| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Chapter 11 Bankruptcy |
Chapter 11 is a reorganization process where the debtor may continue to operate the business as a fiduciary. A confirmed Chapter 11 Plan provides for the manner in which the claims will be paid in while, or in part, by the debtor. |
| Chapter 12 Bankruptcy |
A reorganization plan specifically for farmers whose debts fall within certain debt-limits. |
| Chapter 13 Bankruptcy |
A repayment plan for individuals with a regular source of income, whose debts fall below statutory levels but above the median-family income for that state. In a Chapter 13 Plan, the debtor contributes all of their disposable future income to making a monthly plan payment for 3 to 5 years. |
| Chapter 7 Bankruptcy |
Chapter 7 is the most common form of bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7, the debtor’s assets are liquidated. Chapter 7 is available to individual debtors, married couples, partnership businesses, and corporations. |
| Collateral |
Property which is subject to a lien. A secured creditor is one who has rights in the collateral and is therefore given additional protections in the Bankruptcy Code for the claim secured by the collateral. The general rule with respect to liens is "First in time, first in right." |
| Confirmed Plan |
A plan of reorganization in a Chapter 11, 12, or 13 that is approved by the court and has become binding on the parties confirmed within it. |
| Consumer Debt |
Debts that are incurred by an individual for personal, family, or household purposes. The means test applies only to those with primarily consumer debts. Taxes are not consumer debts. |
| Conversion |
Cases under the Code may be converted from one chapter to another chapter by motion. For example, a Chapter 13 case may be converted to a Chapter 7 case, assuming the debtor is eligible, if the debtor falls critically ill or loses their job. It is the same case as originally filed, just governed by a different bankruptcy chapter. |
| Creditor |
The person or organization to whom the debtor owes money or has some other enforceable legal obligation. |