Whatever leads you to bankruptcy is a sad tale, but that need not mean that’s the only story to tell for the rest of your life. The main purpose of filing is to start a new and improved financial situation. Learn how to make bankruptcy work for you, instead of allowing it to devastate your life.
Knowledge is power when you’re considering bankrupcy; there are many websites available to help you. The United States Department of Justice and American Bankruptcy Institute are both sites that provide free advice. By being well armed with the correct knowledge, you can be certain of the decision that you have made. Additionally, you will understand the processes necessary to conduct your personal bankruptcy matters in a smooth manner.
Try to make certain you are making the right choice prior to filing your petition. You have better options. For example, you could try credit counseling. Bankruptcy will leave a permanent scar on your credit report and before you take this huge step, you should search through every available option first, to help try and limit the damage to your credit.
Learn all the latest laws before you file bankruptcy. Laws are ever-evolving. You must stay current with bankruptcy laws if you want to be successful in your challenge. Check the website of your state’s legislation or get in contact with your local office to learn more about these important changes.
Always weigh your options carefully prior to deciding to dive head first into filing a bankruptcy claim. For example, you want to look into credit counseling. This is the best option for small debts. It is sometimes possible to negotiate smaller payment by yourself. If you do this, make sure you save a written record of debt modifications that are negotiated.
It is important to protect your home when filing bankruptcy. Bankruptcy filings do not necessarily mean that you have to lose your house. It may be possible to keep your home if the value has depreciated, or there is a second mortgage. You are still going to want to check into homestead exemption either way just in case.
Be sure that bankruptcy really is your best option. Perhaps consolidating your existing debt can make it easier to manage. Bankruptcy is a stressful process. You will have trouble getting credit down the line. Personal bankruptcy should be undertaken as a last resort when no other workable options are available to you.
Chapter 13
Find out more about Chapter 13. With a consistent income source and less than $250k in debt, try filing for Chapter 13. When you file for Chapter 13, you can use the debt consolidation plan to repay your debts, while retaining your real estate and your personal property. The plan is usually for a term of three to five years, and a discharge will be granted at the end of that term. Stay mindful that should you for any reason miss even one plan payment, your whole case is going to get thrown out by the court system.
It is important to look at your financial situation from all possible angles before you decide to file for bankruptcy. Find out if you can receive a reduced interest rate or altered repayment plan instead of bankruptcy filing. Loan modification can help you get out of foreclosure. Sometimes your lender will work with you to help pay off your debt by giving you a lower interest rate, forgiving late fees, or extending the time period of your loan. When all is said and done, the creditors want their money, so sometimes it’s best to deal with a repayment plan than with a bankruptcy debtor.
You can take out a mortgage or car loan while filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Of course, it’s difficult. You will be required to meet a trustee and be approved for a new loan. You need to show them why and how you can handle paying back the new loan. You also need to be prepared to answer questions about your need for the new item.
If you are forced to file for bankruptcy, you should avoid being ashamed of yourself. Bankruptcy can sometimes leave people feeling guilty, ashamed and alone. But, such emotions get you nowhere, and they can cause significant mental issues to emerge. Try to keep a positive attitude during this tough time and you will be able to better cope with bankruptcy.
Do some research about bankruptcy laws before filing for bankruptcy. There are many pitfalls you can easily fall into, such as transferring away assets to prevent them from being included in the filing. In addition, it is unlawful for the filer to increase the amount of debt they are carrying on their credit cards right before they file.
You should immediately vow to be more financially responsible before you actually file for bankruptcy. In other words, you do not want to waste your efforts here by starting to ring up more and more debt. In the course of a personal bankruptcy filing, your creditors and the court will examine your credit history right up to the filing date. Having recent good financial behavior, regardless of how short of a time period, is better than no good behavior at all.
Just because you file for bankruptcy it does not follow that you must lose everything you own. You will be able to keep your personal property. Things like jewelry, clothes, and electronics are included in this category. It is even possible that your home and one car will be safe, depending on the laws in your state, your exact financial situation, and the Chapter which you file under.
If you are about to file for bankruptcy, you have probably been through tough times lately. That said, filing for bankruptcy can be a positive turning point in your life. Bankruptcy is not the end; by applying some or all of the tips in this article, you will make the process much smoother and your financial recovery that much faster.
This is a limited-time offer. We are not able to guarantee availability if you wait!
