There is not much scarier than a mountain of debt. It is possible for debt problems to escalate out of control, overnight. Unfortunately, it is not simple to fix. Read on to find tips, insight, and valuable information for clearing your debt and getting a firm grasp on your finances.
Make certain that you comprehend everything regarding personal bankruptcy by studying online. Many sites, including the U.S. Department of Justice, American Bankruptcy Institute, along with many other websites can provide you with the information you need. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to make the best decisions and ensure that your bankruptcy goes smoothly.
People generally mostly feel the need to get a bankruptcy filed for when they have more money owed than they can get. If this sounds familiar, you should read up on the bankruptcy laws in your state. Bankruptcy laws vary from state to state. In some areas, your residence may be completely exempt, but in others, it will not be. Familiarize yourself with the bankruptcy laws of your state prior to filing.
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. In many areas of the country, this debt will not be dischargeable, and you could be left owing a significant amount to the IRS. Generally speaking, debt incurred to pay taxes and the tax bills themselves are treated the same in a bankruptcy. Just because your credit card could be discharged in bankruptcy does not mean you should use it.
Always be honest when filling out paperwork. Don’t hide income or assets from your lawyer or the bankruptcy trustee or you may find yourself in legal trouble.
Keep working to improve your situation. If you file for bankruptcy, you might be able to reclaim certain property that has been repossessed, such as your car, electronics or jewelry. You should be able to get your possessions back if they have been taken away from you within 90 days before you filed for bankruptcy. Talk to your lawyer to find out how to go about properly filing a petition.
You can find a wealth of information concerning personal bankruptcy by searching for websites which offer information about it. The United States Department of Justice, American Bankruptcy Institute, along with many other websites can provide you with the information you need. By having more knowledge, you can make the right decision, as well as be sure you are ensuring that your personal bankruptcy case goes smoothly.
When you do meet with a lawyer make sure that they answer all of your questions and that they do not charge you for consultation alone. Since most attorneys offer free consultations, meet with a few attorneys before deciding who to hire. Only make a decision after you have met with several attorneys and all of your concerns and questions have been addressed. There is no need to offer an immediate hire, so take your time. This allows you time to speak with numerous lawyers.
Before pulling the trigger on bankruptcy, be sure that other solutions aren’t more appropriate for your case. If you owe small amounts of money, you can join a counseling program or straighten your finances out by yourself. It is also possible to do your own debt negotiations; however, be sure to get everything in writing.
There are differences between Chapter 13 bankruptcy and Chapter 7; be sure to familiarize yourself with both. Research them online to see the positive and negative aspects of 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.
Ensure that you are providing genuine details when filing a bankruptcy petition, because honesty is the best policy when dealing with bankruptcy. Do not try to shield some assets or income from your creditors. This can get you in serious trouble and prevent your bankruptcy petition altogether.
Chapter 13
Consider Chapter 13 bankruptcy, if you chose to file. With a regular income and unsecured debt below $250,000, Chapter 13 is probably best for you. This lets you keep any real estate and personal property while you repay all your debts through a consolidation program. Expect to make payments for up to 5 years before your unsecured debts are discharged. Remember that missing a payment to the plan will result in your case being dismissed.
Don’t wait until it is too late to file for bankruptcy. What a lot of people do is ignore the fact that they are in a financial crisis and think that their debt is not going to catch up to them. Being in debt can quickly put you into very deep hole and if you do not rectify the situation fast, you could face wage garnishment or even worse, foreclosure. As soon as you stop denying that your debt is unmanageable, seek the advice of a good bankruptcy attorney.
Do not hesitate to remind your lawyer of any details regarding your case. Don’t assume that they’ll remember something important later without having a reminder. Don’t fear speaking up since it affects your case and future.
Bankruptcy will erase debts. Don’t create any new debts before filing for it. This fraudulent practice is a demonstration of bad faith. Debts you incur this way will likely not be discharged in a bankruptcy, and you will still have to repay them.
One thing to consider is that filing bankruptcy might be a better alternative to making late payments or missing payments completely. Of course, bankruptcy hurts your credit for up to ten years, but you can begin to re-build your credit immediately. This is why people call bankruptcy a fresh start.
A lot of people who file for bankruptcy swear they will never use credit of any kind ever again. The fallacy in this thinking is that credit is needed to improve your credit history again. If you never use credit, you won’t be able to rebuild the good credit that you will need to make future purchases. You just have to realize that proper planning is going to have to take place and that you are going to have to start back up one step at a time.
Getting unsecured credit post-bankruptcy will likely be difficult. If you find that to be the situation, consider requesting secured cards. This will show people that you are serious about getting your credit record back in order. In time, it may be possible for you to obtain unsecured cards.
Bankruptcy Filing
Prior to going through with a bankruptcy filing, be sure to list out every one of your expenditures and debts. This will be the basis for your bankruptcy filing, so make sure you include all the debts you are aware of. Review your records to determine the precise amounts that you owe. It can be difficult or even impossible to discharge your debts if you report them inaccurately; be sure that you double check your figures.
When your financial situation starts to get really ugly, it can be easy to feel like you need help. Hopefully, this article’s advice has shown you that there are still plenty of steps you can take to improve your situation even when bankruptcy is in the picture. Use the advice that you have been given to make some changes in your life.
Research what assets are exempt from seizure before you decide to declare bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Code lists the kinds of assets which are exempted when it comes to the bankruptcy process. Be well prepared for bankruptcy by reviewing this list. It will tell you whether are not the things you value most are subject to seizure. Without reading the list, you may be shocked at which possessions can be taken from you.