There are good and bad feelings associated with bankruptcy. On one hand, having people go through all of your personal financial information can be formidable. On the other, you get to enjoy the peace that comes when the bill collectors stop calling you. If you would like to make filing for personal bankruptcy much easier, simply follow the steps we present here.
It is important to remind your lawyer of any details that may be important to your case. Don’t just assume that the attorney will remember it automatically. Ultimately, this is your bankruptcy and your financial future, so never hesitate to advocate on your behalf.
Have a good look around the Internet to see what information is relevant to you regarding bankruptcy. The U.S. DOJ, the NACBA, and the ABI all have useful information. As with everything in life, the more you know about filing a claim, the better off you’ll be. You can properly prepare when you know what you’re preparing for.
Ask for a free consultation with your bankruptcy attorney and ask questions about experience and education. Most attorneys offer free consultations, so meet with a number of them before you retain one. Do not make any final decisions until every question you have has been answered. It is not necessary to decide immediately after your consultation. Consulting with several attorneys will also help you find someone you trust.
It is wise to meet with several lawyers before making a final decision, take advantage of the free consultations to find one that is a good fit for you. Never settle for speaking with a paralegal or an assistant. They are not trained, nor allowed, to pass on legal advice. Look for an attorney until you find one you feel comfortable with.
Unsecured Debt
If filing bankruptcy is in your future, don’t waste any savings you may have attempting to pay off your debts. You should make every effort to leave your retirement accounts untouched until your retire. You may have withdraw from your savings every now and then, but try to leave yourself some financial security for the future.
If you are going to be filing for bankruptcy, think about filing Chapter 13. If your source of income is regular and your unsecured debt is less than a quarter million, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is something you are able to file for. This type of bankruptcy protects your assets from seizure and lets you repay your credits over the course of a few years. Lasting anywhere from three to five years, this plan will allow you to be discharged from unsecured debt. Stay mindful that should you for any reason miss even one plan payment, your whole case is going to get thrown out by the court system.
It is possible to get an auto loan or mortgage during the repayment period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, there are steps which must be taken to ensure you are within the law of bankruptcy. Before you can take out a new loan, you will have to clear it with your trustee. You need to develop a budget and show that you will be able to afford the new payment. An explanation of need will also be necessary.
Credit Counseling
Determine which of assets are safe from seizure and which are not before filing for personal bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Code provides a listing of the various asset types that are not included in the bankruptcy process. Prior to filing for bankruptcy, it is critical that you go over this list, so that you know if you can expect any of your most valuable possessions to be seized. If you are not aware of the rules, you could be setting yourself up for a lot of stress when your most important possessions are taken in the bankruptcy.
There are a lot of things to consider prior to filing for bankruptcy. One option to consider is credit counseling. You can get the help you need from a variety of non-profit credit counseling companies. They’ll talk to creditors and strive to get both your payments and interest rates lowered. You can even pay your creditors through them.
It is important to know that you may bet better off filing for bankruptcy than continuing to be in debt. Bankruptcies can remain on your credit reports for 10 years, you can jump right into repairing your credit. Among the advantages of bankruptcy is that of a clean slate.
There are benefits and detriments to filing bankruptcy. No matter your reason for going through with it, remember that information is essential to the whole process. You will have an easier time with your bankruptcy filing thanks to this article’s tips. Utilize this advice, and you’ll discover that you’ll be feeling a lot better.
Be sure you know how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 differ. If Chapter 7 is what you file, your debts will get eliminated entirely. Any ties that you have with creditors will be dissolved. In a Chapter 13, though, you’ll be put on a payment plan for up to 60 months before being free of your debts. Both options have advantages and drawbacks, so do your research before deciding.