Florida Chapter 12

Definitions and Legal Terminology Used by Florida Bankruptcy Lawyers, Courts and Trustees

Preparation is the key for success when filing bankruptcy in Florida. The best bankruptcy cases go unnoticed as debtors glide through the system without attracting attention to receive a full discharges in record time. Luck is not involved. Planning began months before filing.

The most successful filers know something that you don’t. Small lifestyle changes may alter means test income and expenses before filing. Well-planned strategic changes will have a dramatic effect on the results of the means test. With a few weeks or months to plan, creating $300 improvement on the bankruptcy means test calculation will save $18,000 in wasted Chapter 13 payments. Just as easily, many people avoid Chapter 13 altogether and may file Chapter 7 when understanding the test procedure. Timing is critical.

A unique provisions of the Code limited in application to family farmers. To be a qualified family farmer, the majority of income earned must be earned from farm operations. As a rural business operation, the homestead exemption is also available according to general Florida bankruptcy laws.

11 U.S.C. Sec. 1203: Rights and powers of debtor. Subject to such limitations as the court may prescribe, a debtor in possession shall have all the rights, other than the right to compensation under section 330, and powers, and shall perform all the functions and duties, except the duties specified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 1106(a), of a trustee serving in a case under chapter 11, including operating the debtor's farm

The Florida Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District issued Administrative Order No. 04-6 on March 31, 2004. This order pertains to proposed amendments to local rules. In particular, this order requires an en banc hearing (all judges present) to consider public comments. anyone who wishes to have personal comments considered by the court must submit proposals in writing. Anyone wishing to address the court must file a request for appearance. The Florida Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District amended Local Rule 5005-1 on September 15, 2003. This amendment states The Court shall permit documents and papers to be filed, signed, or verified by electronic means that are consistent with technical standards, if any, that the Judicial Conference of the United States establishes. Soon, all courts will require electronic submission.

Back to Florida Bankruptcy words and phrases.