Changes in § 524. Effect
of discharge
Failure to Credit Payments
The willful failure of a creditor to credit payments received is
made a violation subsection (a)(2), but
only if it results in material injury to the debtor, and only if a
plan is not dismissed, is not in default, and the creditor has
received payments in accordance with a plan. §524(i)
Mortgage Excluded from Injunction
Subsection (a)(2) is not effective
collection against actions of creditors holding security interest in
real property that is a debtor's principal residence. §524(j)
Additional Reaffirmation Requirements
Disclosure required for reaffirmation agreements, §524(c),
are expanded to include "Amount Reaffirmed," "Annual
Percentage Rate," security, repayment schedule in addition to
other requirements. §524(k)
Text appearing below in blue is the same in
H.R.333 and S.420. Text
in maroon is only in H.R.333. Text in
green is only in S.420. |
§ 524. Effect of discharge
(a) A discharge in a case under this title--
(1) voids any judgment at any time obtained, to the extent that such
judgment is a determination of the personal liability of the debtor with
respect to any debt discharged under section 727,
944, 1141,
1228, or 1328
of this title, whether or not discharge of such debt is waived;
(2) operates as an injunction against the commencement or
continuation of an action, the employment of process, or an act, to
collect, recover or offset any such debt as a personal liability of the
debtor, whether or not discharge of such debt is waived; and
(3) operates as an injunction against the commencement or
continuation of an action, the employment of process, or an act, to
collect or recover from, or offset against, property of the debtor of
the kind specified in section 541(a)(2)
of this title that is acquired after the commencement of the case, on
account of any allowable community claim, except a community claim that
is excepted from discharge under section 523,
1228(a)(1), or 1328(a)(1), or that would be so excepted,
determined in accordance with the provisions of sections 523(c)
and 523(d)
of this title, in a case concerning the debtor's spouse commenced on the
date of the filing of the petition in the case concerning the debtor,
whether or not discharge of the debt based on such community claim is
waived.
(b) Subsection (a)(3) of this section does not apply if--
(1)
(A) the debtor's spouse is a debtor in a case under this title, or
a bankrupt or a debtor in a case under the Bankruptcy Act, commenced
within six years of the date of the filing of the petition in the case
concerning the debtor; and
(B) the court does not grant the debtor's spouse a discharge in
such case concerning the debtor's spouse; or
(2)
(A) the court would not grant the debtor's spouse a discharge in a
case under chapter 7 of this title concerning such spouse commenced on
the date of the filing of the petition in the case concerning the
debtor; and
(B) a determination that the court would not so grant such
discharge is made by the bankruptcy court within the time and in the
manner provided for a determination under section 727
of this title of whether a debtor is granted a discharge.
(c) An agreement between a holder of a claim and the debtor, the
consideration for which, in whole or in part, is based on a debt that is
dischargeable in a case under this title is enforceable only to any extent
enforceable under applicable nonbankruptcy law, whether or not discharge
of such debt is waived, only if--
(1) such agreement was made before the granting of the discharge
under section 727,
1141,
1228, or 1328
of this title;
(2) the debtor received the disclosures
described in subsection (k) at or before the time at which the debtor
signed the agreement;
(3) such agreement has been filed with the court and, if applicable,
accompanied by a declaration or an affidavit of the attorney that
represented the debtor during the course of negotiating an agreement
under this subsection, which states that--
(A) such agreement represents a fully informed and voluntary
agreement by the debtor;
(B) such agreement does not impose an undue hardship on the debtor
or a dependent of the debtor; and
(C) the attorney fully advised the debtor of the legal effect and
consequences of--
(i) an agreement of the kind specified in this subsection; and
(ii) any default under such an agreement;
(4) the debtor has not rescinded such agreement at any time prior to
discharge or within sixty days after such agreement is filed with the
court, whichever occurs later, by giving notice of rescission to the
holder of such claim;
(5) the provisions of subsection (d) of this section have been
complied with; and
(6)
(A) in a case concerning an individual who was not represented by
an attorney during the course of negotiating an agreement under this
subsection, the court approves such agreement as--
(i) not imposing an undue hardship on the debtor or a dependent
of the debtor; and
(ii) in the best interest of the debtor.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the extent that such debt
is a consumer debt secured by real property.
(d) In a case concerning an individual, when the court has determined
whether to grant or not to grant a discharge under section 727,
1141,
1228, or 1328
of this title, the court may hold a hearing at which the debtor shall
appear in person. At any such hearing, the court shall inform the debtor
that a discharge has been granted or the reason why a discharge has not
been granted. If a discharge has been granted and if the debtor desires to
make an agreement of the kind specified in subsection (c) of this section
and was not represented by an attorney during the course of negotiating
such agreement, then the court shall hold a hearing at which the debtor
shall appear in person and at such hearing the court shall--
(1) inform the debtor--
(A) that such an agreement is not required under this title, under
nonbankruptcy law, or under any agreement not made in accordance with
the provisions of subsection (c) of this section; and
(B) of the legal effect and consequences of--
(i) an agreement of the kind specified in subsection (c) of this
section; and
(ii) a default under such an agreement; and
(2) determine whether the agreement that the debtor desires to make
complies with the requirements of subsection (c)(6) of this section, if
the consideration for such agreement is based in whole or in part on a
consumer debt that is not secured by real property of the debtor.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a)(3) of this section, discharge
of a debt of the debtor does not affect the liability of any other entity
on, or the property of any other entity for, such debt.
(f) Nothing contained in subsection (c) or (d) of this section prevents
a debtor from voluntarily repaying any debt.
(g)
(1)
(A) After notice and hearing, a court that enters an order
confirming a plan of reorganization under chapter 11
may issue, in connection with such order, an injunction in accordance
with this subsection to supplement the injunctive effect of a
discharge under this section.
(B) An injunction may be issued under subparagraph (A) to enjoin
entities from taking legal action for the purpose of directly or
indirectly collecting, recovering, or receiving payment or recovery
with respect to any claim or demand that, under a plan of
reorganization, is to be paid in whole or in part by a trust described
in paragraph (2)(B)(i), except such legal actions as are expressly
allowed by the injunction, the confirmation order, or the plan of
reorganization.
(2)
(A) Subject to subsection (h), if the requirements of subparagraph
(B) are met at the time an injunction described in paragraph (1) is
entered, then after entry of such injunction, any proceeding that
involves the validity, application, construction, or modification of
such injunction, or of this subsection with respect to such
injunction, may be commenced only in the district court in which such
injunction was entered, and such court shall have exclusive
jurisdiction over any such proceeding without regard to the amount in
controversy.
(B) The requirements of this subparagraph are that--
(i) the injunction is to be implemented in connection with a
trust that, pursuant to the plan of reorganization--
(I) is to assume the liabilities of a debtor which at the time
of entry of the order for relief has been named as a defendant in
personal injury, wrongful death, or property-damage actions
seeking recovery for damages allegedly caused by the presence of,
or exposure to, asbestos or asbestos- containing products;
(II) is to be funded in whole or in part by the securities of 1
or more debtors involved in such plan and by the obligation of
such debtor or debtors to make future payments, including
dividends;
(III) is to own, or by the exercise of rights granted under
such plan would be entitled to own if specified contingencies
occur, a majority of the voting shares of--
(aa) each such debtor;
(bb) the parent corporation of each such debtor; or
(cc) a subsidiary of each such debtor that is also a debtor;
and
(IV) is to use its assets or income to pay claims and demands;
and
(ii) subject to subsection (h), the court determines that--
(I) the debtor is likely to be subject to substantial future
demands for payment arising out of the same or similar conduct or
events that gave rise to the claims that are addressed by the
injunction;
(II) the actual amounts, numbers, and timing of such future
demands cannot be determined;
(III) pursuit of such demands outside the procedures prescribed
by such plan is likely to threaten the plan's purpose to deal
equitably with claims and future demands;
(IV) as part of the process of seeking confirmation of such
plan--
(aa) the terms of the injunction proposed to be issued under
paragraph (1)(A), including any provisions barring actions
against third parties pursuant to paragraph (4)(A), are set out
in such plan and in any disclosure statement supporting the
plan; and
(bb) a separate class or classes of the claimants whose
claims are to be addressed by a trust described in clause (i) is
established and votes, by at least 75 percent of those voting,
in favor of the plan; and
(V) subject to subsection (h), pursuant to court orders or
otherwise, the trust will operate through mechanisms such as
structured, periodic, or supplemental payments, pro rata
distributions, matrices, or periodic review of estimates of the
numbers and values of present claims and future demands, or other
comparable mechanisms, that provide reasonable assurance that the
trust will value, and be in a financial position to pay, present
claims and future demands that involve similar claims in
substantially the same manner.
(3)
(A) If the requirements of paragraph (2)(B) are met and the order
confirming the plan of reorganization was issued or affirmed by the
district court that has jurisdiction over the reorganization case,
then after the time for appeal of the order that issues or affirms the
plan--
(i) the injunction shall be valid and enforceable and may not be
revoked or modified by any court except through appeal in accordance
with paragraph (6);
(ii) no entity that pursuant to such plan or thereafter becomes a
direct or indirect transferee of, or successor to any assets of, a
debtor or trust that is the subject of the injunction shall be
liable with respect to any claim or demand made against such entity
by reason of its becoming such a transferee or successor; and
(iii) no entity that pursuant to such plan or thereafter makes a
loan to such a debtor or trust or to such a successor or transferee
shall, by reason of making the loan, be liable with respect to any
claim or demand made against such entity, nor shall any pledge of
assets made in connection with such a loan be upset or impaired for
that reason;
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to--
(i) imply that an entity described in subparagraph (A)(ii) or
(iii) would, if this paragraph were not applicable, necessarily be
liable to any entity by reason of any of the acts described in
subparagraph (A);
(ii) relieve any such entity of the duty to comply with, or of
liability under, any Federal or State law regarding the making of a
fraudulent conveyance in a transaction described in subparagraph (A)(ii)
or (iii); or
(iii) relieve a debtor of the debtor's obligation to comply with
the terms of the plan of reorganization, or affect the power of the
court to exercise its authority under sections 1141
and 1142
to compel the debtor to do so.
(4)
(A)
(i) Subject to subparagraph (B), an injunction described in
paragraph (1) shall be valid and enforceable against all entities
that it addresses.
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 524(e),
such an injunction may bar any action directed against a third party
who is identifiable from the terms of such injunction (by name or as
part of an identifiable group) and is alleged to be directly or
indirectly liable for the conduct of, claims against, or demands on
the debtor to the extent such alleged liability of such third party
arises by reason of--
(I) the third party's ownership of a financial interest in the
debtor, a past or present affiliate of the debtor, or a
predecessor in interest of the debtor;
(II) the third party's involvement in the management of the
debtor or a predecessor in interest of the debtor, or service as
an officer, director or employee of the debtor or a related party;
(III) the third party's provision of insurance to the debtor or
a related party; or
(IV) the third party's involvement in a transaction changing
the corporate structure, or in a loan or other financial
transaction affecting the financial condition, of the debtor or a
related party, including but not limited to--
(aa) involvement in providing financing (debt or equity), or
advice to an entity involved in such a transaction; or
(bb) acquiring or selling a financial interest in an entity
as part of such a transaction.
(iii) As used in this subparagraph, the term "related
party" means--
(I) a past or present affiliate of the debtor;
(II) a predecessor in interest of the debtor; or
(III) any entity that owned a financial interest in--
(aa) the debtor;
(bb) a past or present affiliate of the debtor; or
(cc) a predecessor in interest of the debtor.
(B) Subject to subsection (h), if, under a plan of reorganization,
a kind of demand described in such plan is to be paid in whole or in
part by a trust described in paragraph (2)(B)(i) in connection with
which an injunction described in paragraph (1) is to be implemented,
then such injunction shall be valid and enforceable with respect to a
demand of such kind made, after such plan is confirmed, against the
debtor or debtors involved, or against a third party described in
subparagraph (A)(ii), if--
(i) as part of the proceedings leading to issuance of such
injunction, the court appoints a legal representative for the
purpose of protecting the rights of persons that might subsequently
assert demands of such kind, and
(ii) the court determines, before entering the order confirming
such plan, that identifying such debtor or debtors, or such third
party (by name or as part of an identifiable group), in such
injunction with respect to such demands for purposes of this
subparagraph is fair and equitable with respect to the persons that
might subsequently assert such demands, in light of the benefits
provided, or to be provided, to such trust on behalf of such debtor
or debtors or such third party.
(5) In this subsection, the term "demand" means a demand
for payment, present or future, that--
(A) was not a claim during the proceedings leading to the
confirmation of a plan of reorganization;
(B) arises out of the same or similar conduct or events that gave
rise to the claims addressed by the injunction issued under paragraph
(1); and
(C) pursuant to the plan, is to be paid by a trust described in
paragraph (2)(B)(i).
(6) Paragraph (3)(A)(i) does not bar an action taken by or at the
direction of an appellate court on appeal of an injunction issued under
paragraph (1) or of the order of confirmation that relates to the
injunction.
(7) This subsection does not affect the operation of section 1144
or the power of the district court to refer a proceeding under section
157 of title 28 or any reference of a proceeding made prior to the date
of the enactment of this subsection.
(h) Application to existing injunctions.--For purposes
of subsection (g)--
(1) subject to paragraph (2), if an injunction of the kind described
in subsection (g)(1)(B) was issued before the date of the enactment of
this Act, as part of a plan of reorganization confirmed by an order
entered before such date, then the injunction shall be considered to
meet the requirements of subsection (g)(2)(B) for purposes of subsection
(g)(2)(A), and to satisfy subsection (g)(4)(A)(ii), if--
(A) the court determined at the time the plan was confirmed that
the plan was fair and equitable in accordance with the requirements of
section 1129(b);
(B) as part of the proceedings leading to issuance of such
injunction and confirmation of such plan, the court had appointed a
legal representative for the purpose of protecting the rights of
persons that might subsequently assert demands described in subsection
(g)(4)(B) with respect to such plan; and
(C) such legal representative did not object to confirmation of
such plan or issuance of such injunction; and
(2) for purposes of paragraph (1), if a trust described in subsection
(g)(2)(B)(i) is subject to a court order on the date of the enactment of
this Act staying such trust from settling or paying further claims--
(A) the requirements of subsection (g)(2)(B)(ii)(V) shall not apply
with respect to such trust until such stay is lifted or dissolved; and
(B) if such trust meets such requirements on the date such stay is
lifted or dissolved, such trust shall be considered to have met such
requirements continuously from the date of the enactment of this Act.
(i) The willful failure of a creditor to credit
payments received under a plan confirmed under this title (including a
plan of reorganization confirmed under chapter 11 of this title), unless
the plan is dismissed, in default, or the creditor has not received
payments required to be made under the plan in the manner required by the
plan (including crediting the amounts required under the plan), shall
constitute a violation of an injunction under subsection (a)(2) if the act
of the creditor to collect and failure to credit payments in the manner
required by the plan caused material injury to the debtor.
(j) Subsection (a)(2) does not operate as an
injunction against an act by a creditor that is the holder of a secured
claim, if--
(1) such creditor retains a security interest
in real property that is the principal residence of the debtor;
(2) such act is in the ordinary course of
business between the creditor and the debtor; and
(3) such act is limited to seeking or obtaining
periodic payments associated with a valid security interest in lieu of
pursuit of in rem relief to enforce the lien.
(k)
(1) The disclosures required under subsection
(c)(2) shall consist of the disclosure statement described in paragraph
(3), completed as required in that paragraph, together with the
agreement, statement, declaration, motion and order described,
respectively, in paragraphs (4) through (8), and shall be the only
disclosures required in connection with the reaffirmation.
(2) Disclosures made under paragraph (1) shall
be made clearly and conspicuously and in writing. The terms "Amount
Reaffirmed" and "Annual Percentage Rate" shall be
disclosed more conspicuously than other terms, data or information
provided in connection with this disclosure, except that the phrases
"Before agreeing to reaffirm a debt, review these important
disclosures" and "Summary of Reaffirmation Agreement" may
be equally conspicuous. Disclosures may be made in a different order and
may use terminology different from that set forth in paragraphs (2)
through (8), except that the terms "Amount Reaffirmed" and
"Annual Percentage Rate" must be used where indicated.
(3) The disclosure statement required under
this paragraph shall consist of the following:
(A) The statement: "Part A: Before
agreeing to reaffirm a debt, review these important disclosures:"
(B) Under the heading "Summary of
Reaffirmation Agreement", the statement: "This Summary is
made pursuant to the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code";
(C) The "Amount Reaffirmed", using
that term, which shall be--
(i) the total amount which the debtor
agrees to reaffirm, and
(ii) the total of any other fees or cost
accrued as of the date of the disclosure statement.
(D) In conjunction with the disclosure of the
`Amount Reaffirmed', the statements--
(i) "The amount of debt you have
agreed to reaffirm"; and
(ii) "Your credit agreement may
obligate you to pay additional amounts which may come due after the
date of this disclosure. Consult your credit agreement."
(E) The "Annual Percentage Rate",
using that term, which shall be disclosed as--
(i) if, at the time the petition is filed,
the debt is open end credit as defined under the Truth in Lending
Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.),
then--
(I) the annual percentage rate determined
under paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 127(b) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(b) (5)
and (6)), as applicable, as disclosed
to the debtor in the most recent periodic statement prior to the
agreement or, if no such periodic statement has been provided the
debtor during the prior 6 months, the annual percentage rate as it
would have been so disclosed at the time the disclosure statement
is given the debtor, or to the extent this annual percentage rate
is not readily available or not applicable, then
(II) the simple interest rate applicable
to the amount reaffirmed as of the date the disclosure statement
is given to the debtor, or if different simple interest rates
apply to different balances, the simple interest rate applicable
to each such balance, identifying the amount of each such balance
included in the amount reaffirmed, or
(III) if the entity making the disclosure
elects, to disclose the annual percentage rate under subclause (I)
and the simple interest rate under subclause (II);
(ii) if, at the time the petition is filed,
the debt is closed end credit as defined under the Truth in Lending
Act, then--
(I) the annual percentage rate under
section 128(a)(4) of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1638(a)(4)), as disclosed to
the debtor in the most recent disclosure statement given the
debtor prior to the reaffirmation agreement with respect to the
debt, or, if no such disclosure statement was provided the debtor,
the annual percentage rate as it would have been so disclosed at
the time the disclosure statement is given the debtor, or to the
extent this annual percentage rate is not readily available or not
applicable, then
(II) the simple interest rate applicable
to the amount reaffirmed as of the date the disclosure statement
is given the debtor, or if different simple interest rates apply
to different balances, the simple interest rate applicable to each
such balance, identifying the amount of such balance included in
the amount reaffirmed, or
(III) if the entity making the disclosure
elects, to disclose the annual percentage rate under (I) and the
simple interest rate under (II).
(F) If the underlying debt transaction was
disclosed as a variable rate transaction on the most recent disclosure
given under the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.), by stating "The interest rate on your loan
may be a variable interest rate which changes from time to time, so
that the annual percentage rate disclosed here may be higher or lower.
(G) If the debt is secured by a security
interest which has not been waived in whole or in part or determined
to be void by a final order of the court at the time of the
disclosure, by disclosing that a security interest or lien in goods or
property is asserted over some or all of the obligations you are
reaffirming and listing the items and their original purchase price
that are subject to the asserted security interest, or if not a
purchase-money security interest then listing by items or types and
the original amount of the loan.
(H) At the election of the creditor, a
statement of the repayment schedule using 1 or a combination of the
following--
(i) by making the statement: "Your
first payment in the amount of $XXX is due on XXX but the future
payment amount may be different. Consult your reaffirmation or
credit agreement, as applicable.", and stating the amount of
the first payment and the due date of that payment in the places
provided;
(ii) by making the statement: "Your
payment schedule will be:", and describing the repayment
schedule with the number, amount and due dates or period of payments
scheduled to repay the obligations reaffirmed to the extent then
known by the disclosing party; or
(iii) by describing the debtor's repayment
obligations with reasonable specificity to the extent then known by
the disclosing party.
(I) The following statement: "Note: When
this disclosure refers to what a creditor `may' do, it does not use
the word `may' to give the creditor specific permission. The word
`may' is used to tell you what might occur if the law permits the
creditor to take the action. If you have questions about your
reaffirmation or what the law requires, talk to the attorney who
helped you negotiate this agreement. If you don't have an attorney
helping you, the judge will explain the effect of your reaffirmation
when the reaffirmation hearing is held."
(J)
(i) The following additional statements:
Reaffirming a debt is a serious financial
decision. The law requires you to take certain steps to make sure
the decision is in your best interest. If these steps are not
completed, the reaffirmation agreement is not effective, even
though you have signed it.
1. Read the disclosures in this Part A
carefully. Consider the decision to reaffirm carefully. Then, if
you want to reaffirm, sign the reaffirmation agreement in Part B
(or you may use a separate agreement you and your creditor agree
on).
2. Complete and sign Part D and be sure
you can afford to make the payments you are agreeing to make and
have received a copy of the disclosure statement and a completed
and signed reaffirmation agreement.
3. If you were represented by an attorney
during the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, the
attorney must have signed the certification in Part C.
4. If you were not represented by an
attorney during the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement,
you must have completed and signed Part E.
5. The original of this disclosure must
be filed with the court by you or your creditor. If a separate
reaffirmation agreement (other than the one in Part B) has been
signed, it must be attached.
6. If you were represented by an attorney
during the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, your
reaffirmation agreement becomes effective upon filing with the
court unless the reaffirmation is presumed to be an undue hardship
as explained in Part D.
7. If you were not represented by an
attorney during the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, it
will not be effective unless the court approves it. The court will
notify you of the hearing on your reaffirmation agreement. You
must attend this hearing in bankruptcy court where the judge will
review your agreement. The bankruptcy court must approve the
agreement as consistent with your best interests, except that no
court approval is required if the agreement is for a consumer debt
secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or other lien
on your real property, like your home.
Your right to rescind a reaffirmation.
You may rescind (cancel) your reaffirmation at any time before the
bankruptcy court enters a discharge order or within 60 days after
the agreement is filed with the court, whichever is longer. To
rescind or cancel, you must notify the creditor that the agreement
is canceled.
What are your obligations if you reaffirm
the debt? A reaffirmed debt remains your personal legal
obligation. It is not discharged in your bankruptcy. That means
that if you default on your reaffirmed debt after your bankruptcy
is over, your creditor may be able to take your property or your
wages. Otherwise, your obligations will be determined by the
reaffirmation agreement which may have changed the terms of the
original agreement. For example, if you are reaffirming an open
end credit agreement, the creditor may be permitted by that
agreement or applicable law to change the terms of the agreement
in the future under certain conditions.
Are you required to enter into a
reaffirmation agreement by any law? No, you are not required to
reaffirm a debt by any law. Only agree to reaffirm a debt if it is
in your best interest. Be sure you can afford the payments you
agree to make.
What if your creditor has a security
interest or lien? Your bankruptcy discharge does not eliminate any
lien on your property. A `lien' is often referred to as a security
interest, deed of trust, mortgage or security deed. Even if you do
not reaffirm and your personal liability on the debt is
discharged, because of the lien your creditor may still have the
right to take the security property if you do not pay the debt or
default on it. If the lien is on an item of personal property that
is exempt under your State's law or that the trustee has
abandoned, you may be able to redeem the item rather than reaffirm
the debt. To redeem, you make a single payment to the creditor
equal to the current value of the security property, as agreed by
the parties or determined by the court.
(ii) In the case of a reaffirmation under
subsection (m)(2), numbered paragraph 6 in the disclosures required
by clause (i) of this subparagraph shall read as follows:
6. If you were represented by an attorney
during the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, your
reaffirmation agreement becomes effective upon filing with the
court.".
(4) The form of reaffirmation agreement
required under this paragraph shall consist of the following:
Part B: Reaffirmation Agreement. I/we agree
to reaffirm the obligations arising under the credit agreement
described below.
Brief description of credit agreement:
Description of any changes to the credit
agreement made as part of this reaffirmation agreement:
Signature: Date:
Borrower:
Co-borrower, if also reaffirming:
Accepted by creditor:
Date of creditor acceptance:
(5)
(A) The declaration shall consist of the
following:
Part C: Certification by Debtor's Attorney
(If Any).
I hereby certify that (1) this agreement
represents a fully informed and voluntary agreement by the debtor(s);
(2) this agreement does not impose an undue hardship on the debtor
or any dependent of the debtor; and (3) I have fully advised the
debtor of the legal effect and consequences of this agreement and
any default under this agreement.
Signature of Debtor's Attorney: Date:
(B) In the case of reaffirmations in which a
presumption of undue hardship has been established, the certification
shall state that in the opinion of the attorney, the debtor is able to
make the payment.
(C) In the case of a reaffirmation agreement
under subsection (m)(2), subparagraph (B) is not applicable.
(6)
(A) The statement in support of reaffirmation
agreement, which the debtor shall sign and date prior to filing with
the court, shall consist of the following:
Part D: Debtor's Statement in Support of
Reaffirmation Agreement.
1. I believe this agreement will not
impose an undue hardship on my dependents or me. I can afford to
make the payments on the reaffirmed debt because my monthly income
(take home pay plus any other income received) is $XXX, and my
actual current monthly expenses including monthly payments on
post-bankruptcy debt and other reaffirmation agreements total $XXX,
leaving $XXX to make the required payments on this reaffirmed
debt. I understand that if my income less my monthly expenses does
not leave enough to make the payments, this reaffirmation
agreement is presumed to be an undue hardship on me and must be
reviewed by the court. However, this presumption may be overcome
if I explain to the satisfaction of the court how I can afford to
make the payments here: XXX.
2. I received a copy of the Reaffirmation
Disclosure Statement in Part A and a completed and signed
reaffirmation agreement.
(B) Where the debtor is represented by
counsel and is reaffirming a debt owed to a creditor defined in
section 19(b)(1)(A)(iv) (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(A)(iv))
of the Federal Reserve Act, the statement
of support of the reaffirmation agreement, which the debtor shall sign
and date prior to filing with the court, shall consist of the
following:
I believe this agreement is in my financial
interest. I can afford to make the payments on the reaffirmed debt.
I received a copy of the Reaffirmation Disclosure Statement in Part
A and a completed and signed reaffirmation agreement.
(7) The motion, which may be used if approval
of the agreement by the court is required in order for it to be
effective and shall be signed and dated by the moving party, shall
consist of the following:
Part E: Motion for Court Approval (To be
completed only where debtor is not represented by an attorney.). I
(we), the debtor, affirm the following to be true and correct:
I am not represented by an attorney in
connection with this reaffirmation agreement.
I believe this agreement is in my best
interest based on the income and expenses I have disclosed in my
Statement in Support of this reaffirmation agreement above, and
because (provide any additional relevant reasons the court should
consider):
Therefore, I ask the court for an order
approving this reaffirmation agreement.
(8) The court order, which may be used to
approve a reaffirmation, shall consist of the following:
Court Order: The court grants the debtor's
motion and approves the reaffirmation agreement described above.
(9) Subsection (a)(2) does not operate as an
injunction against an act by a creditor that is the holder of a secured
claim, if--
(A) such creditor retains a security interest
in real property that is the debtor's principal residence;
(B) such act is in the ordinary course of
business between the creditor and the debtor; and
(C) such act is limited to seeking or
obtaining periodic payments associated with a valid security interest
in lieu of pursuit of in rem relief to enforce the lien.
(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
title:
(1) A creditor may accept payments from a
debtor before and after the filing of a reaffirmation agreement with the
court.
(2) A creditor may accept payments from a
debtor under a reaffirmation agreement which the creditor believes in
good faith to be effective.
(3) The requirements of subsections (c)(2) and
(k) shall be satisfied if disclosures required under those subsections
are given in good faith.
(m)
(1) Until 60 days after a reaffirmation
agreement is filed with the court (or such additional period as the
court, after notice and hearing and for cause, orders before the
expiration of such period), it shall be presumed that the reaffirmation
agreement is an undue hardship on the debtor if the debtor's monthly
income less the debtor's monthly expenses as shown on the debtor's
completed and signed statement in support of the reaffirmation agreement
required under subsection (k)(6)(A) is less than the scheduled payments
on the reaffirmed debt. This presumption shall be reviewed by the court.
The presumption may be rebutted in writing by the debtor if the
statement includes an explanation which identifies additional sources of
funds to make the payments as agreed upon under the terms of the
reaffirmation agreement. If the presumption is not rebutted to the
satisfaction of the court, the court may disapprove the agreement. No
agreement shall be disapproved without notice and hearing to the debtor
and creditor and such hearing shall be concluded before the entry of the
debtor's discharge.
(2) This subsection does not apply to
reaffirmation agreements where the creditor is a credit union, as
defined in section 19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C.
461(b)(1)(A)(iv)).
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