Gregory Mitchell joins Freeman Law to lead its bankruptcy practice. Mr. Mitchell is a native of the Dallas area, graduating from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics in 1991 and with his J.D. in 1994. In 1995, he obtained an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University. Mr. Mitchell currently directs the SMU Dedman School of Law's federal taxpayer clinic. Mr. Mitchell's background in tax makes him a natural fit for Freeman Law.

Prior to joining Freeman Law, Mr. Mitchell was the managing partner of The Mitchell Law Firm, L.P., a small firm he started in 2004, where he ran a diverse practice primarily focused on bankruptcy, tax and related litigation matters.

Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. Mitchell served as a Partner and General Counsel with Tax Automation, L.P., a national tax consulting firm. Mr. Mitchell was previously the National Director of Tax Technology at Ryan & Company, a national tax consulting practice, as well as a Senior Manager with KPMG, a "Big Four" accounting firm.

Continuing on with our series on Bankruptcy Schedules, today we'll look at Schedule D, which is used to list all of the secured debts that you owe as of the date that you filed for bankruptcy. Secured debts are those that are secured by collateral, such as a car loan or a mortgage. By completing Schedule D, you will provide the court and your creditors with a detailed list of all the debts you owe that are secured by collateral. As a general matter, secured debts will not be discharged in a bankruptcy case. Therefore, if you intend to keep the property that serves as the collateral for a loan, then you'll need to plan to continue to make payments on that debt after bankruptcy.

Step 1: Gather Information About Your Secured Debts

Before you can start filling out Schedule D, you'll need to gather information about all of your secured debts. This may include car loans, mortgages, and other loans that are secured by collateral. Make sure to gather all relevant documentation, including loan agreements, billing statements, and any other documents related to your secured debts.

Step 2: List Your Secured Debts

Once you have all of the necessary information, you can start listing your secured debts on Schedule D. For each secured debt, you'll need to provide the following information:

  • Creditor's name and address: This is the name and address of the creditor who holds the secured debt.
  • Collateral description: This is a description of the collateral that secures the debt. For example, if you have a car loan, the collateral description would be the make and model of the car.
  • Current value of collateral: This is the current value of the collateral that secures the debt. If you're not sure about the value of your collateral, you can use online resources like Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides to get an estimate.
  • Amount of claim: This is the amount that you owe on the secured debt as of the date that you filed for bankruptcy.

Be sure to list each secured debt separately, even if you have multiple loans with the same creditor.

Step 3: Complete the Form

Once you've complied all of the information on your secured debts, you or your attorney will need to complete Schedule D. This includes providing your name, case number, and other basic information, as well as signing the form to certify that the information you've provided is true and accurate.

Step 4: Review and File

After you've completed Schedule D, review it carefully to make sure everything is accurate and complete. Once you're satisfied with the form, you or your attorney will need to file it with the bankruptcy court, along with the rest of your bankruptcy paperwork. In conclusion, completing Schedule D is an important part of the bankruptcy process. By following these steps and seeking the guidance of a bankruptcy attorney if needed, you can ensure that your secured debts are accurately listed, and that your bankruptcy case proceeds smoothly.

Resources

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.