Bankruptcy Fraud Penalties

A person interested in seeking debt relief through bankruptcy needs to be aware of bankruptcy fraud penalties. There are a variety of bankruptcy penalties that can be imposed depending on the seriousness of the violations.

Monetary Penalty

The bankruptcy court can impose a monetary penalty on a debtor who has committed bankruptcy fraud. The amount of the penalty depends on the severity of the violation.

Case Dismissal

A very common bankruptcy fraud penalty is a dismissal of the case.

Criminal Prosecution

If the fraud perpetrated in a case is severe, the bankruptcy court can make a referral of the debtor to the U.S. attorney for prosecution.

Prison Sentence

Through a criminal prosecution, a debtor found guilty of bankruptcy fraud can face a prison sentence.

Solution

Minimizing bankruptcy fraud penalties can best be achieved by retaining an experienced, qualified attorney.

References

• U.S. Bankruptcy Code
• Cornell Law School, Bankruptcy: An Overview
• U.S. Bankruptcy Courts

Resources

• American Bar Association, Section of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Litigation