How to file bankruptcy – What are Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases in bankruptcy?

List your executory contracts and unexpired leases on your bankruptcy petition and declare your intention either to accept or to reject those contracts. Contracts that are not timely assumed are rejected and the parties are released from further performance under those contracts.

An executory contract is an agreement that has not been completed. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties to perform certain specified actions. Once the parties complete all contractual obligations the contract becomes fully executed and the parties to that contract have no further obligation to act under that contract. An example of an executory contract is an agreement to sell property in which the buyer and seller agree to perform certain actions including inspecting the property, making certain repairs, obtaining financing, transferring title, delivering possession and making payment. Until all contractual requirements are met, the contract remains open to be executed.

An unexpired lease is a form of contract for the use of certain specified real or personal property that has a specified length of time remaining on the length of the contract. An example of an unexpired lease is a rental agreement for the use of a car or a house where the owner agrees to provide the property to the lessee for a set number of months or years and the lessee agrees to make payments for using that property. For bankruptcy purposes, a timeshare falls into this category.

Bankruptcy code section 11 U.S.C. 365 requires that assumption of an executory contract or unexpired lease in a chapter 7 liquidation case within 60 days of filing the case; and in all other chapters of bankruptcy before confirmation of a plan. The court may extend the time to assume such agreements for cause. In the case of non-residential real estate agreements, the time to act is extended to 120 days or longer by court order.


If you have any questions regarding your open contracts or leases, call us today for a free consultation.

Speckman Law Firm

Attorney David L. Speckman

619-696-5151