The Economic Unit Theory of Calculating a Debtor’s Household Size

By Phil Lamos, Attorney Representing Chapter 13 Trustee Craig Shopneck, Cleveland, OH

Figuring out how much a debtor had to pay to unsecured creditors used to be so simple.  Back in the mists of time, before BAPCPA, you took the plan payment you thought the debtors could afford, multiplied it by 36 months, subtracted out the secured, priority, mortgage arrearage, and other fees to be paid through the plan, and the amount left was the amount that would be paid to unsecured creditors.  Now, however, calculating the amount a debtor must pay to the unsecured creditors is much . . .

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