Are you facing the prospect of bankruptcy, but are intimidated by all of the options, legal terms, and stressful decisions? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll find the basics of personal bankruptcy filing, broken down into easy-to-understand language along with tips and advice for successful filing.
Don’t let bill collectors convince you that you are ineligible for bankruptcy. Debt collectors do not want you to file bankruptcy under any circumstances because it means that they will not get the money you owe them, so they will always tell you that you do not qualify when given the chance. The only way to truly know if you qualify is to do some research or speak with a bankruptcy attorney.
When it comes time for you to hire an attorney to deal with your bankruptcy, be sure to find one that has a ton of experience with personal bankruptcy. Learn about the charges you will have to pay, and how many of their associates will be working on your case.
Remember that certain kinds of debt won’t be discharged even after you have filed for bankruptcy. If you have outstanding student loans, owe child or spousal support, a divorce settlement agreement, or unpaid taxes, you will still be liable for these debts. Also, if you forget to list certain debts on your court documents, you won’t be able to add them in the future.
Meet with many different attorneys before making any decision on one. To do this, you must start looking well in advance of when you need to file. If you wait until the last minute, you will not have the time to find an attorney that will give you good advice, and one that is easy to work with.
As you are working to make the decision to file for personal bankruptcy, remember that it will affect your life for at least the next ten years. Bankruptcy should be used as a last resort and the decision to file not taken lightly. Carefully weigh your options before you make any decisions.
Knowing that you are required to disclose anything that you have sold, given away or transferred in the two years prior to filing can help you avoid a costly mistake. Full disclosure is required. Not disclosing everything can land you in jail or a discharge of your personal bankruptcy petition.
Do not wait too long to file for bankruptcy, if that is what you are going to do. By waiting a long period of time, you are just allowing your debt to keep piling up. Once you have decided that filing for bankruptcy is the right choice, start the process right away!
Explore all of the options available to you before you file for bankruptcy. Filling for bankruptcy can have some serious future implications. For instance, getting a mortgage application approved when you have previously been bankrupt will be tough to say the least. Therefore, you should thoroughly investigate all of the alternatives to bankruptcy. Perhaps you could borrow money from a family member or consolidate some of your debts.
Do not cosign on any type of loan during or after your bankruptcy. Because you cannot file for bankruptcy again for many years, you will be on the hook for the debt if the person for whom you are cosigning is unable to meet his or her financial obligation. You must do whatever you can to keep your record clean.
Consider hiring an attorney to help you. The laws surrounding personal bankruptcy can be complex at best and confusing and convoluted at worst. If you feel unsure of how to go about moving forward, consulting with an attorney may be the best move you can make. An attorney can be the guiding hand you need to make the process as smooth as possible.
If you have to get a new car while in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, don’t try to get approval for the most expensive car on the market. Your trustee won’t approve your plan if it includes a luxury vehicle, and you probably can’t afford a high car note anyway. Stick with a reliable, but cheap vehicle, to ensure you can afford your new purchase.
Don’t be embarrassed to admit the fact that you are bankrupt to your family and friends. Most people will be surprisingly sympathetic to your situation. After all, there have been several reports published that state that one third of the population on the USA are just one paycheck away from homelessness.
After reading this article, you now have a basic understanding of personal bankruptcy options and are armed with tips and tricks for navigating the complicated bankruptcy world. Keep this article on hand to refer to, when facing your legal decisions and you’ll be on your way to putting your savings back in the black.
