If you were unfortunate enough to have your property repossessed by the tax man, you should probably consider bankruptcy. Although bankruptcy tends to destroy a person’s credit, it’s occasionally the only available option. Continue reading for more information about how and why to file for bankruptcy.
Many people find that they must file for bankruptcy protection because they have more debt than they can afford to repay. If you have unmanageable debt, you need to familiarize yourself with regional bankruptcy laws. Bankruptcy laws vary from state to state. Some states protect your home, and others do not. Become acquainted with local bankruptcy laws before filing.
When you feel certain that you must file for personal bankruptcy, refrain from squandering your life savings to pay off unsecured debt. Avoid touching your retirement accounts whenever possible. Though you may need to use a bit of your savings, try hard to maintain some of your reserves so that you have some degree of flexibility going forward.
Do not pay your taxes with credit cards that will be canceled when you file for bankruptcy. In many parts of the country, you cannot get this debt discharged, and in the end you will be left owing the IRS a big sum of money. If the tax has the ability to be eliminated, the debt can be too. So using your credit card to pay off your tax obligations, then filing for bankruptcy, can actually hurt you instead of help you.
Exhaust every other option before making the decision to file for personal bankruptcy. You have other options, including consumer credit counseling help. Bankruptcy will be on your credit report and affect your credit score for many years to come, so it is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Try to use it as a last resort.
Do some research about laws and legislation before filing. If you want to file for bankruptcy successfully, it’s important to review the latest applicable laws. They tend to change frequently. To learn about these changes, try contacting your state’s legislation office or checking their website.
A free consultation is standard for bankruptcy attorneys, so shop around before settling on one. Make sure that you meet with an actual lawyer and not an assistant or paralegal, as these people are not allowed to provide legal advice. Seeking out different attorneys is all part of the process until you find someone that you can trust.
A lot of bankruptcy attorneys will let you have a consultation, so try several out. Be certain that the person you meet with is really a lawyer. Avoid meeting with paralegals or legal assistants because they cannot give you legal advice. Take some time to talk to different lawyers to find one that fits your needs, and meshes well with you.
Interest Rates
Think about all your options before pulling the trigger. You can get your interest rates reduced or enter into a debt repayment plan. Before you file bankruptcy, ask your attorney if any of these are viable alternatives for you. Loan modification can help you get out of foreclosure. There are a lot of ways that your lender can assist you, such as reducing interest rates, eliminating late fees, or extending the term of your loan. Remember that creditors desire to get paid and usually debt repayments are often preferable when dealing with bankrupt debtors.
If you’re concerned about the details of keeping your car, try to ask your attorney about details regarding lowering your monthly payments. Filing under Chapter 7 is usually a good way to lower your payments. Your car must have been purchased more than 910 days prior to filing, be a high interest loan, and you must have had a steady work history for this to work.
After you have finished with the initial process of filing, you can relax and take a breather. It’s easy to be stressed during this time. This stress could actually cause depression, if you don’t combat it. Your life will see improvement after you get past the bankruptcy.
Chapter 7
Before going through the Chapter 7 filing process, ensure that your co-debtors are abreast of any implications relating to this process. If you choose Chapter 7, you are no longer responsible for joint debts. Any co-debtor may well be held responsible for paying off the total remaining amount of the debt, though.
Carefully consider filing for bankruptcy on loans that have a co-signer, especially if that co-signer is a business associate, close friend or relative. When filing Chapter 7, you are not legally responsible for the debts in your name. However, creditors will want to hold your co-signer responsible completely.
Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure you understand your rights. Don’t take a debt collectors word for it simply because they tell you that you can’t have many or all of your debts erased by bankruptcy. Few debts exist that are not covered by bankruptcy, such as student loans or child support. If a collector tries to convince you that some other type of debt, such as a credit card, is non-discharagable, get the company’s information and send a report to your state attorney general’s office.
As your read at the start of this article, there is always the option of personal bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy should not be your first choice. By constantly improving your knowledge, you can easily know how to save stress and prevent yourself from losing everything.