There is no doubt that the current economy is a challenging one. Even with a depressed economy, jobs are lost despite debts needing to be paid. Too much debt leads to bankruptcy, which can be an extremely traumatic experience. This article will help you to understand how to handle tough situations such as bankruptcy.
Have a good look around the Internet to see what information is relevant to you regarding bankruptcy. The United States Justice Department, the ABI (American Bankruptcy Institute), as well as the NABCA (National Assoc. Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys) are excellent sources of information. Knowing is half the battle, after all, and these websites are the first step in learning what you need to know to make your bankruptcy smooth and stress-free.
Most people end up filing for personal bankruptcy because they owe more than they make. If you are in this position, you need to be familiar with the laws in your area. Every state is different when it comes to dealing with bankruptcy. You may find your home is safeguarded in one state, while in another it isn’t. Before filing for personal bankruptcy, be certain that you are familiar with the laws.
Credit Cards
Don’t pay tax requirements with your credit cards with the thought of starting the bankruptcy process afterward, without doing your research first. In most states, you will still owe money to the IRS and have to take care of the interest of your credit cards. The main thing to remember is that dischargeable taxes are the equivalent of dischargeable debts. Just because your credit card could be discharged in bankruptcy does not mean you should use it.
After filing for bankruptcy, you may have difficulty getting approved for unsecured credit. If you do, then try applying for a coupe of secured cards. By doing this, you will be letting people know that you want to fix your credit score. In time, it may be possible for you to obtain unsecured cards.
Make certain that you comprehend everything regarding personal bankruptcy by studying online. The United States Department of Justice and National Association for Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys provide excellent information. The greater your body of knowledge, the better prepared you will be to make the decision of whether or not to file and to make certain that if you do file, the process is a smooth one.
Before declaring bankruptcy, ensure that all other options have been considered. For example, there are credit counseling services that can help you to deal with smaller amounts of debt. It is sometimes possible to negotiate smaller payment by yourself. If you do this, make sure you save a written record of debt modifications that are negotiated.
Chapter 13
Consider Chapter 13 bankruptcy for your filing. If your total debt is under $250,000 and you have consistent income, Chapter 13 will be available to you. Declaring bankruptcy can assist you in consolidating your debt so you can repay it more easily. This repayment period usually lasts from three to five years. If you make your payments faithfully during that time, any remaining unsecured debt will be eliminated. Just know that missing one payment could cause your case to be dismissed.
Do not attempt to pay your taxes with your credit cards and subsequently file for bankruptcy. Generally, this type of debt is not covered by bankruptcy filing, and you will still have a large debt owing to the IRS. Generally speaking, debt incurred to pay taxes and the tax bills themselves are treated the same in a bankruptcy. So, there’s no reason to make use of a credit cards if it will not be discharged in bankruptcy.
Before declaring bankruptcy, see if there’s anything less drastic you can do to repair your credit. Talk to a bankruptcy lawyer to see if a debt repayment plan or reduction in interest rates is a viable option for you instead of bankruptcy. If foreclosure looms, think about getting your loan plan modified. Your lender can help you get current on your loan by offering you one of a number of modifications, such as getting rid of late charges, lowering interest rates, or extending the length of the loan. Making arrangements with the creditors to make reasonable payments towards you debt is a much better plan than bankruptcy because the lender simply wants the loan repaid.
When you do file for bankruptcy, make sure you know your rights. You might hear from your creditors that your debts cannot be canceled through bankruptcy. There are only three main classes of debts that are non-dischargable: taxes, child support and student loans. 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 stated from the above article, the economy right now not in the best of shape and lots of people are hurting financially. That said, it is possible to avoid bankruptcy even if you are having cash flow problems. Hopefully, the information in this article has provided you with useful information that can help you stay out of bankruptcy. Also, try to remember that tomorrow provides you with a fresh start.
If you are truly faced with bankruptcy, avoid blowing your savings or retirement money, trying to pay off debts. You should not use your retirement savings unless the situation calls for it. You may need to withdraw some funds from your savings account, but don’t take everything that is there as you will be bereft of any financial backup if you do.