-shoreline-king-county.html" class="style71">Practice Areas</a></p> <p class="style39"> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-probate-lawyer-shoreline-attorney-estate-administration-will-executor-personal-representative-death-king-county-washington.html">Probate</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-will-trust-attorney-king-county-lawyer-create-estate-plan-shoreline.html">Wills, Trusts & Estates</a> <br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-chapter-7-bankruptcy-seven-attorney-credit-card-debt-relief-collection-help-13-repossession-lawyer-king-county-shoreline-ballard.html">Bankruptcy, Chapter 7</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-bankruptcy-how-to-stop-home-foreclosure-attorney-chapter-13-lawyer-king-county-shoreline-debt-relief.html">Bankruptcy, Chapter 13</a> <br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-irs-tax-levy-attorney-irs-lien-lawyer-help-king-county.html">IRS Tax Relief</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-business-startup-attorney-llc-formation-lawyer-corporation-creation-purchase-partnership-king-county-law-firm.html">Business Formation</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-corporate-contract-review-formation-attorney-law-firm-king-county-lawyer-shoreline.html">Corporate Contracts</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-commercial-litigation-attorney-business-lawsuit-lawyer-sue-king-county-shoreline-law-firm.html">Commercial Litigation</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-real-estate-transfer-commercial-lease-property-leasing-excise-tax-quit-claim-deed-statutory-warranty-attorney-lawyer-king-county-shoreline-title.html">Real Estate Transfer & Leases</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-construction-contract-general-sub-contractor-lien-subrogation-insurance-review-residential-seattle-commercial-building-code.html">Construction Transactions</a><br /> • <a href="/practice-areas-seattle-construction-and-mechanics-lien-foreclosure-attorney.html">Construction & Mechanic's Lien Foreclosure</a></p> <p align="left" class="style57"><a href="/disclaimer-page.html" class="style70">Disclaimer</a></p> </td> <td width="612" rowspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" id="td_Editable_Region"> <h1 align="center" class="style61">What are the Different Types of Bankruptcy "Chapters"?</h1> <p class="style60"> <strong>* Chapter 7 - "straight" bankruptcy</strong>. Eliminates most unsecured debt as well as the balance on any secured debt which you surrender or return to the creditor. Debts for any secured property which you wish to keep, such as your home or vehicle, must be current at the time of filing and you must continue to make those payments or make arrangements to repay them. Under a Chapter 7, most unsecured debts are discharged - they're gone (although you usually cannot be discharged from student loans or child support). Our law firm thinks that a Chapter 7 filing is a better fit for most people. It's over quicker and gets you back to good credit much sooner. </p> <p class="style60"> <strong>* Chapter 11 - "reorganization"</strong> for businesses and certain debtors whose debts are extremely large.</p> <p class="style62"> * Chapter 12 - bankruptcy for farmers.</p> <p class="style60"> <strong>* Chapter 13 - "debt consolidation / adjustment."</strong> A repayment plan, through the Bankruptcy Court, allowing you to pay your creditors, to the best of your ability, based on your income and monthly expenses. A Chapter 13 often enables you to keep your home or vehicle if you are behind in your payments. Chapter 13 is good to stop the foreclosure on your house and give you time to catch up. (<a href="/practice-areas-seattle-bankruptcy-how-to-stop-home-foreclosure-attorney-chapter-13-lawyer-king-county-shoreline-debt-relief.html">More about foreclosures</a>). </p> <p align="center" class="style60">____________________________________</p> <p class="style60">The Law Office of Matthew D. O'Conner is dedicated to helping clients file bankruptcy while retaining their dignity and pride. We provide assistance, legal counsel and advice and will be able to answer your bankruptcy-related questions and help you file a Washington bankruptcy. </p> <p class="style60">Contact us today at (206) 782-0722 for a free consultation - it's entirely confidential.<br /> <br /> </p> <p align="center" class="style60"><a href="faqs-seattle-legal-aid-resources-probate-bankruptcy-tax-small-business-llc-construction-attorney-lawyer-law-firm.html" class="style77">More Bankruptcy FAQs</a></p> <p align="center" class="style60"><a href="bankruptcy-blog.html">mdoLaw Bankruptcy Blog</a></p> <p align="center" class="style60">____________________________________</p> <p align="left" class="style60">We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.</p> <p align="left" class="style40">This web site is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.</p> <p align="left" class="style40">The information contained on this web site is in no way intended as a substitute for legal counsel, and your receipt of the information does not give rise to a lawyer-client relationship between Matthew D. O'Conner and you. The ramifications of the law for any particular situation depend on a variety of factors, so you should seek professional legal counsel before acting upon any information contained on this web site.</p>  <blockquote class="style29"><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> <p align="left"><br /> </p></td> <td width="191" height="150" valign="top" bgcolor="#9DB0BC" class="style25 style35"><p class="style57"><a href="/contact.html" class="style71">Office Location</a></p> <p class="style37">8011 Greenwood Ave. N.<br /> Seattle, WA 98103</p> <p class="style37">P: 206.782.0722<br /> F: 206.783.0233<br /> E: info@mdoLaw.com </p> </td> </tr> <tr class="style25"> <td width="191" valign="top" bgcolor="#9DB0BC" class="style25 style35"> <p align="left" class="style57"><span class="style71"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html">mdoLaw 2010 Bankruptcy Blog</a></span></p> <p align="left" class="style40"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html#june1">Mortgage servicers can no longer deny HAMP loan modifications based on your being in a bankruptcy. 06/01 </a></p> <p align="left" class="style40"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html#may22">Will filing Bankruptcy ruin my credit record? 05/22 </a></p> <p align="left" class="style40"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html#may4">How long will a Foreclosure affect my ability to get a home loan? 05/04 </a></p> <p align="left" class="style40"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html#april21">What is the difference between a Mortgage Trustee and a Bankruptcy Trustee? 04/21 </a></p> <p align="left" class="style40"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html#april16">How long does it take to file Bankruptcy? 04/16</a></a></p> <p align="left" class="style40"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog.html#april12">Is it better to Short Sale my house or to file Bankruptcy? 04/12</a></p> <p align="left" class="style57"><span class="style71"><a href="/bankruptcy-blog-index.html">Prior Bankruptcy Blog Postings</a></span></p> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" bordercolor="#2A0000" bgcolor="#CDCDCD"><div align="center" class="style32"><span class="style32">The Law Office of Matthew D. O'Conner represents clients in Seattle, Shoreline, Ballard, Greenwood, Mountlake Terrace, <br /> Edmonds, Phinney Ridge, Renton, Woodinville, Kent, King County, Snohomish County and tax clients throughout <a href="reviews-where-to-eat-in-washington-state-fine-dining.html">Washington State</a>.</span><br /> <br /> We are a debt relief agency. In addition to other practice areas, we help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.<br /> <br /> Copyright © 2010 Law Office of Matthew D. <a href="did-you-mean-oconner.html">O'Conner</a>. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.</div></td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>