The decision to file for personal bankruptcy should not be taken lightly! Do not file unless you fully understand the consequences and implications. Apply the advice from this article to go down the right path. Whenever you have a difficult decision to make, you can use information like what is in this article to make a smart choice.
Don’t use a credit card to pay off your taxes before filing for bankruptcy. In a lot of places, the debt cannot be discharged, and you may still owe money to the IRS. Bear this in mind; if the tax can be discharged, then the debt can be as well. So as you can see, in this situation there is no need to use the card when the debt will be discharged when you file for bankruptcy.
Think through your decision to file for bankruptcy carefully before going ahead with it. Debt advisors are one of the many other avenues you can consider. Bankruptcy stays on your credit for a whole decade, so if there are less drastic options that will solve your credit problems, it is in your best interest to make use of them.
If you are faced with the choice of filing for bankruptcy or using your emergency fund or retirement accounts to pay creditors, opt to file for bankruptcy. Unless there are no other options, your retirement funds should never be touched. If you do have to dig into your savings, make sure that you leave enough to sustain you and your family for a couple of months.
Do not hesitate to remind your lawyer of any details regarding your case. Chances are that you may have forgotten to tell them about certain specifics that may be important to your filing. Speak up. This is your life, and your future depends on it.
Familiarize yourself with the bankruptcy code before you file. The laws are constantly undergoing changes, so you must stay on top of them if you are going to file for personal bankruptcy correctly. To know what these changes are, go to your state’s website or contact the legislative offices.
Know your rights when filing for bankruptcy. Bill collectors can try to scare you into believing that your debt will not be cleared. Only a small number of debts are not dischargeable, including student loans and child support obligations. If a collector tries to convince you that some other type of debt, such as a credit card, is non-discharagable, get the company’s information and send a report to your state attorney general’s office.
Do not use the word “shame”, if you go bankrupt. It is not uncommon for bankruptcies to elicit feelings of guilt, remorse and embarrassment. These feelings, however, are of no benefit to anyone, and they can be detrimental to your mental health. If you want to cope with your bankruptcy filing successfully, you must maintain a positive point of view.
Consider every option prior to filing for bankruptcy. For example, you may want to think about credit counseling. You can get assistance from non-profit companies. They can work with those you owe money to in order to give you lower payments and lowered interest rates, too. You pay the organization, and they pay creditors for you.
If you intend to file bankruptcy soon, you may want to discontinue paying all debts. You might be legally unable to file for bankruptcy if you were still paying your creditors ninety days ago, or your family members a year ago. Do your research and figure out the laws for you.
As you’ve seen from this article, there is more than one way to go about filing for personal bankruptcy. Don’t be overwhelmed by the great wealth of information available to you. Take time to think about what you have read here. You will be more likely to make beneficial and thoughtful decisions as a result.