It’s not fun to file bankruptcy. Bankruptcy can mean bad things and it is usually an embarrassing thing to mention to people when they ask about your financial status. Read this article to learn more about bankruptcy and make the best decision.
If you are thinking about paying off your tax obligations with a credit card and then filing bankruptcy, think again. In most states, you will still owe money to the IRS and have to take care of the interest of your credit cards. Remember that if you can discharge the tax you can discharge the debt. There isn’t any reason to use a credit card to pay the tax bill since the bill can be discharged anyway.
Try to make certain you are making the right choice prior to filing your petition. You can also avail yourself of other options, such as consumer credit counseling. Since your credit history will forever note the bankruptcy, you want to make sure that you have tried everything else before you take an action such as this, in order to minimize the effect it will have with regard to your credit history.
Credit History
Don’t look at bankruptcy as a first step. Look at all the other options you may have first. Consider any other options that are available to you, such as consumer credit counseling. Bankruptcy leaves a permanent mark on your credit history, so before you take such a large step, you want to exhaust all other options so that the future effects on your credit history are as minimal as possible.
Do not use your retirement fund or savings to pay off creditors. Avoid ever touching retirement funds until you have no other choice. If you do have to dig into your savings, make sure that you leave enough to sustain you and your family for a couple of months.
If you can, get a word-of-mouth referral for a lawyer. There are many companies who take advantage of financial desperation; that is why it is important that you get someone that is trustworthy.
Be as honest as you possibly can when filing for bankruptcy; hiding liabilities or assets will only hurt you in the long run. Whomever you plan to use should know a lot about the finances that you have, both the good and the bad. Never hide anything, and make sure you come up with a well devised plan for dealing with bankruptcy.
Make sure you know how to differentiate between Chapter 13 and Chapter 7. Take time to research this online and see the pros and cons for filing each one. If the information you read is unclear to you, take the time to go over the specifics with your lawyer before making a decision on which type you will want to file.
As you can tell, you do not have to let bankruptcy take control of you. These tips can help you avoid bankruptcy. Begin today with what you learned here and soon you will see positive changes in your financial situation, so you can avoid the harmful process of filing for bankruptcy.
Never pay for a consult with a bankruptcy lawyer, and ask plenty of questions. Free consultations are standard practice among bankruptcy lawyers, so interview multiple candidates before making a final decision. Only make a decision after you have met with several attorneys and all of your concerns and questions have been addressed. After the consultation, you are not immediately required to come up with a decision. Consulting with several attorneys will also help you find someone you trust.