Legal Question in Bankruptcy in California
Recourse against bankruptsy filing
I have a $10,000 contract for a Real Estate investment, which is not secured by a property. While the owner of the company I've invested with was promising me timely repayment of my investment with a 30% return, he was arranging for bankruptcy. I recently found out from the internet that he actually filled for bankruptcy (his company became dissolved; not sure what chapter that is) a few months ago. He does business under different company name now in another field. What recourse do I have against him? The contract stipulates that all legal fees will be paid by the defaulting party.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Recourse against bankruptsy filing
I'm not sure what the terms of your contract are, but if you have proof that he obtained your money by intentionally misrepresenting information to you, then you may be able to object to the discharge of the debt he owes you in his bankruptcy case.
Re: Recourse against bankruptsy filing
There are narrow time limits for filing an adversary proceeding in bankruptcy. Take a look at the notice and the last date listed for objection to discharge. See an attorney immediately if you believe that he misrepresented the facts when he took the money from you.
Re: Recourse against bankruptsy filing
If you can prove that he intentionally defrauded you, then your recourse is to file what is known as an adversary action in the Bankruptcy. Essentially, this is a new lawsuit against the debtor, and you are going to argue that the debt that he seeks to discharge is actually nondischargeable because of his fraud.
These are complicated types of cases, and they are subject to some very technical procedural rules and timeframes. If you do nothing, and your debtor obtains a discharge, you are likely forever barred from collecting the money.
You should seek out an attorney immediately. We are debt collection litigators with experience in this type of area of law; if you would like to consult, please feel free to call or email.
Good luck.
***No Legal Services or Attorney Client Relationship - Although this email may provide information concerning potential legal issues, it is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. You should not and are not authorized to rely on this email as a source of legal advice. Until a formal Retainer Agreement is executed, any communication between you and The Guerrini Law Firm cannot create any attorney-client relationship between you and The Guerrini Law Firm.***
Related Questions & Answers
-
Dimissal due to failure to appear at 341 meeting My husbands chapter 13 case was... Asked 3/03/06, 11:24 pm in United States California Bankruptcy Law
-
Withdrawl of Bankruptcy petition If I file bankruptcy and all of a sudden my... Asked 3/01/06, 10:16 pm in United States California Bankruptcy Law