Whatever led you to declare bankruptcy is probably very sad, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a better life after bankruptcy. You are being given the opportunity to start again with a debt-free slate. Completing the bankruptcy process properly can lead to a new financial future.
Before undertaking the bankruptcy process, ensure you have made the correct decision. Look into credit counseling to see if it could help you work out of your debt without bankruptcy. Since your credit history will forever note the bankruptcy, you want to make sure that you have tried everything else before you take an action such as this, in order to minimize the effect it will have with regard to your credit history.
Always be honest when filling out paperwork. Resisting the temptation to hide income or valuable assets from the bankruptcy trustee is a smart way to avoid potential complications, penalties, and the possibility of being barred from re-filing in the future.
Always remind your lawyer of specifics that are important to your case. Don’t assume that they will recall every detail that you go over with them without a friendly reminder. Your case and future are affected by the attorney’s action, so never be afraid to communicate.
Unsecured Credit
You may still have trouble receiving any unsecured credit after a bankruptcy. If this happens, instead you should turn your attention to secured credit cards. This will allow you to start building a good credit history while minimizing the bank’s risk. Eventually, you could be able to obtain unsecured credit.
Determine which assets won’t be seized before filing for bankruptcy. The federal statutes covering bankruptcy can tell you exactly which assets are exempt from forfeiture to pay off creditors. Make sure that you review this list before you decide to file, to see if you can hang on to your most important possessions. This will ensure that you do not have any surprises once you have filed bankruptcy.
Be sure to hire an attorney before you embark upon filing for personal bankruptcy. The topic of bankruptcy is a complicated one and it is important that you know all about it. A qualified bankruptcy attorney can guide you through the filing process.
State Legislature
Learn all the latest laws before you file bankruptcy. Make sure to get the most up-to-date information concerning the bankruptcy laws in your state. Review the state legislature web site or contact the state legislature office to keep abreast of changes in the law.
Most bankruptcy lawyers give free consultation, so try to meet with these types of lawyers before deciding on hiring one. Be certain to speak with an attorney, not their paralegal or law clerk, since they cannot give legal advice. Look for an attorney until you find one you feel comfortable with.
Be sure you have no other choice but to seek bankruptcy. It may be that all you really need to do is consolidate some of your debts. Bankruptcy is not a simple, breezy course of action that should be taken lightly. Your future credit will be affected by these actions. Thus, you must make certain that bankruptcy really is the only viable solution to your problems.
Filing for bankruptcy is not recommended when you have income more than your debts. Although you may see bankruptcy as a free pass to eliminate your debt, if you can slowly whittle away at your debt with your income, it will be much better than killing your credit score with a bankruptcy filing.
Repayment Plan
Look into all of your options before you choose to file for bankruptcy. Consult with a bankruptcy attorney to see if an interest rate reduction or debt repayment plan is an alternative to filing for bankruptcy. Loan modification plans can be helpful for those facing foreclosure. There are a lot of ways that your lender can assist you, such as reducing interest rates, eliminating late fees, or extending the term 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 should never feel shame for needing to file for bankruptcy. It is possible for those going through the bankruptcy process to feel unworthy, guilty or ashamed. But, there is nothing positive about feeling this way and it can actually affect your mental state. If you want to cope with your bankruptcy filing successfully, you must maintain a positive point of view.
After filing bankruptcy, many people refuse to use credit cards or get loans. That is not a great idea, because using credit builds better credit. Credit cards are necessary for proving that you have gained financial stability and for garnering mortgage and auto loan approvals. To start, use one credit card sparingly and pay it off in full each month.
You do not lose everything that you own when you decide to declare bankruptcy. Many times you will be allowed to keep your personal property. Some included items are: electronics, household furnishings, clothing and even jewelry. Depending on the state you are from, what kind of bankruptcy you’re filing, and your specific case, you could be allowed to keep bigger items, like your car or house.
When you file for bankruptcy, you want to be certain that your papers include every debt that you need to get discharged. If you fail to list a debt, it may not make it into your discharge. Double-check the paperwork before you file it. Otherwise, you might be liable for debts that you could have gotten rid of during bankruptcy.
As stated in the above article, anytime someone is forced into bankruptcy is never a happy situation. On the other hand, the new beginning that bankruptcy offers can lead to a new life story. By using the tips from the above article, you can turn bankruptcy into a positive turning point.