Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that shouldn’t be undertaken without a lot of deliberation. It is important that you understand everything involved in filing bankruptcy. The information below can guide you. Whenever you have a difficult decision to make, you can use information like what is in this article to make a smart choice.
Visit web sites and read information to learn as much as possible about the topic of personal bankruptcy. The U.S. DOJ, the NACBA, and the ABI all have useful information. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to make the wise decisions needed for a successful bankruptcy.
The primary catalyst for filing personal bankruptcy is having a large amount of debt that can’t be readily repaid. If this sounds like you, start familiarizing yourself with your state laws. Each state has their own bankruptcy laws. For instance, your home might be protected in some states while you might lose it in others. Make sure you know the laws where you live before you file.
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. Having a credit card of any type will allow creditors to realize that you’re attempting to work in the right direction to repair your credit. Once creditors see that you are making an effort to restore your credit, they may allow you to get an unsecured card in the future.
Chapter 7
You need to educate yourself on the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. All debt will be eliminated with Chapter 7. All the things that tie you to creditors will go away. If however you enter Chapter 13, you will go into a five year repayment program prior to your debts dissolving entirely. Both options have advantages and drawbacks, so do your research before deciding.
Before making the decision to file for bankruptcy, be sure to do some research and learn all you can about the subject. There are many websites available that offer this information. The United States Justice Department, the ABI (American Bankruptcy Institute), as well as the NABCA (National Assoc. Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys) are excellent sources of information. Knowing is half the battle, after all, and these websites are the first step in learning what you need to know to make your bankruptcy smooth and stress-free.
Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure you absolutely need to. It may be that all you really need to do is consolidate some of your debts. Bankruptcy is not a simple, breezy course of action that should be taken lightly. You will have trouble getting credit down the line. You have to make certain that you absolutely have no other choice.
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself during your bankruptcy. Lots of debtors are stressed out when they’ve come to filing time. You do not want to have to deal with depression in addition to your financial troubles, so you should take steps to keep yourself happy. Once the process is complete your life will improve.
Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy will not prevent auto loans or mortgages from being obtained. Of course, it’s difficult. You have to meet with your trustee to get approval for the new loan. You need to show them why and how you can handle paying back the new loan. It will also be necessary to show why a new purchase needs to be made.
You should avoid paying your taxes with credit cards and then immediately file for bankruptcy. In most states, this debt won’t be discharged, and you could end up owing the IRS a whole lot more. One thing that you should remember is that if your tax is dischargable, your debt will also be dischargeable. There isn’t any reason to use a credit card to pay the tax bill since the bill can be discharged anyway.
Bankruptcy can get a bit tricky at times, but as long as you’re using what you learned here, the process should be a lot easier. Do not get overwhelmed by the plethora of information available to you. Take you time to figure out everything and keep these tips in mind. This makes it more likely that you will make rational decisions that will have long-term financial benefit.