Many in Tennessee may not be aware of another kind of expense that could cause you to have to file for bankruptcy when you didn’t think you were going to have to. For many people, going to court is not cheap. There are attorney fees and court costs even if you win your lawsuit or you are acquitted on criminal charges.
Many people no doubt remember the Casey Anthony trial, which captured the nation’s attention for a good portion of 2011. Anthony, who was ultimately acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter, has racked up approximately $792,000 in debts due to the case, and she recently filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as a result.
According to her filing made in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Anthony only has approximately $1,100 in assets. Among her debts are $500,000 still owed to the defense attorney who helped her beat the charges. She was also hit with a $145,660 judgment owed to the local sheriff’s office for expenses related to the case’s investigation. She also owes $61,505 in court costs and $68,540 in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
Anthony also noted in her filing that she is facing a civil suit, including a defamation suit from a woman who Anthony said kidnapped her child.
It’s unknown how Anthony will fare in her case. Because her debts are so high and her listed assets are so little, there appears to be little for a trustee to liquidate in order to pay off some of the debts. She will likely also still have to pay the IRS the taxes that she owes.
Source: Associated Press, “Casey Anthony files for bankruptcy in Fla.,” Jan. 27, 2013