Discharge and case closure

[down @ out]

My bankruptcy was discharged in February and just recently I noticed on pacer that it had closed.

Can someone exlpain to me the difference between closure and discharge. I thought that when the discharge occured that I was free and clear. Guess I am now but could a case discharge and not close for a long time.

Thanks,

[SinkingFast]

Discharge is a time technical thing. More of a formality. You file, the Court has a period of time to notify the Creditors, and then there's the 341. Generally that's about 30 days after filing, give or take. Then there's a 60 day period for Creditor Objections. When the 60 days passes with no Creditor Objections, the Trustee usually Discharges the BK.

Closed is when the Trustee is done with you. No more business. No waiting on your income tax refund. Done all his/her investigations and concluded that there are no assets to disburse.

Closed is when you're officially done with the Court. Or, more appropriately, the Court is done with you.

[alh]

Easiest way to think of it is the discharge is when you no longer owe the debt. There may be more admistrative work that needs to be done on a case however, especially an asset case. While that work is being done the case stays open while the trustee and the court do their housekeeping. Then it gets closed.

[alh]

SF,

Good answer. I was posting at the same time you were and didn't see you had already replied.

[Minnymouth]

YEAH, ON THE HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES...............

My trustee is vacumming, cleaning, washing the car, cleaning out the garage, etc...................... 556 days and still counting............

WISH TO HELL HE'D FINISH UP WHAT HE'S DOING.............

[alh]

Minny,

In your case it was (is) more of a total teardown/rebuild by a shoddy contractor (trustee) I think.

[Jhbk29]

YEAH, ON THE HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES...............

My trustee is vacumming, cleaning, washing the car, cleaning out the garage, etc...................... 556 days and still counting............

WISH TO HELL HE'D FINISH UP WHAT HE'S DOING.............

LOL {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Minny}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} }}}}}}}}}}

[anonymuse]

YEAH, ON THE HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES...............

My trustee is vacumming, cleaning, washing the car, cleaning out the garage, etc...................... 556 days and still counting............

WISH TO HELL HE'D FINISH UP WHAT HE'S DOING.............