Tips To Consider If You Are Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy

By T. B. Smith August 1, 2023 Credit Repair 0 Comments

The process of filing for bankruptcy can bring both stress and relief into your life. A lot of people will go over your finances and find out details about your personal life. However, after this is over, you can restore your finances and be free of bill collectors. Follow this article for excellent tips on easing your bankruptcy.

Consider all options before deciding to file for personal bankruptcy. You can also avail yourself of other options, such as consumer credit counseling. If you file for bankruptcy, a mark is permanently left on your credit. Therefore, before you do this, you should utilize all the other options that you have.

Never shirk on the truth in your petition for bankruptcy. It is vital that you disclose all information about your assets and income so there are no delays or penalties, such as a court barring you from filing again later in the future.

Unsecured Credit

You might experience trouble with getting unsecured credit after filing for bankruptcy. In this event, you should attempt to apply for a secured card or two. This will be a demonstration of the seriousness with which you view rebuilding your credit rating. After a time, you are going to be able to have unsecured credit cards too.

Don’t pay to for an initial consultation with a bankruptcy attorney, and thoroughly question each candidate. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so talk to a few before making your decision. Don’t choose a lawyer until your questions about bankruptcy are sufficiently answered. It is not necessary to make a final decision right away. Take the time to meet with a number of attorneys.

Before you file, make sure you understand current bankruptcy laws. Bankruptcy laws change a lot and before making the decision to file, you need to know what you are getting yourself into. To learn how the law has changed recently, go online and check your state’s website, or call the state government and ask them.

If you can afford to pay your bills, bankruptcy is not a wise option. Filing for bankruptcy can really damage your credit in the long run, by staying on your report for up to ten years.

Carefully consider filing for bankruptcy on loans that have a co-signer, especially if that co-signer is a business associate, close friend or relative. When you file a Chapter 7, your debts will be dissolved. However, creditors can demand co-debtors pay the amount in full.

Debt Collectors

Understand the rights you have as a bankruptcy filer. Occasionally, debt collectors will attempt to convince you that your debt isn’t eligible for bankruptcy. Only a small number of debts are not dischargeable, including student loans and child support obligations. If any debt collectors tell you that their debts can’t be bankrupted, make a report with your state attorney general.

Bankruptcy laws are very exact and very important, so ensure that you’re well aware of all current laws before you file a petition. For instance, a filer cannot transfer assets to someone else for at least a year before filing. Moreover, a filer is prohibited from spending or incurring extra debt prior to their bankruptcy filing.

It is possible that a bankruptcy might actually be smarter over the long term than struggling month to month with consistently late or missing payments. Bankruptcies can remain on your credit reports for 10 years, you can jump right into repairing your credit. A major benefit of the bankruptcy process is the ability to essentially start over.

Credit Cards

Typically, people who have faced bankruptcy swear off credit cards. This is not a good decision on their part because credit cards help in building good credit. If you aren’t using any credit, then it will be very difficult to get your credit score high enough to be able to purchase things like a car or home in the future. The best way to help build your credit is to get one credit card and pay it off at the end of every billing cycle.

Produce a comprehensive list of everything you owe. You need this list to file for bankruptcy, so be certain you do not forget anything. Always go through your statements and get exact numbers. Take your time and make sure all the numbers are correct.

Carefully pick the lawyer you will use when filing for bankruptcy. This type of legislation is popular for the inexperienced. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure he or she is licensed and experienced. The Internet could be a great help in checking the disciplinary record of a particular lawyer, as well as his background and client ratings.

After a few months have passed since your bankruptcy finished, go to the credit reporting agencies and get your credit report. Look to see that the reports have accurately documented your discharge and other information. If you find any errors, contact the credit reporting agency to get them fixed immediately for the sake of your credit rating.

Chapter 7

If you find out that you don’t qualify for the Homestead Exemption after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file Chapter 13 in addition for your mortgage. In some cases, it may be best to convert your entire Chapter 7 case into a Chapter 13 case, so you should talk to your attorney about your next step.

Think about the pros and cons before filing. Just know that what you learn today is going to help you out a lot in learning about bankruptcy. Apply the tips from this article to help make your bankruptcy an easier process. Apply all of the knowledge you have gained from this article and you will be on your way to feeling more at ease about your bankruptcy.