Secured Claims

Please help, I am so confused

(Kansas)
Are judgements in civil cases, and wage garnishments considered Secured Claims? Also what in the **** does Contingent, unliquidated and disputed all mean? Please help ASAP

THANKS

LK

I may be able to give you a partial answer to some of your questions.
Judgements in civil cases....if this judgement was due to a driving while intoxicated related case, no it is not dischargeable in bankruptcy.
Generally wage garnishments are the product of a judgement, therefore, unless it is child support/spousal support, taxes or what I mentioned above, then the garnishments will stop as soon as you file for BK.
Unliquidated, generally refers to any assets you may have that have not been turned to cash yet to pay off creditors.
Disputed means that a creditor has decided to fight for his money or try to get your BK thrown out in order to keep their debt on record.
Generally speaking, if you have not frauded anyone, are honest in your BK petition, and did not charge up your credit cards and take large cash advances shortly before filing then you really don't have a lot to worry about. Many creditors will try to scare you into "reaffirming" their debt by telling you they are going to dispute your BK and get it thrown out... I wouldn't worry too much.

if the judgment is placed as a lien on some type of property, it would be secured. secured = something was used as collateral to secure the debt (judgment)