In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you don't fork over any property. Instead, you make a structured repayment plan. But can you modify this plan?

Ideally, you'll pay off your debts in three to five years, and be on your way. But certain situations can crop up that throw a wrench into your repayment plan. Fortunately, there are ways to accommodate such circumstances.

Here are five potential ways to modify your Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan:

Deciding on the right bankruptcy attorney can be just as draining as the bankruptcy process itself. If you don't know what to look for in a lawyer, the whole experience of researching and meeting with potential attorneys can be pretty overwhelming.

Don't worry. We've got you covered. Here are five tips to help you find the bankruptcy lawyer who's right for you:

Do tax refund checks result in more bankruptcies?

There seems to be a correlation. According to the Los Angeles Times, bankruptcies rise after tax refunds are issued.

That seems counter-intuitive on one hand. On the other hand, it makes perfect sense.

Bankruptcy might sound scary. But sometimes, it's reassuring to know that others have been there and pulled through it.

Some of these people are famous and some even went on to make history.

Here are a few famous people who have declared bankruptcy and survived, courtesy of CNN:

Many times, people who face bankruptcy are also facing foreclosure.

For the most part, you can't get out of your mortgage by declaring bankruptcy. While in theory, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will discharge your mortgage, it doesn't remove the lien on your house. So if you want to keep your house, you still have to make monthly payments.

The City of Stockton, California, is heading further into the bankruptcy process. Next month,the city will go to trial to see if bankruptcy is even a possibility.

While bankruptcy is typically the type of thing that individuals and businesses go through, it’s not unknown for a municipality or county to declare bankruptcy.

Many people don't fully understand what the word bankruptcy really means. When they think of someone who is bankrupt, they imagine someone in a poor house with nothing but the clothes on their back.

But did you know that in many cases, bankrupt individuals go on to live the same lives they were already living?

Do you really know what bankruptcy is all about?

The economy appears to be on the rebound, and the stock market is healthy again. Jobs are coming back and house prices are rising. So why is this a good time to talk about bankruptcy?

It's a great time to talk about bankruptcy because people don't fall into bankruptcy overnight. Getting to the point where you're in over your head in debt happens over the course of time.

So when times are good, people should plan out their finances. What are some tips for the good times to avoid bankruptcy? Here are five you'll want to consider:

If you're thinking about filing for bankruptcy, you might not know where to start. The process seems scary at first and at the end of the day, it's a legal proceeding.

That means that there will be many things to think about and many things to learn before you take the plunge.

If you're contemplating filing for bankruptcy, here are three steps you should take immediately:

If you're contemplating bankruptcy but don't meet the income cutoff for a Chapter 7 filing, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be your best option.

It's actually a very good option for many people in debt. Chapter 13 a reorganizational bankruptcy that allows you to hold on to your assets while presenting a payment plan to pay off your debts.

For many people, it's a win-win situation. You keep what you own, you emerge debt-free, and you pay pennies on the dollar for each debt.