California Bankruptcy Lawyers - Fines & Penalties

11 U.S.C. 525 provides (7) to the extent such debt is for a fine, penalty, or forfeiture payable to and for the benefit of a governmental unit, and is not compensation for actual pecuniary loss, other than a tax penalty - (A) relating to a tax of a kind not specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection; or (B) imposed with respect to a transaction or event that occurred before three years before the date of the filing of the petition.

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"Governmental Unit" includes federal, state, county, city, taxing districts, and their bankruptcy lawyers. Any fine imposed under color of law will not be discharged as a matter of public policy. In addition, courts often reciprocate reporting appearance dates for individuals who are subject to arrest for non-payment of fines.

All prudent debtors have questions about applicable laws before filing. The best source of legal advice is a qualified bankruptcy lawyer with substantial, current experience practicing before federal courts. Because state and federal laws change frequently, the results achieved by bankruptcy lawyers for their clients also change frequently  in direct response to these amendments. Depending upon the personal goals and situation of each debtor, all options may not apply. The best bankruptcy lawyers are intimately familiar with all options, as an assortment of tools, that may be combined creatively to maximize client benefits.

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