Debtors often believe that when they receive a bankruptcy discharge, their case is over, but this isn't always true. Your bankruptcy case remains open, and the trustee can reach your property indefinitely until he either abandons the particular asset or files a no-asset report with the court.
Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13
Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires a repayment plan to satisfy your creditors. The trustee doesn't take your assets in this type of bankruptcy, but your assets are primarily vulnerable in a chapter 7 proceeding, because your creditors receive payment from the sale of your property.
When the Trustee Abandons Assets
Sometimes, it's not worth it for the trustee to go to the time and expense of selling a particular asset, such as when there's little equity or value in it. He is supposed to file a notice of abandonment when this happens. If he doesn't, and if the asset appreciates in value, it may eventually be worth liquidating. If your case remains open, the trustee can still order the sale of the asset, even if you've received a discharge. However, you have the right to file a motion asking the court to order him to abandon the property if he's not going to sell it. After the trustee abandons an asset, he can't reclaim it for sale.
Read More: What Happens if the Trustee Abandoned an Asset?
When the Trustee Files a No-Asset Report
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains open until the trustee files a no-asset report with the court. Trustees do this when they've sold everything there is to sell and abandoned any remaining property. Until you receive a copy of this report, the trustee can come back and take assets, but only if you owned them at the time you filed.
References
Writer Bio
Beverly Bird is a practicing paralegal who has been writing professionally on legal subjects for over 30 years. She specializes in family law and estate law and has mediated family custody issues.