| Creditor Claims |
| A "claim" is a right to payment, whether or not such right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured. A "claim" may also be the right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if the breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured, or unsecured. A "debt" is a liability on a claim. More... |
| Alimony and Support Claims |
| Filing for bankruptcy does not suspend or stop the obligation to pay child support or alimony. Whether an obligation imposed by a divorce decree is dischargeable depends on whether it is characterized as support or as a property settlement. In many instances, obligations for property settlement can be discharged in bankruptcy, while obligations for child support and alimony cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Bankruptcy law, not state law, determines whether an obligation is a support obligation or a property settlement obligation.More... |
| Chapter 7 Creditor Committees |
| The Bankruptcy Code authorizes creditors to elect a committee to perform certain functions in the administration of a liquidation case. The general unsecured creditors have the option of electing a committee. This committee is to consult with the trustee or the United States Trustee and make recommendations to the trustee regarding the administration of the estate and the performance of the trustee's duties. A creditors' committee under this section is limited to not more than 11 members or fewer than three. More... |
| Setoffs in Bankruptcy |
| Setoff is an equitable right of a creditor to deduct a debt it owes to the debtor from a claim it has against the debtor arising out of a separate transaction. The Bankruptcy Code is not an independent source of law that authorizes a setoff; it recognizes and preserves rights that exist under non-bankruptcy law.More... |
| Adversary Proceedings |
| Under Bankruptcy Rules, an adversary proceeding may be filed in a debtor's bankruptcy action for certain specific reasons. Creditors may initiate adversary proceedings to determine the validity or priority of a lien, to determine the validity of a debt, to obtain an injunction, or to subordinate a claim of another creditor.More... |

