U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Middle District of Alabama

Bankruptcy Reform Implementation

Reaffirmation/Redemption

Disclosures by Creditor

§524(k) details the disclosures that must be made by a creditor before a debt may be reaffirmed, including the form and language that must be used.  The disclosures must be made before the reaffirmation is signed by the debtor.
Section
524(k)(1)-(3)
Form
ECF Event


Deadlines
Flags
 

Debtor's Affirmations

The debtor must:
(1) sign the agreement
(2) state the amount of monthly take home pay and other income, current monthly expenses (including post-bankruptcy obligations and other
      debts reaffirmed, and the amount available to make the payments on the debt being reaffirmed
(3) affirm that entering into the reaffirmation agreement will not impose an undue hardship and that the debtor has the ability to make the payments
      or, if a presumption of undue hardship arises, how the debtor intends to make the payment

Section Form ECF Event Deadlines Flags
§524(k)(4)
§524(k)(6)
bk>Debtor's Reaffirmation Disclosure Statement


 

misc>Reaffirmation Agreement
utility>Set Reaf flag (docketed if debtor is pro se) REAF
bk>misc>Recision of Reaffirmation Agreement
 

Attorney's Certification

The debtor's attorney must certify that:
(1)  debtor was fully informed and the agreement is voluntary
(2)  attorney has fully explained the effect of a reaffirmation
(3)  that either  (a)  the agreement does not impose an undue hardship or (b) if the presumption of undue hardship applies, in the opinion of the
       attorney the debtor has the ability to make the payments
Section
§524(k)(5)
Form
ECF Event
Deadlines
Flags
 

Creditor Payments

The creditor may receive payments before or after the reaffirmation agreement is filed if debtor believes in good faith the agreement is effective.  Good faith is established if disclosure requirements of §524(k) are satisified.
Section
§524(l)
Form
ECF Event
Deadlines
Flags
 

Presumption of Undue Hardship

A presumption of undue hardship arises where the net amount – after deducting monthly expenses from monthly income – is less than the amount of scheduled payments under the terms of a reaffirmation agreement. Where the presumption exists, no reaffirmation shall be disapproved without notice and a hearing, and such hearing must be concluded before entry of the debtor’s Ch. 7 discharge. This provision does not apply where the other party to the reaffirmation agreement is a credit union.
Section Form ECF Event Deadlines Flags
§524(m)  bk>notice>Presumption of Undue Hardship  re:  Reaffirmation Agreement
ReafHdShp(will prevent auto discharge)
bk>motion>Motion for Approval of Reaffirmation
bk>court events>set hearing>Hearing on Reaffirmation
bk>orders>Order on Motion for Approval of Reaffirmation
bk>Debtor's Statement in Support of Reaffirmation Agreement
ReafHdShp (if not already there
bk>Order Approving Reaffirmation
bk>Order Denying Approval of Reaffirmation Agreement


misc>Recision of Reaffirmation Agreement

 

 

Redemption Payment

Redemption price must be paid at the time of redemption.
Section
§722
 
Form
ECF Event
Deadlines
Flags