Pursuant to section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Office of the United States Bankruptcy Administrator has prepared this information sheet to help you understand some of the possible consequences of filing a bankruptcy petition under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. This information is intended to make you aware of -

(1) the potential consequences of seeking a discharge in bankruptcy, including the effects on credit history;

(2) the effect of receiving a discharge of debts in bankruptcy

(3) the effect of reaffirming a debt; and

(4) your ability to file a petition under a different chapter of the Bankruptcy Code.

Speak to you lawyer if you need further information or explanation, including how the bankruptcy laws relate to your specific case.

Statement of Information (cont')

... may seek to do so on your own. Reaffirming a debt means that you sign and file with the court a legally enforceable document which states that you promise to repay all or a portion of the debt that may otherwise have been discharged in your bankruptcy case. Reaffirmation agreements must generally be filed with the court sixty (60) days after the first meeting of creditors.

Reaffirmation agreements are strictly voluntary. They are not required by the Bankruptcy Code or other state or federal law. You can voluntarily repay any debt instead of signing a reaffirmation agreement, but there may be valid reasons for wanting to reaffirm a particular debt. This is particularly true when property that you wish to retain is collateral for a debt.

Reaffirmation agreements must not impose an undue burden on you or your dependents and must be in your best interest. If you decide to sign a reaffirmation agreement, you may cancel it at any time before the court issues an order of discharge or within sixty (60) days after you filed the reaffirmation agreement with the court, whichever is later.

If you reaffirm a debt and fail to make the payments as required in the reaffirmation agreement, the creditor can take action against you to recover any property that was given as security for the loan and you may remain personally liable for any deficiency. In addition, creditors may seek other remedies, such as garnishment of wages.