Advice for the Means Test from Jacksonville Bankruptcy Lawyers

Comprehensive Analysis of Bankruptcy Tests for Chapter 7 & 13 Clients

Let us help you take the mystery out of the means test, totality of circumstances test, and best interest of creditors test. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us by calling (904) 574-5499 or sending a message through our online form.

What is the Means Test?

Under the bankruptcy laws that went into effect in October 2005, all debtors are required to file a Means Test Calculation along with their bankruptcy petition, schedules and statements, and other required documents.

Generally, a means test is performed by looking at all of the debtor’s income for six months preceding the date of filing, determining the average monthly income, and multiplying that figure by twelve.

The resulting figure is then compared to the median income in the state of Florida for a household of similar size. If the debtor is over the median income, then further tests are conducted to determine how much, if any, disposable income the debtor has at the end of the month. Often the disposable income must be dedicated over the life of the bankruptcy plan to paying unsecured creditors. This analysis is completed by your attorney.

Understanding the Totality of Circumstances Test

The totality of circumstances test is used by a bankruptcy court to determine if a debtor has engaged in substantial abuse of the bankruptcy process by filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy when he or she actually has sufficient income to repay debts under a Chapter 13 payment schedule. The totality of circumstances test is a flexible standard adopted by Congress and allows judges to consider the facts of each individual case.

What is the Best Interest of Creditors Test?

This test requires the Chapter 13 debtor to make sure that under the Chapter 13 plan, the unsecured creditors receive at least as much under Chapter 13 as they would receive if the case were handled under Chapter 7. This involves completing a liquidation analysis on paper in order to determine what the unsecured creditors would receive under Chapter 7. The Chapter 13 plan must provide at least that much to the unsecured creditors. This analysis should be completed by your bankruptcy attorney.

For more information, call (904) 574-5499 or contact our Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyers online today. We offer free consultations