Bankruptcy is very common in today’s economic climate. This is due to the current financial climate. In order to get through the process safely and with a minimum of fuss, you are going to want to thoroughly educate yourself on bankruptcy before you try to file for it. If you read this article, you will learn what you need to know.
A lot of people find themselves needing to file bankruptcy when they are unable to pay their bills. When you are faced with this issue, begin to familiarize yourself with your state’s laws. When it comes to bankruptcy, states have varying laws. In certain states if you file for bankruptcy your home remains protected, but the laws vary depending on where you reside. Do not file before learning about the bankruptcy laws in your state.
It is important that you increase your knowledge on personal bankruptcy by reviewing websites that provide reliable information. The United States Department of Justice, American Bankruptcy Institute, along with many other websites can provide you with the information you need. You will find that the process of filing for personal bankruptcy is easier and less of a hassle with the more information on the subject you gather ahead of time.
It is important to list all your assets and liabilities during the bankruptcy proceeding. Failure to do so will only cause you problems in the end. All of your financial information, be it positive or negative, must be disclosed to those in charge of filing your case. They need to know it all. Don’t withhold information, and create a smart way of coping with the reality of the situation.
Chapter 13
Make sure that you understand the difference between Chapter 13 bankruptcy and Chapter 7 bankruptcy. All debt will be eliminated with Chapter 7. This type of bankruptcy ends any relationship you might have with creditors. Filing Chapter 13 differs by requiring you to agree to a 60 month plan to repay your debts before they are totally eliminated. You need to determine which type of bankruptcy is right for you given your unique financial situation.
It is important to understand clearly the benefits of a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy. Get a good grasp of the pluses and minuses each type of filing involves by researching both of them extensively. If you do not understand what you are reading, talk to your attorney before making that serious decision.
Thing about filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you are receiving money on a regular basis and your unsecured debt is under $250,000, you may be able to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy permits you to remain the owner of your properties, while allowing you to repay your debt using a debt consolidation loan. Typically, any plan you develop will last around 3-5 years. Afterwards, any remaining unsecured debts will be discharged. Remember that if you even miss one payment that’s due under this plan, the court could dismiss the whole case.
After you have filed for bankruptcy, enjoy your life. So many people become stressed when they file. That stress can cause depression, if you don’t take care to avoid it. Your life will see improvement after you get past the bankruptcy.
See if your attorney can help you lower your payments if you want to keep your vehicle. Lower payments can sometimes be structured into a Chapter 7 solution. In order for this to be considered, your car loan must be one with high interest, you need a solid work history and the car should have been bought 910 days or more prior to you filing.
If you are going to file for bankruptcy make sure you are prompt. It is all too common for people to hope that their financial difficulties will disappear if they don’t give them any attention. Personal debts can spiral out of control very quickly, and if you don’t take care of them, you may find yourself facing foreclosure or wage garnishment. As soon as you realize your debts far outweigh your income, call a bankruptcy lawyer to talk about what your choices are.
Prior to filing, it is important that you know all about bankruptcy laws. As an example, it is prohibited for someone to transfer assets from the filer’s name for one year prior to filing. Other laws you need to know include debt-based regulations. You cannot increase debt via credit cards prior to filing a claim. Your finances basically have to remain frozen.
As noted in the beginning of the article, bankruptcy is a hot topic nowadays, mostly because of the state of the economy. In order to ensure the best decisions are made, use the tips in this article.