Will a DUI Affect My Bankruptcy?
Especially under the scrutiny of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act regulations, filing for bankruptcy can take a strong account of past actions and mistakes. If these poor decisions have at all contributed to the debt being considered by the bankruptcy proceedings in question, the result can be a significant complication of a debtor’s bankruptcy petition and proceedings, even under Chapter 7 debt discharge rules.
When entering into bankruptcy proceedings, knowing what comes next can be a tremendous source of peace of mind. For more information regarding your options during bankruptcy, contact a Birmingham bankruptcy lawyer from Greenway Law, LLC, at 205-324-4000 today.
Non-dischargeable Debts and DUI Penalties
The central focus of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the discharge of debts and what may or may not qualify for that process. The monetary awards of civil lawsuits that leave a debtor liable for damages exceeding their insurance limitation or in cases where a DUI defendant is driving without insurance are subject to special consideration in bankruptcy. As a result of these costly mistakes, the debtor may find the following debts considered non-dischargeable:
- Tort settlement payments caused by DUI-related accidents
- Injury sums caused by a violent crime, which can include DUI
- Civil damages coming from malicious or intentional injuries
Under normal circumstances, when regarding personal injury suits, the law permits the debtor to discharge this amount. However, in terms of a DUI-related settlement or judgment, the debtor will often be pressed into paying out these sums through a more feasible payment plan.
Contact Us
If you have been charged with a DUI, the circumstances of your bankruptcy could be different than the standard procedure. To learn more about how DUI and other criminal charges can change the way bankruptcy works, contact a Birmingham bankruptcy attorney from Greenway Law, LLC, by calling 205-324-4000.