Question

Use the following table to help answer the question below.
State
Single-Earner
2-Person
3-Person
4-Person
Florida
$41,226
$52,259
$58,574
$69,009
Georgia
$40,691
$55,258
$61,104
$68,502
Missouri
$39,645
$51,568
$60,371
$71,059
Texas
$38,940
$55,859
$59,222
$66,381
Virginia
$48,362
$65,122
$74,151
$85,939

A couple has two children. They live in Missouri and have a combined annual income of $96,730. The couple has a mortgage, a car loan, student loans, and credit card debt. When one of them loses employment, their monthly income is reduced by $2,100. If they felt the need to file for bankruptcy, which of the following statements is true?
a.
They could file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and discharge all of their debt.
b.
They could file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and discharge most of their debt.
c.
They could file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and discharge all of their debt.
d.
They could file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and discharge some of their debt.


Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

A
B
C
D

Answer 1

D

Their household (4 persons) in Missouri has a median income of $71,059, and their combined income ($96,730) exceeds that, so they generally fail the Chapter 7 means test. They would instead use Chapter 13, which allows a repayment plan and can discharge some unsecured debts at the end of the plan (but not typically student loans, and secured debts require treatment).