The bankruptcy system allows two choices, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 allows one to discharge debt while Chapter 13 only allows debt to be discharged after making regular payments for 2-3 years. In Memphis, Tennessee – Chapter 7 is costs $3,000 to file while Chapter 13 is free to file and allows the individual to make payments to cover the $3,000 costs. Individual believe they will get relief from debt. In most states, in the south persons can only afford to file Chapter 13 which has limited financial relief. In most instances, the bankruptcy court and attorneys benefit from the average bankruptcy. In some states, you can only file Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 is not an option. This is indeed a travesty to the persons that seek relief from their debt. For more info:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/28/how-the-bankruptcy-system-is-failing-black-americans.html
Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is the Pastor of Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church (UMC) in Montross, VA. Rev. Dr. Taylor promotes best practices by teaching financial literacy workshops and currently serves as Finance Chair in the Rappahannock River District for the UMC. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Taylor was born and raised in New York City and recently discovered her ancestral roots in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to David Taylor and they have a son and a daughter. Their daughter is a educator and son is an Active-Duty Senior Seaman in the Navy married with three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, swimming, writing poetry, crocheting and spending time with her family.