Document Type
Discussion Paper
Publication Date
3-2022
CFDP Number
2327
CFDP Pages
51
Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Code(s)
G33, K35, J22, J31, D14, D18, D52, D53, E21
Abstract
We specify and estimate a lifecycle model of consumption, housing demand and labor supply in an environment where individuals may file for bankruptcy or default on their mortgage. Uncertainty in the model is driven by house price shocks, education specific productivity shocks, and catastrophic consumption events, while bankruptcy is governed by the basic institutional framework in the US as implied by Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The model is estimated using micro data on credit reports and mortgages combined with data from the American Community Survey. We use the model to understand the relative importance of the two chapters (7 and 13) for each of our two education groups that differ in both preferences and wage profiles. We also provide an evaluation of the BAPCPA reform. Our paper demonstrates importance of distributional effects of Bankruptcy policy.
Recommended Citation
Li, Wenli; Meghir, Costas; and Oswald, Florian, "Consumer Bankruptcy, Mortgage Default and Labor Supply" (2022). Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers. 2684.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/cowles-discussion-paper-series/2684