If you are behind on your vehicle payment or just struggling to make the payment, a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Alabama may be able to help. First, in almost all circumstances a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy can stop a repossession by handling the payments you are behind. In fact, the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy plan will take care of the entire balance on the vehicle. This normally results in a reduced payment by spreading the balance back out over the 60 month period of the plan and by reducing the interest rate to 5.25%.
A Chapter 13 may possibly help you even further. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy you can, under certain circumstances, do what is called a cramdown. If you meet the criteria for a cramdown, you are allowed to only pay back the current fair market value of the vehicle, not the total amount owed.
For example, let’s assume you bought a car 2 ½ years ago, financed $25,000.00 and because your credit was not the best, you have a 12% interest rate. Your payments would be about $556.00 per month. You would still owe $14,352.00. Let’s say, per the NADA Used Car Guide you, the vehicle is now worth $8,000.00. By putting the vehicle in your Chapter 13 plan you could (1) extend the loan to 5 years, (2) reduce your interest rate tremendously, (3) reduce the balance owed on the vehicle to $8,000.00. This would in effect reduce your car payment to $152.00 (less than 1/3 the previous payment).
So, what’s the catch? First, you must have had your car loan for at least 910 days, basically 2 ½ years in order to qualify for a cramdown. If you have not had your car for 910 days, you can still lower the interest rate, but not the secured principal. Second, by extending the loan through the length of the plan, you may not be able to obtain the title on the vehicle until the end of the 5 year plan. Third, to maintain the benefit of the cramdown, you normally must complete your Chapter 13 plan. If your case is dismissed or you convert to a Chapter 7, some issues may arise. Fourth, your car must be worth less than the amount owed. If your car is worth the amount owed or more, then there is nothing to cramdown; however, you may still be able to lower the interest rate on the remaining amount owed on the loan and lower your monthly payment.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be able to fix many of your cash flow problems. Please educate yourself and do not let yourself continue to struggle for no reason. Take the first step by calling my office or contacting me through this website and making an appointment to see me at my Hartselle office.
A Chapter 13 may possibly help you even further. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy you can, under certain circumstances, do what is called a cramdown. If you meet the criteria for a cramdown, you are allowed to only pay back the current fair market value of the vehicle, not the total amount owed.
For example, let’s assume you bought a car 2 ½ years ago, financed $25,000.00 and because your credit was not the best, you have a 12% interest rate. Your payments would be about $556.00 per month. You would still owe $14,352.00. Let’s say, per the NADA Used Car Guide you, the vehicle is now worth $8,000.00. By putting the vehicle in your Chapter 13 plan you could (1) extend the loan to 5 years, (2) reduce your interest rate tremendously, (3) reduce the balance owed on the vehicle to $8,000.00. This would in effect reduce your car payment to $152.00 (less than 1/3 the previous payment).
So, what’s the catch? First, you must have had your car loan for at least 910 days, basically 2 ½ years in order to qualify for a cramdown. If you have not had your car for 910 days, you can still lower the interest rate, but not the secured principal. Second, by extending the loan through the length of the plan, you may not be able to obtain the title on the vehicle until the end of the 5 year plan. Third, to maintain the benefit of the cramdown, you normally must complete your Chapter 13 plan. If your case is dismissed or you convert to a Chapter 7, some issues may arise. Fourth, your car must be worth less than the amount owed. If your car is worth the amount owed or more, then there is nothing to cramdown; however, you may still be able to lower the interest rate on the remaining amount owed on the loan and lower your monthly payment.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be able to fix many of your cash flow problems. Please educate yourself and do not let yourself continue to struggle for no reason. Take the first step by calling my office or contacting me through this website and making an appointment to see me at my Hartselle office.
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