Having to file for personal bankruptcy is never a positive experience. A bankruptcy will stay on your record for years and can affect the types of credit you are able to get. Don’t let bankruptcy overwhelm you; the article below can help.
Credit Card
Filing for bankruptcy is something many people are forced to do when there debts become too much of a burden, and they can no longer afford to pay them. If this is the case for you, you should begin to investigate the legislation in your state. When it comes to bankruptcy, states have varying laws. Some states may protect you home, and some may not. Be sure to have some familiarity with the law in your jurisdiction.
Do not use a credit card to manage your tax issues and then try to file bankruptcy. In most states, this debt won’t be discharged, and you could end up owing the IRS a whole lot more. The rule here is that if you can get the tax discharged then you can get the debt discharged. Therefore, you have no reason for use of a credit card, if the amount is to be discharged in due process of the bankruptcy.
Do not use your retirement fund or savings to pay off creditors. Retirement funds should be avoided at all costs. 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.
Don’t hesitate to give your attorney a heads-up about something she has missed. You should not take for granted that your lawyer will remember every important detail that you have have told him earlier without a reminder. This is your future in their hands, so don’t be scared to mention it.
You might find it difficult to obtain an unsecured credit card or line after emerging from bankruptcy. If this is so, apply for a secured card or two. You can exhibit your desire to rebuild your credit this way. After some time passes they may be willing to offer you unsecured credit.
Try to find a bankruptcy attorney who is personally recommended, rather than off the Internet, or out of the yellow pages. Bankruptcy attracts a lot of fly-by-night firms that take advantage of desperate people, and a word-of-mouth recommendation makes it more likely that your bankruptcy will go smoothly.
Don’t file for bankruptcy until you know what assets of yours can and can’t be seized. The Bankruptcy Code lists assets considered exempt from being affected by bankruptcy. You can determine exactly which of your possessions are at risk by consulting this list before you file. 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.
Chapter 7
Do not abandon hope. Many times you can get repossess property back once bankruptcy has been filed. Filing for bankruptcy may allow you to regain ownership of recently repossessed property. Speak to a lawyer who will be able to help you file the necessary paperwork.
You may have heard bankruptcy referred to differently, either as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Learn the differences between the two before filing. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debts are all eliminated. Any ties you have concerning creditors will definitely 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. It is worth while to take your time to research both types of bankruptcy to decide which option works best for you, and your financial situation.
As this solid advice demonstrates, there are other options besides bankruptcy. The advice in this article will be valuable as you work to find another financial path. Use the information in this article to change your financial future and never have to worry about credit again.