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Photo of attorneys Shelley Slafkes and Bruce Levitt
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How Social Media Can Impact Your Bankruptcy Case

On Behalf of | Jun 4, 2013 | Bankruptcy Basics

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media sites have become one of the primary ways people communicate with each other. Many individuals love sharing their lives, including pictures and daily posts on what we’re doing. However, if you are a debtor in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you need to think carefully before you post anything. Below are a few ways your social media accounts can cause problems in your bankruptcy case:

·         A debtor must make full disclosure of all income sources.  Thus, if you post an “advertisement” for your part-time job of cutting hair, and you failed to disclose this job to the bankruptcy court, it can cause problems.

·         When you file bankruptcy, you are required to disclose ALL of your assets.  Thus, if you are posting pictures of you and your friends enjoying a ski boat that was not disclosed in your filings with the court, the trustee is going to have questions for you.

·         During your bankruptcy case, the court expects you to maintain a budget and limit your expenditures.  You are prohibited from making frivolous purchases while not paying creditors in full.  Thus, any posts or pictures of your vacation to the beach are going to draw objections from the trustee.

While most bankruptcy trustees do not spend hours online researching your social media posts, an angry creditor might and turn the information over to the trustee. Your post may be misinterpreted and you are deemed fully innocent in your actions, but it can also cause you a lot of unnecessary trouble. You should always be cautious about what you post online, but this is especially true during your bankruptcy case.

We are bankruptcy lawyers who know how to make a difference in your financial situation. Levitt & Slafkes, P.C. provides you attorneys with experience you can rely on and we care about your results. Contact our New Jersey law firm online by filling out the form or by calling 973-323-2953 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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