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Category: bankruptcy

Can bankruptcy stop a lawsuit, judgment or bank levy in Massachusetts?

automatic stay graphic

Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Michael Goldstein Last reviewed October 5, 2026 We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Yes, in most cases. Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. §362, which immediately stops most debt-collection lawsuits, the entry and enforcement of […]

Will I Lose My 401(k) or IRA If I File for Bankruptcy in Massachusetts?

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Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Michael Goldstein · Last reviewed September 13, 2026 Quick answer: Will I lose my 401(k) or IRA in bankruptcy? No, in almost every case. Money inside an ERISA-qualified 401(k), 403(b), or pension is excluded from the bankruptcy estate entirely under 11 U.S.C. §541(c)(2), with no dollar limit. Traditional and […]

Can I discharge my tax debt in bankruptcy?

Alt text: Infographic explaining rules for discharging Massachusetts and federal income tax debt in bankruptcy, featuring a courthouse, gavel, state map, and key criteria including the 3-2-240 timing rules and First Circuit late-filing restrictions.

Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Michael Goldstein. Last reviewed: September 10, 2026. QUICK ANSWER Can tax debt be discharged in bankruptcy? Some old income tax debt can be discharged in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but only when the return was filed on time and the debt clears strict timing rules. If you […]

Can a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee Take My Tax Refund in Massachusetts?

A vector illustration with a flat design, featuring a businesswoman, a large key, and a glass dome on a light gray background with a rounded navy border. On the top left, a massive, antique gold key stands vertically. Text on the key’s bow reads “CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY.” At the bottom, a white ribbon with navy text says “CHAPTER 7 TAX REFUNDS” and below it, “MASSACHUSETTS.” A businesswoman in a dark navy suit and red blouse stands in the center, looking left and holding a clipboard, her face rendered in a dark reddish-brown hue. She extends her left arm to the right towards a large glass dome that contains a stack of dollar bills and a check. The dome also has a circular logo on it with a lighthouse and the words “MASSACHUSETTS EXEMPTIONS.” On the right, above the dome, the question “Can They Take It?” is followed by a large question mark. A black L-shaped arrow points from the top of the stack of money towards the businesswoman’s outstretched hand. Light gray silhouettes of architectural domes are visible in the background, suggesting government or legal buildings.

Quick Answer A Chapter 7 trustee can claim the nonexempt part of a tax refund tied to income you earned before you filed, even if the IRS or Massachusetts DOR pays it out after your case opens. Massachusetts lets you protect up to $2,500 of the refund through the state cash exemption, plus a wildcard […]

What Happens to My Bank Account When I File Bankruptcy in Massachusetts?

A comprehensive graphic for a blog post about Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and protecting your bank account. The image features a gavel, a bankruptcy petition, a phone with an account balance, and people looking at a map of Massachusetts. Text at the top says "Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Your Bank Account & Exemptions. Protecting What's Yours

Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy You check your balance the morning after you file and it’s still there. That’s not luck. That’s the exemption law working the way it’s supposed to. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. This article covers bankruptcy assistance under Title 11 […]

Should I Reaffirm My Car Loan in Chapter 7?

woman in car looking at a laptop page about reaffirmation

Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Signing a reaffirmation agreement puts your name back on the car loan after your discharge. Here is what that costs you in Massachusetts, and what the alternatives look like. Legally reviewed by Michael Goldstein, Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Last reviewed [PUBLISH DATE] We are a debt relief agency. We help people file […]

What Happens at a Chapter 7 Meeting of Creditors in Massachusetts?

341 Bankruptcy Meeting of Creditors on Zoom

Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy It’s the one appointment every Chapter 7 filer in Massachusetts has to keep. Here’s what the trustee actually asks, what to bring, and how the Zoom version of it works in this district. Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Michael Goldstein Last reviewed: August 9, 2026 Required disclosure: We are a […]

Can Bankruptcy Stop a Wage Garnishment in Massachusetts?

can a bankruptcy stop a wage garnishment in Massachusetts - cover image

Including how the automatic stay works on filing, what Massachusetts law protects on its own, and which garnishments continue anyway. Legally reviewed by Attorney Michael Goldstein • Massachusetts Bankruptcy Attorney • Last reviewed: August 4, 2026 We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. (Required disclosure […]

Which Bills Should You Keep Paying Before Filing Bankruptcy in Massachusetts?

homeowner looking stressed out and paying his mortgage on his laptop

Michael Goldstein Attorney at Law Schedule a Consultation Home  /  Blog  /  Which Bills Should You Keep Paying Before Bankruptcy? Massachusetts Bankruptcy · Pre-Filing Decisions Which Bills Should You Keep Paying Before Filing Bankruptcy in Massachusetts? Including how credit cards and other unsecured debt are treated differently from support obligations, secured loans, and taxes. Legally […]

Chapter 7 Means Test in Massachusetts: How Much Can You Make and Still Qualify?

chapter 7 vs chapter 13

Quick Answer There is no single Chapter 7 income limit. Massachusetts compares your household income to a state median for your family size. If you are above it, a second calculation subtracts allowed expenses to find your disposable income, and many higher earners still qualify. The only way to know is to run the actual […]

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Massachusetts: Which One Is Right for You?

chapter 7 bankruptcy vs. chapter 13 bankruptcy

By Attorney Michael Goldstein, a licensed Massachusetts attorney handling bankruptcy cases since 2006 Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt in a few months by liquidating non-exempt property, though most Massachusetts filers keep everything they own under state exemptions. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan that lets you keep property and catch up on […]