What Are the Chapter 7 Laws in Louisiana?

Bogged down with debt, residents of Louisiana have the option of seeking either a Chapter 13 or a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There are specific Chapter 7 laws in Louisiana that a debtor must follow when seeking this type of judicial relief and assistance.

Credit Counseling

Chapter 7 laws in Louisiana require a consumer to seek credit counseling before filing a bankruptcy petition.

Means Test

A Louisiana consumer must undergo a means test to ascertain whether bankruptcy is the appropriate option for her. The test measures income and necessary expenses to reach a determination.

Proper Court

There are three different districts in the state of Louisiana in which a consumer can file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.

Petition

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is initiated in Louisiana by filing a petition, the form for which can be obtained from any bankruptcy court in the state.

Notice

Chapter 7 laws in Louisiana require notice to all of a debtor's creditors of the bankruptcy filing and the date, time and location of the creditors' meeting.

Creditors Meeting

At the creditors' meeting, individual creditors can make claims against a consumer's assets or lodge objections to the bankruptcy proceedings.

References

• American Bar Association, Section of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Litigation
• Cornell Law School, Bankuptcy: An Overview
• U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Chapter 7

Resources

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana