Judge Peterson seeks Chapter 13 relief

COEUR d'ALENE - Clark A. Peterson, a judge in Kootenai County, and his wife, Donna M., filed for Chapter 13 relief in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

In their petition, the Petersons, of Post Falls, listed total assets of nearly $205,000, and debts of nearly $457,000, according to court documents.

Clark Peterson claimed $8,900 in gross-monthly wages, with payroll deductions of $2,700, and take-home pay of $6,200. Donna Peterson was listed as a homemaker.

The Petersons' average monthly expenses are $5,400.

Chapter 13 allows debtors to keep property and develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts over time, usually in three to five years. During that time the law forbids creditors from starting or continuing collection efforts.

Court records show the Petersons have more than $272,000 in debts owed to creditors holding secured claims, and nearly $185,000 to those holding unsecured claims.

Of the secured claims, they owe on a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer, and a Post Falls home and home-equity line of credit.

The creditors listed holding unsecured claims include the Internal Revenue Service, multiple banks and credit card companies, and multiple retailers.

The unsecured claims include $83,000 in student loans.

A call left at Peterson's office Monday wasn't immediately returned. A call left with his attorney, Jeffrey H. Andrews, in Hayden, wasn't returned.

The initial petition was filed April 27.