Will filing for Bankruptcy affect my job?

Robert Johnson • August 29, 2022

Wil Filing Bankruptcy Affect Your Job?


Bankruptcy is a legal process that helps people or businesses pay debts by selling assets or getting a court-ordered repayment plan. There were 544,463 bankruptcy filings in 2020 alone. Typically, the bankruptcy process starts when a debtor goes to court. The debtor can be a company, a group of people, or an individual.


A bankruptcy case can only be filed at a federal court. The court will audit the liabilities and assets of the accused entity. It will then decide to either declare the entity bankrupt or dismiss the case. If you feel that your loan terms are becoming a financial hindrance, you can file for bankruptcy. Your creditors will have to renegotiate the loan terms and restructure the repayment schedule.


Bankruptcy and Employment Status or Opportunity

Generally, filing for bankruptcy does not have any impact on your job. Nevertheless, it may reduce your chances of getting employment in the private sector.


Public and private employers can't legally terminate your employment contract just because you are facing financial challenges. Similarly, filing for bankruptcy cannot lead to the changing of your employment terms. For example, your employer can't slash your wages or change your responsibilities. Therefore, you can seek legal compensation if your employer terminates your employment just after you file for bankruptcy.


Bankruptcy and Discrimination Laws

The US Bankruptcy Code prohibits any person or entity, including your employer, from discriminating against debtors. This is clarified in the Bankruptcy Code's Section 525. This section states that federal and state authorities can't:

  • Refuse to hire a person because of bankruptcy
  • Fire an employee due to a recent bankruptcy filing
  • Reduce wages or change responsibilities of an employee who filed for bankruptcy.


Unfortunately, the Bankruptcy Code doesn't prevent private employers from failing to hire people based on their bankruptcy status.


Will Your Employer Know About Your Bankruptcy Filing?

Your employer is unlikely to learn about your bankruptcy filing. However, the employer may become aware in some situations, such as:


Wage Garnishment: You may file for bankruptcy after receiving a wage garnishment. Your employer can stop the wage garnishment provided that you notify them of your bankruptcy filing. The good thing is that your employer may suggest ways to improve your financial situation.


Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: While it is difficult for employees to know of your Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, they are likely to know of your Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing. That is because the court may direct that your Chapter 13 payments be deducted from your salary. Your employer essentially will become a collection agency for the bankruptcy court.


You Have a Loan from Your Employer: A bankruptcy filing must disclose all outstanding debts. The court will then send a notice to everyone you owe money. If you have a loan from your employer, they will also receive notification of the bankruptcy filing.


Security Clearance

Many employers won't hire you if you don't have a security clearance. The security clearance is a must-have for people working for federal or state security agencies. Fortunately, you can still get your security clearance even after filing for bankruptcy. In fact, filing for bankruptcy reduces your debt and vulnerability to blackmail.


Government agencies do not look at the bankruptcy status when hiring employees. However, private employers may fail to hire you if they discover your bankruptcy filing. This can happen when the employer conducts a credit check.


Although the employer can't run a credit check without your consent, they may become suspicious if you refuse to give permission. The bankruptcy filing may be seen as a potential problem, especially for an employee who will be handling large sums of money, such as an accountant.


Types of Bankruptcy

The primary purpose of bankruptcy is to settle debt, but bankruptcies have different procedures and regulations. The two types of personal bankruptcies are Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.


Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

During Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court will hire a trustee to liquidate your assets and give the proceeds to your creditors. If the proceeds can't pay all your debt, the court will erase the outstanding debt. Chapter 7 exempts necessities from liquidation, such as retirement accounts, personal vehicles, and houses.


Chapter 7 can postpone a foreclosure but can't stop it. If you want to delay a foreclosure, you must reaffirm your loan terms and promise to resume payments.


You will be eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy debt relief after the court determines that you cannot repay all your loans. Before then, your creditors will meet you in person to examine your debts and general financial situation. Also, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy becomes part of your credit report and will remain there for a decade.


Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy erases debt, but Chapter 13 restructures it. The court will mandate a new repayment plan that will last for three to five years. You must pay all your secured loans and a certain percentage of your unsecured loans during the repayment period.

The monthly payment will be based on your income, loan amount, and expenses. In most cases, the courts will place limitations on your expenditure and prohibit spending on certain services or products. Chapter 7 bankruptcy's main benefits are the preservation of your assets and legal protection from creditors.


Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can halt home foreclosures by extending mortgage repayment periods. However, your Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing will only be valid if you have been paying all your taxes. Also, your credit report will continue to show your Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing for seven years. Finally, you can only file one Chapter 13 bankruptcy every 24 months.


What to Do if You Are Fired After Filing for Bankruptcy?

Despite the bankruptcy laws prohibiting employment discrimination, you can still get fired after filing for bankruptcy. When this happens, you should first know if your employer doesn't have another reason for terminating your employment. Regardless, it is challenging to prove that you were fired because of your mounting debts.


Consequently, you may need to seek the assistance of an employment lawyer and get legal redress. You can contact us for more information.

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Filing for bankruptcy can be a difficult decision, but for many individuals and families facing overwhelming debt, Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers a path to financial relief. At Robert H. Johnson LLC, we help clients in New Jersey navigate the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process, providing guidance and support to help them regain control of their financial futures.  What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Chapter 7 bankruptcy, often referred to as “liquidation bankruptcy,” is designed to eliminate most unsecured debts, such as credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans. Unlike Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which involves creating a repayment plan, Chapter 7 allows you to discharge qualifying debts without having to make ongoing payments to creditors. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a court-appointed trustee may sell certain non-exempt assets to pay off creditors. However, most people who file for Chapter 7 are able to keep the majority of their assets through the use of bankruptcy exemptions. Who Qualifies for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must pass the “means test,” which determines whether your income is low enough to qualify for debt discharge under this chapter. The means test compares your income to the median income in New Jersey for a household of your size. If your income is below the median, you likely qualify for Chapter 7. If your income is above the median, you may still qualify after deducting certain allowable expenses, such as mortgage or rent payments, healthcare costs, and childcare expenses. At Robert H. Johnson LLC, we help our clients determine if they meet the requirements for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and guide them through the process of completing the means test. The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Process Filing the Petition: The process begins by filing a bankruptcy petition with the court. This includes providing detailed information about your assets, debts, income, and expenses. Your attorney will assist you in gathering and organizing the necessary documentation. Automatic Stay: Once you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into effect. This halts collection efforts from creditors, including wage garnishments, lawsuits, and foreclosure proceedings, providing immediate relief. Appointment of a Trustee: A bankruptcy trustee will be appointed to oversee your case. The trustee reviews your assets, debts, and financial situation, and may sell non-exempt assets to pay creditors. However, New Jersey bankruptcy exemptions allow most people to protect essential assets such as their home, vehicle, and personal belongings. Meeting of Creditors: About 30 days after filing, you will attend a “341 meeting,” where creditors and the trustee may ask you questions about your finances and the bankruptcy filing. Your attorney will be by your side to ensure this process goes smoothly. Discharge of Debts: If everything is in order, your qualifying debts will be discharged, typically within four to six months. This means you are no longer legally obligated to repay those debts, giving you a fresh financial start. What Debts Can Be Discharged in Chapter 7? Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate many types of unsecured debt, including: Credit Card Debt Medical Bills Personal Loans Payday Loans Utility Bills However, certain debts cannot be discharged in Chapter 7, including: Child Support and Alimony: These obligations remain in place after bankruptcy. Student Loans: While student loans are generally not dischargeable, there are exceptions for extreme cases of hardship. Recent Tax Debts: Some older tax debts may be discharged, but most recent tax liabilities cannot. Debts from Fraud or Criminal Activity: Debts resulting from fraudulent activity or criminal acts are typically not dischargeable. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions in New Jersey One of the biggest concerns for individuals considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy is whether they will lose their assets. The good news is that New Jersey allows bankruptcy filers to protect certain assets through exemptions, meaning you can often keep essential property such as: Your Home: New Jersey residents can use federal or state homestead exemptions to protect equity in their primary residence. Your Vehicle: You can often keep your car if the equity in the vehicle falls within the allowable exemption limit. Personal Property: Furniture, clothing, and other personal belongings are typically protected. Retirement Accounts: Most retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and IRAs, are exempt from bankruptcy and cannot be seized by creditors. Your attorney will work with you to identify which assets are protected under New Jersey or federal exemptions and ensure that you retain as much of your property as possible. Benefits of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Debt Relief: Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts, giving you the opportunity to rebuild your financial life without the burden of overwhelming debt. Immediate Relief from Creditors: The automatic stay stops all collection efforts, giving you relief from harassing phone calls, wage garnishments, and lawsuits. Quick Process: Compared to other forms of bankruptcy, Chapter 7 is relatively quick, typically taking just four to six months from start to finish. Fresh Start: Once your debts are discharged, you have the chance to start over and rebuild your financial future without the constant pressure of unpaid bills. Why You Need an Experienced Bankruptcy Attorney Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a complex legal process that requires an in-depth understanding of bankruptcy laws and procedures. At Robert H. Johnson LLC, we have extensive experience helping individuals and families in New Jersey navigate Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process, from evaluating your eligibility to protecting your assets and ensuring that you receive the full benefits of a fresh start. If you are overwhelmed by debt and struggling to keep up with payments, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may offer the relief you need. At Robert H. Johnson LLC, we are committed to helping our clients in New Jersey achieve financial freedom through compassionate and effective legal representation. Our experienced attorneys will work with you to explore your options and guide you through the bankruptcy process. Contact Robert H. Johnson LLC today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a brighter financial future.