Filing for bankruptcy can be a stressful and lonely time. Usually, people don’t want to share news of their bankruptcy with others, so they suffer in silence. You don’t have to do that. If you have the right information about bankruptcy, you can feel more confident about your choice to file. Here are some tips for dealing with bankruptcy, in order to set your mind at ease.
Don’t hide assets or liabilities when filing for bankruptcy. Wherever you file, that court has to be made aware of all details regarding your finances, positive and negative. Be completely honest in your paperwork to avoid a situation that may end in severe punishment.
Make sure that you pay all of your bills on time, since this will contribute to 35 percent of what is on your credit report. This looks good if you are trying to rebuild your credit after you have had to file for bankruptcy. Making on-time payments will increase your credit score.
Don’t think of bankruptcy as the ruination of your financial future. Once your bankruptcy has been discharged, you can begin to work on re-building your credit right away. By continuing to make timely monthly payments and not applying for new credit, you can significantly raise your credit score within 6 months. And, if you maintain good credit for that amount of time, you may find it possible to get approval for loans to make large purchases, such as a home or car.
An important tip regarding personal bankruptcy is, gaining an understanding of what sorts of debts can, and cannot be included in a discharge. By realizing that some obligations are not considered dischargeable under the bankruptcy code, it is possible to make a wiser, more informed choice when it comes to making the decision to file a petition.
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.
Be fully educated about the rules of bankruptcy. If the courts were to find that you have disregarded any of the rules in place, your petition could be dismissed. Laws prohibit picking and choosing some debts to pay off prior to filing for bankruptcy. Family members cannot be paid off within one year of filing and creditors are limited to ninety days.
Make sure that you have all of your essential financial information and documentation in hand before you file for bankruptcy. Your bankruptcy attorney will need access to your financial information and other important documents, in order to complete your petition. This information will include: a detailed list of your monthly expenses, information about any real estate that you own, bank statements and any documentations pertaining to the ownership of a house or automobile.
Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure that you hire the services of an experienced local bankruptcy attorney. Hiring a bankruptcy attorney who’s located geographically close to you will mean that you can contact him or her with ease. You will then be able to meet up with your attorney in person, in order to discuss your petition in greater detail.
Be weary of creditors once you have filed for bankruptcy. These companies think because you have filed for bankruptcy, you cannot file it again for a long time. You are not risky to lend to. By accepting loans from these companies, you are putting yourself at risk for more financial turmoil.
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.
Don’t wait until the last minute to file bankruptcy. Often, people try to act like they are not in financial straits. They imagine the issues will blow away, but they do not. It doesn’t take long for debt to become unmanageable, and not taking care of it could eventually lead to wage garnishment or foreclosure. When you make the connection that your debt level is too high, contact an attorney that specializes in bankruptcy as soon as possible, to see what can be done.
If you want to file for bankruptcy, or already have, you already know how hard it can be to talk about with other people. The tips in this article can give you the knowledge you need to feel better about bankruptcy, so that you can open up to your loved ones about your financial picture.
