A required meeting where the debtor answers a trustee's questions under oath; a judge does not preside.

A lawsuit filed within a bankruptcy case to resolve a dispute such as dischargeability, lien rights, or recovery of property.

​Past-due payments owed under a mortgage, vehicle loan, support order, tax obligation, lease, or other account.

​The federal injunction that generally begins at filing and pauses many collection and enforcement actions.

A trustee's or debtor's action to reverse certain transfers, liens, or payments for the benefit of the estate.

The legal estate created at filing that generally includes the debtor's interests in property, subject to exemptions and chapter-specific rules.

A creditor's asserted right to payment or other remedy from the debtor or bankruptcy estate.

The bankruptcy court's approval of a Chapter 11, Subchapter V, or Chapter 13 plan.

Debt incurred primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose.

A person or entity holding or asserting a claim against the debtor.

Court approval of specified debt or plan treatment over a creditor's or class's objection when statutory requirements are met.

Correcting a default by paying arrears or otherwise restoring compliance over an authorized period.

The person or entity that is the subject of a bankruptcy case.

A Chapter 11 debtor that remains in control of property and operations while performing trustee-like duties.

A voluntary transfer of mortgaged property to the lender under an agreement intended to resolve foreclosure.

The unpaid balance remaining after collateral is sold and proceeds are applied, subject to applicable law and defenses.

​The court order that releases the debtor from personal liability for qualifying debts and bars their collection.

​A debt eligible to be eliminated by the bankruptcy discharge if all requirements are satisfied.

Income remaining after permitted expenses and deductions, calculated under chapter-specific bankruptcy rules.

The value of property above valid liens and other interests, before considering sale costs and exemptions.

Property protected from administration or liquidation under the applicable exemption system.

A contract with material performance still due on both sides that may be assumed, assigned, or rejected in bankruptcy.

A judicial process in New York through which a mortgage holder seeks a court-ordered sale of real property.

A transfer that may be reversed because of actual intent to hinder creditors or because value and financial-condition tests are met.

A legal process directing part of a debtor's earnings or other property to a creditor.

A court determination that may establish liability and permit enforcement remedies such as liens, restraints, or garnishment.

A legal seizure of money or property to enforce a judgment or tax obligation.

A legal interest in property that secures payment or performance of an obligation.

The collection and sale of nonexempt assets for distribution to creditors.

An agreed change to one or more loan terms, potentially affecting payment, rate, term, arrears, or principal treatment.

A structured process for exploring consensual mortgage resolutions such as modification, forbearance, repayment, or surrender.

The statutory income-and-expense calculation used principally to evaluate Chapter 7 consumer eligibility and Chapter 13 obligations.

A Chapter 7 case in which the trustee finds no nonexempt value to distribute to unsecured creditors.

Property or value not protected by an available exemption and potentially subject to administration.

A qualifying payment or transfer made before bankruptcy that may be recovered because it favored one creditor over others.

​A claim the Bankruptcy Code places ahead of general unsecured claims, such as specified taxes or domestic-support obligations.

A creditor's formal filing stating the amount and basis of its claim against the estate.

A voluntary agreement that keeps an otherwise dischargeable debt enforceable, commonly involving a vehicle loan.

Court permission allowing a creditor to continue an action that the automatic stay would otherwise prohibit.

Debt backed by collateral in which the creditor holds a lien or security interest.

A lender-approved property sale for less than the total mortgage payoff.

The streamlined Chapter 11 process for eligible small-business debtors created by the Small Business Reorganization Act.

A fiduciary appointed or selected to administer specified duties in a bankruptcy case.

The Department of Justice component that oversees bankruptcy administration, trustees, reporting, and case compliance.

Debt not supported by collateral, including many credit-card, medical, and personal-loan obligations.