Equity.  It is usually your friend.  If you are in bankruptcy, it can be an issue.  Simply put, equity is what you actually “own” in your property.  For instance, if you have a car that is worth $10,000 and you still owe $6,000 on the loan, then you have $4,000 in equity.  Same goes for your house.  So how does this cause problems in bankruptcy?

Equity in Your Car

If you file for bankruptcy any non-exempt equity you have in your car is part of your bankruptcy estate.  This means if you have a car wiht a lot of non-exempt equity you could have to give it up so that it can be sold and the money paid to your creditors.  So what is “non-exempt” equity?

In Arizona there are laws that protect your stuff.  They are called Exemptions.  For example, in Arizona you have a $5,000 exemption for a car.  This means that you can have up to $5,000 in equity in your car that is protected.  So if you have a car that you own outright that is worth $5,000 or less, it is completely protected in your bankruptcy case.

Likewise, if you have a car that is worth $15,000 but you still owe $10,000, you can still keep the car in your bankruptcy because you only have $5,000 in equity – or $5,000 of the car that you actually own.

If you need to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it is vital that we determine how much equity you have in all of your property and what Arizona exemption law applies.  I can help you in evaluating your case and helping you move forward.  My bankruptcy consultations are always free.  I can be reached at (480) 420-4028 or via email at john@skibalaw.com.

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John Skiba, Esq. John Skiba, Esq.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your debt problem and help you put together a game plan to eliminate your debt once and for all. Give us a call at (480) 420-4028

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