Bankruptcy is a tough decision for people to make, but in many situations, it is the correct choice. The more you educate and prepare yourself for the bankruptcy process, the better prepared you will be to handle it. Read the below article for excellent advice from people who have personally went through bankruptcy.
Ask yourself if filing for bankruptcy is the right thing to do. You can also avail yourself of other options, such as consumer credit counseling. 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.
If you are considering using credit cards to pay your taxes and then file for bankruptcy, you may want to rethink that. In a lot of places, the debt cannot be discharged, and you may still owe money to the IRS. Transferring the debt to another medium (e.g. a credit card) won’t magically make a tax debt discharagable, either. So, there is no reason to use your credit card if it will be discharged in the bankruptcy.
After you have declared bankruptcy, you may have a hard time being approved for unsecured credit. If this happens, instead you should turn your attention to secured credit cards. They offer you the chance to demonstrate the seriousness with which you now take your financial obligations. In time, it may be possible for you to obtain unsecured cards.
Hide Anything
Don’t try to hide anything if you are filing for bankruptcy, as this will hurt you in the long run. Whomever you use to file with must know everything there is to know about your finances, both good and bad. Never hide anything, and make sure you come up with a well devised plan for dealing with bankruptcy.
Before undertaking the bankruptcy process, ensure you have made the correct decision. You have better options. For example, you could try credit counseling. Bankruptcy can leave your credit history permanently marked. Prior to doing this you need to be sure you try everything else first to get your credit history into shape and to lessen the impact.
Learn the newest bankruptcy laws before filing. Laws are ever-evolving. You must stay current with bankruptcy laws if you want to be successful in your challenge. Your state will have a website to check, or a number you can call, to learn the latest changes in the bankruptcy laws.
It’s a good idea to meet with a number of bankruptcy lawyers before settling upon one. The majority of them offer free initial consultations. Make sure you meet with a licensed attorney rather than a paralegal or assistant, because it is illegal for these people to give legal advice. Considering several different lawyers can help find someone to trust.
Safeguard your home. Filing for bankruptcy will not always result in losing your home. There are mitigating factors, such as lose of value, or multiple mortgages. If you’re not sure, however, you can always study the particular homestead exemption regulations. You will learn everything you need to know.
When it gets time to think about bankruptcy, avoid using your retirement or savings to pay off the creditors or even make attempts to settle the debt. Avoid touching your retirement accounts whenever possible. While dipping into your savings is likely to be necessary, avoid wiping it out completely to prevent leaving yourself with little financial security in the future.
There are differences between Chapter 13 bankruptcy and Chapter 7; be sure to familiarize yourself with both. Research both types of bankruptcy online, and weigh the positives and negatives each would offer you. Engage your attorney in a conversation about each type, and ask him to answer any questions you may have before deciding which kind is right for you.
Chapter 7
Make sure you consider implications of bankruptcy before filing for Chapter 7. Once you complete a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will be free of any responsibility of debt, which could put all responsibility on someone close to you. Any co-debtor may well be held responsible for paying off the total remaining amount of the debt, though.
Check the accuracy of all information before it is filed. Just because you have told him something of importance that he will remember it. Do not hesitate to speak up; this is your hearing and your future is on the line.
It is not something you want to do; however, bankruptcy is a necessity for many struggling with debt. After reading this article, you should have learned some important information about the bankruptcy process. You will find this experience less difficult knowing that others have done it before you and survived by following these tips.