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Did The US Supreme Court Just End Your Ability To Wipe Out Your Second Mortgage In Bankruptcy?

No, but there are conditions that must be carefully met that we understand thanks to our long, successful bankruptcy pracice.Please contact us for more information. We can help!

Did The US Supreme Court Just End Your Ability To Wipe Out Your Second Mortgage In Bankruptcy?

By James MaGee, Washington Bankruptcy Attorney

Fortunately for consumers, No. What the Supreme Court did in its ruling announced on June first, 2015 was to clarify that you can wipe out your second mortgage by filing a chapter 13 bankruptcy case on your primary home, or the “20 part” of your 80/20 mortgage, or your Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). You cannot file a Chapter 7 case to get rid of any of the debts mentioned above. The case that the Supreme Court ruled on, Bank of America v. Caulkett, was a Chapter 7 filing.

Photo courtesy of dbking. See more of David's work at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/
Photo of the U.S. Supreme Court building courtesy of dbking.
See more of David's work at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/

Q: When can you wipe out a second mortgage?

A: If the amount that you owe on the first mortgage is greater than the market value of the house, then you can file a Chapter 13 house and “strip off” the second mortgage. In fact, if you owe large balances in delinquent property taxes and you are delinquent on your first mortgage, you can use these delinquencies in combination to “boost” your chances of wiping out a second mortgage in a Chapter 13 case.

Q: Could you give us an example of a situation where a lien strip might be allowed in a Chapter 13 case?

A: What follows is an example that illustrates how delinquent Homeowners’ Association dues and delinquent property taxes “boost” your chances to succeed in a Chapter 13 lien strip of your second mortgage that wipes out the second mortgage forever:

Jack and Diane owe $12,000 in delinquent property taxes. They also have a mortgage that is 12 months behind on payments of $2,100 monthly, of which $2,000 monthly is interest and $100 is principal paid on the loan. They also owe $3,000 in delinquent Homeowners’ Association dues. The principal balance of the mortgage is $190,000, the second mortgage home equity line of credit is $40,000, and the appraised value of the house is $210,000.

Total debt superior to the second mortgage: $229,000
- $3,000 HOA dues
- $12,000 Delinquent Property Taxes
- $24,000 Delinquent Interest
- $190,000 first Mortgage Principal Balance

As we said, the value of the home according to a certified appraiser is $210,000. However, the tax assessed value according to the county is $240,000. After considering the facts, the judge in Jack and Diane’s chapter 13 bankruptcy case allowed the stripping and non-payment of the second mortgage balance of $40,000 because the appraised value of the home is less than the debts owed against the home that are superior to the second mortgage. The judge correctly found that it is irrelevant that the county tax assessed value of the home is $240,000. In such a case, the judge will say “So what?” that the county thinks the house is worth $240,000. What matters for a lien strip is the opinion of the certified appraiser hired by the Chapter 13 debtor about the value of the home.

Q: Can the second mortgage lender whose debt will be cancelled fight back in court against the Chapter 13 termination of the second mortgage debt?

A: You bet! Once the appraiser renders their professional opinion against the position of the second mortgage holder, then the second mortgage holder usually settles quickly or gives up. Sometimes a credit union lender will try to run the clock out a bit and frustrate you, but in the end they usually settle as well. Most of the big commercial lenders use better sense than a credit union and reach a settlement or give in.

Q: Can I file a Chapter 13 to get rid of my second mortgage even if I have recently had a Chapter 7 case?

A: For now, yes. Most of our local judges have ruled that back to back cases--a chapter 13 following a recently filed Chapter 7--are permissible. This might change, though. We will have to see what the future brings in these cases.

Q: Let’s say that I file a Chapter 13 case to get rid of my second mortgage now. Suppose that in 18 months after filing, the value of my home increases, can my efforts to wipe out my second mortgage be reversed by the judge at the request of the second mortgage lender?

A: No.

Q: In Chapter 13 I have to repay 100% of my debts, right?

A: No. Some people who file chapter 13 bankruptcy pay back one percent or even less of their credit cards, car repossession balance, and medical bills in their chapter 13 case. The remaining unpaid balance is discharged forever in chapter 13.

Q: Will my monthly payments in a 36 - 60 month Chapter 13 plan be large, and force me to pay back a big percentage of my debt?

A: Probably not. I have some clients who pay as little as $155 each month for 36 months to wipe out $40-50,000+ in second mortgage debt.

Q: I already just recently completed a Chapter 13. Am I excluded from filing a new Chapter 13 to get rid of my second mortgage?

A: No.

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I have compiled a record of service to my clients that is based upon my determination to be of help to them long after their case is over. Most of the articles on my site and the newsletters I’ve authored contain financial planning advice, including those linked above. The newsletter archive is posted on my site in case you would like to review previous editions at a later time. I am both proud and humbled by the comments my clients say in person and the reviews they’ve freely left about my staff and I on the web. I am committed to helping my clients resume their lives on a solid footing—all the way back after bankruptcy.

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One of the services that we recently introduced is an annual financial plan review for clients who have completed their bankruptcy case. The program is an opportunity for you to schedule an in-person appointment to go over your individual financial circumstances, post-bankruptcy.  We want to help you avoid pitfalls, and to make your life after bankruptcy the best it can be.

Make your appointment by calling us at (253) 383-1001, or by contacting us through our website, and keep the positive energy and momentum going in your life after bankruptcy.
 

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If All This Seems Confusing or Too Complicated,
Please Call Us for Help

Tax problems or long neglected debts can be complex and overwhelming. I may be able to help you understand your situation; I can certainly help you by discussing certain trade-offs and options concerning your situation with your debts, the IRS, and bankruptcy. Contact my office for a free, no obligation consultation right away!

Our site contains many useful articles and resources to help you consider how best to address financial issues that may be troubling you: Our site contains a powerful search capability that you can access in the right hand column of the pages listed above that will help you access more than 220 articles Mr. MaGee has authored over the years. We thank you for your interest in our services.

Very truly yours,

James H. MaGee, Washington Bankruptcy Attorney
1108 North 6th Street
Tacoma, WA 98403
253-383-1001
staff1@washingtonbankruptcy.com.

You or someone you know may want to turn over a new leaf, and get started towards a brighter financial future now. Call us at (253) 383-1001, or contact us through our web site at washingtonbankruptcy.com/contact-us in order to schedule a free, no obligation, personal consultation with me. During our meeting, I will listen to your situation, examine your options with you, and explain how and why bankruptcy may be the right choice for you. Don’t wait; stop procrastinating! Act now to regain your peace of mind right away.
 

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