Greenbelt Past Due Rent Attorney

Lawyer Helping Address Back Rent, Leases, and Evictions in Greenbelt, MD

Falling behind on rent can lead to significant stress for you and your family, especially if you are facing the possibility of eviction. If you have been unable to pay your rent, bankruptcy may provide a way to help address financial difficulties, eliminate other debts, and potentially stay in your home. At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can help you determine what steps you can take to address unpaid rent and receive much-needed relief from mounting financial obligations.

Bankruptcy can temporarily protect you from eviction, eliminate certain debts, and give you a chance to regain control of your finances. However, the rules regarding rent payments, evictions, and lease agreements during bankruptcy cases can be complex, and it is essential to understand your options. Attorney Donald Bell can help you navigate these challenges, ensuring that your rights and interests will be protected every step of the way.

Can Past Due Rent Be Discharged Through Bankruptcy?

If you are facing financial difficulties, you may wonder whether filing for bankruptcy can eliminate the requirement to pay past-due rent. The answer depends on the type of bankruptcy filed and the specific circumstances of your case.

• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: You can discharge past due rent as part of the process of eliminating unsecured debts. If you have fallen behind on rent payments and are unable to catch up, filing for Chapter 7 can help eliminate this obligation. However, while Chapter 7 can discharge the rent you owe up until the date of your bankruptcy filing, it does not give you the right to remain in your rental property if the lease is terminated or if the landlord has already begun eviction proceedings.
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy will create a repayment plan in which you will repay certain debts, and this plan may include past-due rent payments. If you want to stay in your rental property and catch up on missed payments, Chapter 13 may provide a way to repay your landlord over time while continuing to live in the home. This can be an ideal solution if you have a steady income but have fallen behind on rent.

While past-due rent can often be eliminated through bankruptcy, it is important to work with a knowledgeable attorney to assess your situation and determine the best approach for your needs. At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can help you develop an effective strategy that will ensure that you can resolve concerns related to past-due rent and other financial issues.

Can I Stay in My Home When Filing for Bankruptcy?

If you are considering bankruptcy, you may be concerned about whether you will be evicted from your home and forced to find new living arrangements. Whether you will be able to avoid an eviction will depend on the timing of the bankruptcy filing and any legal actions taken by your landlord, including eviction cases that have already been initiated.

When you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into effect. This is a legal order that stops most collection actions, including eviction proceedings. If your landlord has not yet obtained a court-ordered eviction judgment, they will be prevented from moving forward with the eviction process while the stay is in effect. This can give you additional time to either catch up on rent or make arrangements to leave the property. However, your landlord may ask for the stay to be lifted so that they can proceed with an eviction.

If your landlord has already obtained an eviction judgment before you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay may not apply. If you can pay one month of rent when filing for bankruptcy, a stay may be put in place for 30 days, during which you can take steps to pay the past-due rent or find new living arrangements.

Our attorney can review your case and determine how bankruptcy laws can help you stay in your home or make other arrangements to protect your financial interests.

Can Bankruptcy Allow Me to Break My Lease?

Bankruptcy can provide an opportunity to break a lease without incurring further financial penalties. When you file for bankruptcy, you have the option to reject a lease if you no longer wish to be bound by the rental agreement. This can be particularly helpful if you can no longer afford the rent payments and are planning to move to a new home.

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can reject a lease and discharge any remaining rent obligations as part of your bankruptcy case. This allows you to walk away from the lease without facing additional financial liability for future rent payments. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may also reject a lease, and any past-due rent will be included in your repayment plan. However, the lease rejection must be done formally as part of the bankruptcy process. Our attorney can guide you through the steps necessary to reject a lease and ensure that the terms of the lease termination are properly handled.

Can I Maintain My Lease After Eliminating Other Debts Through Bankruptcy?

One of the key benefits of bankruptcy is that it allows you to eliminate or restructure debts while keeping essential assets or contracts, including rental agreements. If you want to keep your lease and stay in your rental property, bankruptcy may provide the financial relief you need to do so.

By eliminating other unsecured debts, such as credit card balances, medical bills, or personal loans, you may be able to free up enough income to stay current on rent payments and maintain your lease. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, past due rent can be included in your repayment plan, allowing you to catch up on missed payments over time while staying in your home.

At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we help clients in Greenbelt explore how bankruptcy can help them stay in their homes, reject leases, or address eviction concerns while eliminating other debts that are causing financial strain.

Contact Our Greenbelt, Maryland Bankruptcy Lawyer for Help With Rent Issues

If you are struggling with past due rent and facing the threat of eviction, bankruptcy may provide the relief you need to protect your home and resolve your financial difficulties. At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can help you address rent payments and other debts through bankruptcy. Contact us at 301-614-0535 to arrange a free consultation and begin taking steps to secure a fresh financial start.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.