Personal bankruptcy can be a scary situation for those who are facing repossession from the government and constant calls from debt collectors. If you find yourself in a hole that you cannot dig yourself out of, consider filing for personal bankruptcy. Read on for helpful tips on this situation.
After filing for bankruptcy, check your credit report to make sure that it was reported the way that it should have been. You want to make sure that any debts that were part of your bankruptcy are now labeled “BK” so creditors know you no longer owe that money.
You should never pay for your first consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. Make the most of this free consultation by asking lots of questions. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so consult with a few before settling on one. Only make a decision after you have met with several attorneys and all of your concerns and questions have been addressed. You do not need to make a decision immediately after the consult. You could even go to different lawyers for advice.
Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure that you sort out your taxes. When you file, the bankruptcy trustee will need to see your tax return from last year and possibly even your tax return from two years ago. If you have these documents ready, your bankruptcy attorney will be able to ensure that the whole bankruptcy process is carried out as quickly as possible.
If you choose to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, be sure that the amount of your monthly payments is within your reach. If you set a payment that is more than you can afford, you may face a court order of liquidation of all of your assets. You will lose everything by falling behind on payments.
Look into proper timing. You can keep your tax refund even when filing bankruptcy. You have to time it just right to do so. Wait until after your tax form has been processed, and you have received your tax return. One of the sneakiest things that a trustee does is to take an income tax return that debtors rely on. Waiting can keep that money in your pocket.
When you are thinking about filing bankruptcy, always be honest about everything. Do not think that hiding assets or income will help your case for bankruptcy. It could turn out that the court may just dismiss your petition, and you will not be able to file again to have those debts listed.
Start taking calls from bill collectors. You may have been avoiding calls from bill collectors, but if you are filing bankruptcy you may need to speak to them. You need to have all of your debts laid out so that your lawyer can get to work involving them in your case. If you don’t include a debt, it will not be discharged, and you will still have to pay it.
Visit your primary care doctor for a complete physical prior to filing for bankruptcy. If you wait until after you begin the process, you will not be able to claim your medical bills on your bankruptcy. This is especially helpful if you do not have any kind of health insurance.
Ignore the people who put you down for declaring yourself bankrupt. These people cannot possible know the troubles you’ve experienced. By filing for bankruptcy you, are taking control of financial future. Also, dealing with the mistake of your past. Remember, for every person that looks at you with disgust, there is another person looking at you admiringly.
Never rely upon bill collectors to share accurate information about your debt and bankruptcy. Some unethical collectors tell consumers that their debts are exempt from bankruptcy rules, but this is actually only true for a few special kinds of debt. If a collection agency provides you with inaccurate information like this, report them to the Attorney General’s Office in your state.
Look into Chapter 12 bankruptcy if you are a family farmer. The purpose of this chapter is to reorganize the farming business so that it can remain operative. Chapter 12 bankruptcy can be filed by single-owner farms or partnerships. Be aware that there is a ceiling on the amount of debt for these filings.
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.
As said in the beginning of the article, personal bankruptcy is always an option for those who cannot pay back their debt. Do not assume that you will be left homeless or without any possessions, if you file a claim. More people are facing this option, regardless of their income.
