Eva G. Bacevice graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2001. She practiced law for close to a decade in the area of consumer bankruptcy. She now works in higher education as an Academic Advisor for undergraduate students at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan and has recently joined Upsolve as a content writer.
Articles written by Attorney Eva Bacevice
Can I File Bankruptcy Even Though I’m Unemployed?
Written by Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 8, 2025
You can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy even if you're unemployed or have no income — and many people do. Unemployment benefits usually won’t disqualify you, and some costs, like court fees, may be waived if your income is low enough. Filing triggers an automatic stay that can protect you from wage garnishment and collection calls while you focus on getting back on your feet. Timing matters, though — filing too soon could leave you with new debt you can’t discharge later.
Read More →Can Attorney Fees Be Included in Bankruptcy?
Written by Jonathan Petts. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 5, 2025
If you owe attorney fees when you go to file your bankruptcy case, most will be treated as unsecured debt and discharged as part of your bankruptcy case. There are some exceptions to this, especially for attorney fees related to family court matters. Keep reading to learn more about how attorney fees are treated in bankruptcy.
Read More →What Are the New Jersey Bankruptcy Exemptions?
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated September 2, 2025
Every state has its own set of bankruptcy exemptions. There is also a set of federal bankruptcy exemptions contained in the United States Bankruptcy Code. Several states, including New Jersey, allow residents to choose between taking the New Jersey bankruptcy exemptions and the federal exemptions. It’s important to note that you have to pick one set of exemptions and stick to it, you can’t pick and choose from both New Jersey exemptions and federal, rather go with the set that gives you the most protection. If you decide to go with the state exemptions you can also use the federal nonbankruptcy exemptions as a supplement, so long as you meet the qualifications.
Read More →Can You Spend Money Before Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? How Much?
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 2, 2025
Before filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can spend money on necessary expenses like rent, utilities, groceries, and medical bills. However, you should avoid making any large or unusual purchases or paying off debts to friends or family, as this could raise red flags with the bankruptcy court. Spending money on luxury items or transferring assets before filing could be seen as fraudulent and might affect your case.
Read More →Yes! You Can Get a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated September 1, 2025
Many people successfully get a mortgage after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Lenders have their own requirements and waiting periods but buying a home after bankruptcy is possible. The real question here is: When will you be able to qualify for a mortgage? This will vary based on the type of loan you pursue. Many Chapter 7 filers become eligible for a home loan 1–4 years after they receive their bankruptcy discharge, depending on the type of mortgage they apply for.
Read More →Yes! You Can Get a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated September 1, 2025
Many people successfully get a mortgage after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Lenders have their own requirements and waiting periods but buying a home after bankruptcy is possible. The real question here is: When will you be able to qualify for a mortgage? This will vary based on the type of loan you pursue. Many Chapter 7 filers become eligible for a home loan 1–4 years after they receive their bankruptcy discharge, depending on the type of mortgage they apply for.
Read More →Will I lose my personal injury settlement award if I file for bankruptcy?
Written by Jonathan Petts. Legally reviewed by Ben Jackson
Updated September 1, 2025
Whether or not you can keep your personal injury settlement award when you file for bankruptcy depends on a number of different factors.
Read More →How To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy With No Money (Free & Low-Cost Options)
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated September 1, 2025
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy comes with costs, including court fees, credit counseling fees, and attorney fees. But some filers can do it for free or at a very low cost. If your income is low enough, you can request a court fee waiver and reduced or waived credit counseling fees. Filing without a lawyer is possible, and free tools like Upsolve can help guide you through the process. If you prefer legal help, you may qualify for free or low-cost assistance from legal aid organizations or pro bono attorneys.
Read More →How Much Debt Do I Need To File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Written by Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 1, 2025
There’s no minimum or maximum debt required to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy — eligibility is based on your financial situation. However, for Chapter 13, your total debts must be less than $2,750,000, according to U.S. Courts.
Read More →Can I File Bankruptcy Without My Spouse?
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 1, 2025
If you’re married, you can file bankruptcy without your spouse. But doing so doesn’t mean your spouse won’t be impacted. Before you choose whether to file individually or jointly, you’ll want to consider many factors, including what debts and assets you have together, whether you co-mingle your finances, and if there’s a prenuptial agreement.
Read More →Your Guide To Credit Unions & Bankruptcy
Written by Jonathan Petts. Legally reviewed by Ben Jackson
Updated August 29, 2025
Credit unions operate differently than banks in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and those differences can create extra challenges. Because of cross-collateralization, a car loan with a credit union may also secure unrelated debts like credit cards, making it harder to fully discharge those debts without giving up the car. Credit unions can also use set-offs to pull money directly from your accounts or freeze them once you file, and in some cases they may even revoke your membership. To protect yourself, it’s often wise to move direct deposits and savings to a regular bank before filing and check whether your credit union loans are cross-collateralized.
Read More →I Got My Chapter 7 Discharge! Now What?
Written by Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 29, 2025
A bankruptcy discharge is a court order that permanently eliminates your legal obligation to repay certain debts. It also prevents creditors from trying to collect them. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, filers are typically discharged within a few months. In Chapter 13, the bankruptcy discharge occurs after you complete a 3–5-year repayment plan. Most unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans can be discharged. Some debts — such as child support, alimony, and recent taxes — can’t. Once you receive your discharge, you can focus on rebuilding your financial future by checking your credit report, creating a budget, and using credit responsibly.
Read More →Bankruptcy Amendments: How To Correct or Update Your Forms
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 26, 2025
If you make a mistake or accidentally leave information out of your bankruptcy forms, you can almost always amend them after you file. The trustee in your bankruptcy case may also ask you to file an amendment after meeting with you in your 341 meeting. Be sure to fill out the amended forms carefully with the correct information and follow any local court rules to submit the amended forms. Most amended forms don't require a filing fee.
Read More →Can Bankruptcy Take Your 401(k) or IRA?
Written by Jonathan Petts. Legally reviewed by Ben Jackson
Updated August 26, 2025
Retirement accounts are almost always protected in a bankruptcy case. If you're considering filing, it’s best to keep your retirement assets where they are. Unless you can fully pay off all of your debts, taking money out of your retirement accounts to keep up usually only prolongs the inevitable.
Read More →What Does "The Automatic Stay Has Been Lifted" Mean?
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 25, 2025
The automatic stay is one of the biggest benefits of filing for bankruptcy. It provides immediate protection from creditors by halting collection calls, wage garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosures. This legal shield gives you breathing room to address your debts through the bankruptcy process. If the automatic stay is lifted, it means a creditor has successfully petitioned the bankruptcy court to remove these protections for a specific debt. Once the stay is lifted, that creditor can resume collection actions for that debt, such as repossessing your car or foreclosing on your home.
Read More →I’m a 1099 Contractor. How is My Bankruptcy Different?
Written by Jonathan Petts. Legally reviewed by Ben Jackson
Updated August 25, 2025
Much of the bankruptcy process is the same for people who are a full-time employee and people who are contractors. However, there are a few differences. When your income is not regular or easily predicted, you must demonstrate that you are eligible to file and ensure that it makes sense to file when you do.
Read More →What You Need To Know About Divorce and Bankruptcy
Written by Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated August 21, 2025
Bankruptcy and divorce often go hand in hand, and the order in which you file them can affect your debts, your property, and the legal process. Filing bankruptcy before, during, or after divorce changes what property you can protect and whether you’ll need to work with your spouse on bankruptcy paperwork. Chapter 7 offers a faster fresh start, while Chapter 13 can help repay certain debts over time, including some from a divorce. Knowing how these processes interact can help you avoid delays, protect assets, and make a smoother transition.
Read More →What Are the Idaho Bankruptcy Exemptions?
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated May 15, 2025
Exemptions help you protect what you own when you file bankruptcy. If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy as an Idaho resident, you must use the state’s exemption laws. Idaho provides a generous homestead exemption up to $175,000 and a motor vehicle exemption of $10,000. Additionally, Idaho offers a wildcard exemption of $800, which you can apply to any property you choose.
Read More →How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Washington
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice, Krishna Patel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated September 16, 2025
This guide shows you how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free in Washington without hiring a lawyer. It walks you step by step through gathering documents, taking required courses, completing and filing your forms, and covering the court fee. You’ll also learn about Washington-specific requirements, exemptions, and options for keeping property like your car or home. If your case is simple, you may even be able to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to make the process easier.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Tennessee
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice, Attorney Paige Hooper. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 29, 2025
You don’t need a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Tennessee — and many people successfully file on their own every year. If your case is straightforward and you don’t have valuable assets, this can be a simple, low-cost way to get a fresh start. You’ll need to take a credit counseling course, complete and file your bankruptcy forms, and attend a 341 meeting. This guide walks you through each step, and if you qualify, Upsolve’s free online tool can help you prepare your forms.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Pennsylvania
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice, Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 27, 2025
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Pennsylvania can help wipe out debt like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans, giving you a fresh financial start. Many people file without a lawyer, especially if their case is simple. This guide explains each step, from gathering documents and taking required courses to submitting your forms and attending your court meeting. If you're eligible, you may be able to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to prepare your forms and file confidently on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Ohio
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice, Chiara King. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 25, 2025
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Ohio can help you wipe out debt and get a fresh start — and you may be able to do it for free without a lawyer. This guide walks you through every step, from taking the required credit counseling course to submitting your forms and attending your court hearing. You’ll learn how to gather the right documents, apply for fee waivers, and protect your property using Ohio’s exemptions. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free tool to file on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Michigan
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice, Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 21, 2025
You don’t need a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan. Many people file on their own for free. This article shows you how to file Chapter 7 without a lawyer. Plus, if you qualify, Upsolve’s free filing tool can help you through each step of the process.
