Anyone who has experienced personal bankruptcy can tell you that it’s a very serious matter. Having to worry about debt and trying to pay your bills can take a toll on a person or their family. If you would like to avoid personal bankruptcy, or stop it once and for all, then read this article for advice.
Be aware that getting unsecured credit is going to be tough once you’ve gone through bankruptcy. If that is the case, you should try applying for one, or two secured cards. By doing this, you will be letting people know that you want to fix your credit score. If you pay your secured card off on time, you’ll eventually find that companies will start offering you unsecured credit.
Start planning for your life after bankruptcy now. The entire process can be very overwhelming, and leave you feeling like you have few to little options. You begin rebuilding your financial future right away. Get solid advice from trusted sources, be prepared to work hard at it, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to dream again!
Before you make a final decision to file for bankruptcy, look into all the options that are available to help your financial situation. If you are buried under credit card debt, it can help to check out a debt-consolidation, or home-equity loan if you qualify. You can also try negotiating smaller payments on your debt until, your finances are better in control. Bankruptcy is always an option, but if you can alleviate your problems in another way, you will be able to avoid a major hit to your credit history.
If you have a credit card with your local credit union, it may be one that does not have to be given up due to bankruptcy. Check with your credit union to find out if the line of credit will continue after the bankruptcy is final. You still must be sure to include it on your application with your other debts.
Do not forget to be around those you love. Filing for bankruptcy, and all that comes with it, can be hard to handle at times. It is often overwhelming, and not quick. Some people may feel embarrassed or feel their self-esteem has taken a beating from it. Most people adopt a very negative attitude toward bankruptcy. This isn’t true though because when you isolate yourself you will just start to feel worse and may become depressed. So, even though you may be ashamed of the situation you are in, you should still be around those you love.
Don’t repay personal debt to friends and family before filing for bankruptcy. Although you may feel obligated to pay these people back first, it is not a wise decision. Because you must reveal this information when you file for bankruptcy, the trustee can legally ask for this money back or sue for it.
If you filed for bankruptcy, and now would like to restore your credit, be careful on how you do this. There are some legitimate companies out there that do want to help, and will. However, there are also very many companies that are just waiting to take advantage of people who are in a tough situation. So do your research very carefully, when trying to hire one of these companies.
Many people look at bankruptcy as an opportunity to get out of paying off their debts and a good way to start over. But, keep in mind that bankruptcy is a serious decision, and one that should be carefully considered. Bankruptcy will negatively impact your credit for seven to ten years, and even if you think you can get by without good credit, there are hidden uses for good credit you may not know about. Insurance companies, landlords and even prospective employers usually do a credit check before doing business with you!
You can still take out a car loan or mortgage while you are in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It is much harder. Before you can take out a new loan, you will have to clear it with your trustee. You will need to make a budget and prove that you will be able to afford your new loan payments. The odds are also good that you will be asked exactly why you’re purchasing a new item. Make sure you have a good reason.
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.
In conclusion, personal bankruptcy is an issue that scares a lot of people. No one likes debt looming over them and having to think about whether they will be able to continue their lifestyle. Aided with the advice from this article, personal bankruptcy can be avoided or defeated, creating peace of mind.
