
What Can You Keep After Bankruptcy?
A common bankruptcy myth is that you must give up all of your property if you file for bankruptcy. In fact, many people who file for bankruptcy are able to keep everything they own while enjoying protecting from creditors and debt relief.
If you have questions about what you can keep in a bankruptcy, the attorneys at RHM LAW LLP , are here to provide answers. We have helped numerous clients throughout the Los Angeles area achieve debt relief while keeping their property. Call (213) 344-0043 or contact us online for a free consultation with a California bankruptcy lawyer. It could be your first step on the road to debt relief.
Keeping Your House and Car in Bankruptcy
Your house: The law provides many options for saving your house from foreclosure. Filing for bankruptcy stops foreclosure immediately. In a Chapter 7, your house will likely be exempt from being seized. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have three to five years to pay and cure your past-due mortgage payments (“arrears”).
Your car: Bankruptcy stops car repossession. If your car was already repossessed, bankruptcy may help you get it back. Whether you can keep your car permanently depend on your specific circumstances. In a Chapter 7, you may be able to keep your car if you keep up to date on payments or even reaffirm the note with a possible reduction in balance. If you file for Chapter 13, you will likely keep your car and may even qualify for an auto loan cram down.
Other Items You Can Likely Keep
In addition to your car and your house, bankruptcy will generally allow you to keep such property as:
- Household goods and furnishings
- Personal belongings
- Checking and savings accounts
- Pension
- 401(k) account
- Tools of the trade
- Social Security benefits
- Unemployment compensation
- Welfare benefits
- Other real estate, including rental property
These exemptions are subject to value caps and may change as bankruptcy law evolves. For information about what you can and cannot keep in a bankruptcy, it is important to consult with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer.
Contact Us
For a free initial consultation about filing for bankruptcy with RHM LAW LLP , call (213) 344-0043 or contact us online. Our offices are open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and we serve clients in the Los Angeles area and San Fernando Valley through offices in Encino and Los Angeles. Se habla español!
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

RHM LAW LLP
Meet Our Los Angeles Bankruptcy Specialists
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M. Jonathan Hayes Senior Counsel
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Matt D. Resnik | Partner Partner
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Roksana D. Moradi-Brovia | Partner Partner
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Russell J. Stong III | Associate Attorney Senior Associate Attorney, Los Angeles Office
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W. Sloan Youkstetter | Associate Attorney Senior Associate Attorney, Los Angeles Office
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David M. Kritzer Senior Associate Attorney, Encino Office

Client Reviews
What Clients Say About Working With Us
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Dear Mr. Resnik: We wanted to thank you for your professional handling of our loan modification with GMAC mortgage. We are very happy that you were able to accomplish the modification of our loan in such a short period of time. Thank you again for your professional service.
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Matt and his team are the best!! They were thorough, extremely knowledgeable, wonderful to deal with, thoughtful, and really helped guide me through what was one of the toughest times in my life. I never felt judged or looked down on. They were efficient and really were lifesavers during this tough time. I can not recommend them highly enough!!!!- Rusty H.
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I worked with David Kritzer at this firm, and he was great. He negotiated on my behalf with a credit card company and was able to settle with them for much lower than I could have on my own thanks to his knowledge and expertise in the field. If you have a debtor on your back go to him to get it taken care of.- Kelly S.
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Fantastic office! I want to thank Matt for taking his time with me and sincere in his assistance. He spent over an hour with me for free during our initial consult. I left knowing exactly what's needed. He not only saved my house but also got rid of all my debt. They are not your typical attorneys and their creativity really allowed me to do things that other attorneys never mentioned in previous consults. Affordable and Outstanding firm and thank you for all you have done! My family thanks you!- David K.
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I filed bankruptcy with this firm 3 years ago and found that they are professional, friendly, and compassionate. I also met with their loan modification department. Unfortunately, they were unable to help because of the type of loan that I have. I really appreciated that they did not lie, waste my time, or take my money in an attempt to modify a loan that was not doable. I've since used their firm for a couple of minor issues and found all of the attorneys to be knowledgeable and considerate. Attorneys Simon and Resnik are amazing!- Shannon J.
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This is to thank you for the exceptional work of you and your fine staff. In managing my bankruptcy and loan modification, a nearly five-year effort, your performance was stellar. I never felt alone or adrift, key concerns in those circumstances. The outcome was outstanding. As the dank blanket of economic uncertainty continues to depress the hopes of many of us, I keep your business cards and number available for others. Without hyperbole, I can attest that you are present a beacon. Thank you so much.- K.C.
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I worked with Matt and his team for about a year to get through the paperwork shuffle and my personal experience was nothing short of fantastic. Legal situations have a tendency to get hairy, but Matt and his staff conducted themselves with professionalism throughout the whole ordeal. To keep it short, let's just say he under-promised and over-delivered. Rarely would I ever say this about an attorney, but overall he was just a great guy. I would not hesitate to have him on my side of the courtroom again. World market is right across the street from his office and I even decided to get his staff a thank you / holiday gift card. World market has excellent craft beer BTW, try the Einstock White Ale. They also validate parking. That just shows this isn't a fake review.- Dean C.
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I needed a bankruptcy attorney in Sherman Oaks and found Matt Resnik on Google. He has one of the best-reviewed bankruptcy law firms on Yelp so I decided to check it out his law firm for myself. I quickly found out that they are foreclosure specialists and they could help me with my issue. They made the process very easy for me and laid out my options for me. I cannot thank them enough for helping save my home. I would recommend them for anyone that is thinking about filing for bankruptcy or foreclosure on their home. They are the best bankruptcy law firm in Sherman Oaks.- Joseph R.
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Matt is the best bankruptcy attorney in Sherman Oaks. I consulted with Matt over a chapter 7 bankruptcy. I had issues with overwhelming credit card debt after Chase increased it's APR for no reason. It set off a chain of events that were really hurting me. He made me feel like I had options, all was not lost, and I could rebuild my credit after the 7. I had some concerns about a piece of property I was having issues with and Matt also turned out to be a real estate lawyer as well! I recommend this office to anyone who is unsure of their financial situation. It doesn't hurt to find out your options.- Max B.

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A Summary of Bankruptcy Law: Third Edition
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Summary of Chapter 13