Maryland Bankruptcy Laws
Filing Bankruptcy in Maryland
If you’re tired of worrying about growing debt and harassing creditor calls, you may be interested in discovering how personal bankruptcy may be able to help you.
On this page, you’ll find the basics about Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy so you can make an informed decision about how to move forward with your finances.
Unsure whether filing bankruptcy is right for you? Talk with a Maryland bankruptcy lawyer to get answers about how the state’s laws could affect you.
Simply fill out the free evaluation on this page or call, toll free, 877-349-1309 and we’ll connect you with a local bankruptcy attorney as soon as possible.
Maryland Bankruptcy Law
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is sometimes called “liquidation,” offers filers a discharge of unsecured debts, like credit card bills and payday loan debt. In order to repay some creditors, a filer’s bankruptcy trustee may sell (liquidate) some of the filer’s possessions.
However, many of your possessions will likely be safe from liquidation: Maryland bankruptcy law outlines several exemptions to protect your essential belongings, including your home, from this sale.
Homestead
- Real or personal property valued at up to $5,000.
Wages
- Typically up to 75 percent of earnings.
Personal Property
- Up to $1,000 of your interest in household furnishings, household goods, clothing, appliances, books, animals kept as pets and other property held primarily for family household use.
- Up to $5,000 for tools and equipment used for business purposes.
- Up to $6,000 for cash or property of any kind.
- 100 percent of the value of professional prescribed health aids.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows filers to catch up on their debts over a 3-5 year period, which may help prevent foreclosure for several years. During this time, filers make regular payments, according to a repayment plan from the court.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy tends to be best for individuals with a steady income.
You may have heard that Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help halt mortgage foreclosure. This is because of the automatic stay, a provision that halts all collection action as soon as a petitioner’s bankruptcy case is filed. Foreclosure is considered a form of collection, so filing for bankruptcy will temporarily halt foreclosure.
Talk to a Maryland Bankruptcy Lawyer Today
Whether you’re interested in learning more about Maryland’s Chapter 7 exemptions, getting an idea of which type of personal bankruptcy would work best for your finances or beginning your own bankruptcy filing, you may want to contact a bankruptcy lawyer.
To get in touch with a Maryland bankruptcy lawyer near you, fill out the free case review on this page or call us toll-free at 877-349-1309.
Make the first move right now and contact us today.
Note: Keep in mind all laws are complex. If you need legal advice or want to fully understand how these laws affect you, please speak with a local attorney.
Laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on your state's bankruptcy laws, speak to a local bankruptcy lawyer.
Read the full text of the Maryland bankruptcy laws.
