What Happens to My Car in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

When you file for Chapter 7, you have three choices when it comes to your car: surrendering, redeeming or reaffirming your car. Surrendering your car means giving your car up and taking your discharge against your debt. Redeeming your car means paying the fair market value of the car within 30 days of the meeting of creditors. Most debtors don’t have the ability to do this because they cannot afford it. Reaffirmation means re-obligating yourself to continue paying the debt, meaning you won’t get to discharge that debt in your bankruptcy. If you don’t continue making payments on your car, the creditor can take back their car and sue you for any remaining debt. Learn more in the video.