No one ever thinks that they will go through a bankruptcy. Life can change quickly, and bankruptcy may be your only choice. Knowing how to deal with this is vital. If this has happened to you, then use the advice in this article to move forward with your life.
Be brutally honest when you file for bankruptcy, as hiding assets or liabilities, will only come back to haunt you. It is important that you are completely transparent, showing everything financial that needs to be known. Do not hold back anything, and form a sound plan to make peace with your reality.
Do not try to get clever by paying your taxes via credit card before you declare bankruptcy in an effort to dodge your tax burden. Most places will not consider the debt dischargeable, meaning you will have to pay the IRS a lot of money. A common rule is that dischargeable tax means dischargeable debt. If you live in an area where tax can be discharged through bankruptcy, financing your tax bill is pretty pointless.
It is imperative that you retain an experienced attorney if you are planning to file bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy is a complicated procedure, and you may not be aware of all the ins and outs. Talk to a bankruptcy lawyer, they can help clarify anything that you might have confusion with.
Prior to declaring bankruptcy you really need to be sure that you’ve exhausted all your other options first. There are numerous programs out there that may assist you with your debt, like a credit counseling program, a nonprofit group, government assistance, etc. It is also possible to do your own debt negotiations; however, be sure to get everything in writing.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
When it comes to informing your attorney about your case, don’t be fearful. You should not take for granted that your lawyer will remember every important detail that you have have told him earlier without a reminder. Ultimately, this is your bankruptcy and your financial future, so never hesitate to advocate on your behalf.
Understand the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is intended to wipe out all outstanding debts. This includes creditors and your relationship with them will become no longer existent. With a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have to make payments for 5 years before the debts are forgiven. You must know about the different bankruptcy types, and how each can affect you.
Always protect your house. Bankruptcy filings don’t necessarily have to end in the loss of your home. It may be possible to keep your home if the value has depreciated, or there is a second mortgage. Check to see if you pass the requirements necessary to file for a homestead exemption.
There are differences between Chapter 13 bankruptcy and Chapter 7; be sure to familiarize yourself with both. By researching each type, you can begin to understand which method is right for you. If something doesn’t make sense to you, go over it with your lawyer prior to choosing which one to file.
Try to find a bankruptcy attorney who is personally recommended, rather than off the Internet, or out of the yellow pages. Some companies just want to take advantage of you, so it is important that you have help from someone you trust.
There are many ways to resolve financial difficulties other than bankruptcy, and you should investigate all of them first. 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 is imminent, see if your loan can be altered at all through a modification plan. Some lenders will make concessions rather than losing the money owed to bankruptcy. These concessions include waiving late fees, lowering interest rates, and changing the loan term. When all is said and done, creditors want their money and find repayment plans preferable to not getting paid at all.
A great tip to remember if you have filed for Chapter 13 is that you will still be able to receive a loan, so you shouldn’t refrain from trying. It is more difficult. You need to contact your trustee so you can get approved for a new loan. When you meet with your trustee or financial adviser, make sure that you come up with a sound budget proposal. You also need to be prepared to answer questions about your need for the new item.
You should understand that you need to speak with a bankruptcy attorney about what you should and should not do when it comes to bankruptcy. When you are properly informed, you make the whole process easier for yourself. This article has provided much of that information, so that you can approach your finances in a less stressed state of mind.
Do not file for bankruptcy if your income is greater than your bills. Sure, bankruptcy can get rid of that debt, but it comes at the price of poor credit for 7-10 years.