Maryland Bankruptcy Timeline

Bankruptcy Attorney Serving Maryland and D.C.

Although the specific timeline associated with your particular bankruptcy case may vary, following is a general sequence of events for a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Maryland:

Bankruptcy will begin when you file your petition with the Bankruptcy Court.
You will need to include filing fees, a list of creditors and additional information regarding your case.
If filing a Chapter 13 case, your repayment plan will need to accompany your petition or may be filed within 15 days of your initial petition.
Upon filing your case, an "automatic stay" will be placed on all debt collection efforts against you.
30 days after your filing, you will need to file a Statement of Intention regarding your Secured Debt, and your Chapter 13 payment plan will be due.
Approximately 5 to 6 weeks after filing, your 341 Meeting (meeting of creditors) will be held.
Within 30 days of your 341 Meeting, creditors or the bankruptcy trustee may have the right to object a debtor's claim of exempt property. The debtor will have up to 30 days to perform in accordance with his or her Statement of Intention regarding Secured Debt.
Within 60 days of your 341 Meeting, creditors may be able to file objections to discharge. They may object the discharge of certain debts that may not qualify to be eliminated by way of bankruptcy.
After 60 days have elapsed since your 341 Meeting, a Chapter 7 discharge will occur. Your obligation to all eligible debt will be effectively eliminated upon a Chapter 7 discharge.
A discharge for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may occur 3 to 5 years after the initial 341 Meeting, depending on when the debtor has successfully completed his or her payment plan.

Through the bankruptcy process, having a competent attorney at your side can make a significant difference in your ability to successfully file your case and experience relief from overwhelming debt, foreclosure and creditor harassment.

To learn more about your rights and options in regard to your bankruptcy case, contact Maryland bankruptcy lawyer Jillian Aylward today.