Are your debts out of control and you think that your only escape is bankruptcy? You don’t have to feel alone in this. Many people, over the past few difficult years, have found that bankruptcy is the only way to get out from under their mountain of debt. You are going to be given advice in this article that will help ensure the bankruptcy process goes properly.
Don’t pay tax requirements with your credit cards with the thought of starting the bankruptcy process afterward, without doing your research first. In most states, this is not dischargeable debt. Therefore, you will end up owing the IRS a lot of money. Rule of thumb is if the tax is dischargeable, then the debt will be dischargeable. So, there’s no reason to make use of a credit cards if it will not be discharged in bankruptcy.
Learn as much as you can about bankruptcy by going to informational websites. The U.S. Department of Justice and American Bankruptcy Institute are two such places to look. The greater your body of knowledge, the better prepared you will be to make the decision of whether or not to file and to make certain that if you do file, the process is a smooth one.
Try to make certain you are making the right choice prior to filing your petition. Debt advisors are one of the many other avenues you can consider. Bankruptcy stays on your credit for a whole decade, so if there are less drastic options that will solve your credit problems, it is in your best interest to make use of them.
Look for a bankruptcy lawyer that comes from a personal recommendation instead of someone random on the Internet or in the yellow pages. There are various companies that prey on the financially desperate, so you need to find someone you can trust to ensure the process goes smoothly,
If you’re going to file bankruptcy, you need an attorney. There are a lot of things to do during bankruptcy and that may be hard for you to understand on your own. A qualified bankruptcy attorney will guide you through the steps and help you do everything properly.
Look into all of your options before you choose to file for bankruptcy. Talk to a bankruptcy lawyer to see if a debt repayment plan or reduction in interest rates is a viable option for you instead of bankruptcy. You can apply for a modification of your mortgage if your home is going into foreclosure. The lender is able to help you in a number of ways, such as reducing interest rates, eliminating late charges, and even lengthening the loan, giving you more time to pay. When all is said and done, creditors want their money and find repayment plans preferable to not getting paid at all.
Before declaring bankruptcy, ensure that all other options have been considered. For example, you may want to consider a credit counseling plan if you have small debts. You may have luck negotiating lower payments by dealing directly with creditors, but be sure to document any get and new agreement terms in writing from each creditor.
If you are making more money than you owe, bankruptcy should not even be an option. It can seem like bankruptcy can be an easy way to avoid paying back your debts, however it leaves a serious mark in your credit report that can last between seven and ten years.
Chapter 7
File when the time is right. In bankruptcy filing, timing is quite important. There are occasions where it pays to delay and others where a quick decision is the best option. Speak with bankruptcy attorneys for a time frame for filing with your situation.
Before you decide to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you should consider what your bankruptcy might have on others, as your family and friends may be affected. Debts which you shared with another will not be your responsibility any longer if you file for personal bankruptcy under Chapter 7. Although, your creditors may insist that the co-debtor pay off the entire debt.
Remember from the beginning of this article? You aren’t the only one who is filing for bankruptcy. By reading this article, you have given yourself an advantage that many of these people lacked. Ensure the ease of the bankruptcy process with these tips.