In the South, Bankruptcy is Different, Especially for Black Debtors [projects.propublica.org]

Alicia Doktor 9/28/174:00 AM

For consumers, there are two main options under federal bankruptcy law: Chapter 7, which wipes away most debts, or Chapter 13, which usually requires five years of payments before debts are forgiven. In most of the country, people choose Chapter 7. But two overlapping groups — debtors in the South and black debtors — disproportionately file under Chapter 13. About half of Chapter 13 cases are dismissed, usually because debtors failed to make their payments. This can leave them worse off than before they filed because they’ve paid court costs and attorney fees while falling further behind on their debts. Detailed Findings | Related Story | Download the Data

[For more on this story by Hannah Fresques & Paul Kiel, go to https://projects.propublica.or...ankruptcy-chapter-13]

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