Information You Must Know Before Filing For Bankruptcy

By Jessie Dilgado


Debt is one of the scariest things to live with. Sometimes it happens quite quickly, from some financial problems to losing all control in a matter of weeks or months. Although it is a long and difficult process, there are ways to get through it unharmed and restore your finances. The following article will give you some pointers on what to do regarding bankruptcy if you are way over your head in debt.

Have a good look around the Internet to see what information is relevant to you regarding bankruptcy. The United States D.O.J., the A.B.I and the N.A.C.B.A. are all useful organizations willing to provide educational material. The more information you have, the more confident you can be about any decision you make and you will know that you are doing the best thing possible for your situation.

If you are going through a bankruptcy do not fall victim to guilt and pay off debts that you do not need to pay. Don't touch retirement accounts unless you don't have a choice. Dipping into savings may need to happen, just don't totally wipe it out, or you might not have much financial security later.

Try going to a personally recommended bankruptcy lawyer instead of using a phone book or the Internet. There are lawyers out there who will take advantage of your financial state and not deal honestly with you. Make sure your filing process goes as well as possible by finding a trustworthy lawyer.

Be aware that getting unsecured credit is going to be tough once you've gone through bankruptcy. This being the case, look at secured card options. Using a secured card not only helps to rebuild your credit, but it also keeps you from going more in debt with credit card bills. Unsecured credit may be offered to you quicker than you think after doing so.

Do not abandon hope. When you file for personal bankruptcy, you may even be able to retrieve personal property that has been repossessed. For example you may be able to get your car, electronics and even jewelry returned to you. If the property you own has been repossessed under 90 days before the bankruptcy filing, you may still be able to get it back. Interview and research attorneys before choosing one to help you with your bankruptcy.

Stay abreast of new laws that may affect your bankruptcy if you decide to file. These laws change regularly and you should stay up-to-date so you can make the best decisions. To learn how the law has changed recently, go online and check your state's website, or call the state government and ask them.

Make sure that you really need to file for bankruptcy. It might be possible to consolidate some of your debt instead. It can be quite stressful to undergo the lengthy process of filing for personal bankruptcy. You should be aware that there are some negative ramifications to it, like extreme damage to your credit score. You only want to file for bankruptcy after you have exhausted your other options for dealing with your debts.

If you are making more money than you owe, bankruptcy should not even be an option. Sure, bankruptcy can get rid of that debt, but it comes at the price of poor credit for 7-10 years.

Before declaring bankruptcy, it is important to know your rights. Do not take debt collectors at their word when they tell you that a specific debt can't be discharged through bankruptcy. Only a few kinds of debt, like student loans or child support, are ineligible for bankruptcy. If the debt collector tries to tell you that your debts, which do not fall into those categories, cannot be bankrupted, take a note of it, look up the debt type, and report them to your state's attorney general office.

You can take out a mortgage or car loan while filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There will, however, be obstacles. You will have to see your trustee and the approval for this new loan. It is important to make a budget and prove that you are able to afford the payment. You will also need to have a good reason why you need the item.

Keep in mind though that personal bankruptcy might prove a wiser choice for your credit history than keeping making late payments. While bankruptcy will haunt your credit history for up to ten years, your damaged credit will start healing right away. This is why people call bankruptcy a fresh start.

As you're well aware of by now, it doesn't take long to find yourself drowning in debt with no way out. This article should have been instrumental in helping you figure out what to do next for your financial path. You can make a true difference in your day-to-day life by following the advice we have presented here.




About the Author: