Advice For Those Consumers Contemplating A Bankruptcy Filing
Dealing with bankruptcy is very tough. The options available to you when your finances are challenged can be quite limited. Your credit score has been damaged and it can be difficult to get loan approvals. However, although difficult, it is not impossible to secure a loan.
You may still have trouble receiving any unsecured credit after a bankruptcy. If this happens to you, think about applying for a couple of secured credit cards. Having a credit card of any type will allow creditors to realize that you’re attempting to work in the right direction to repair your credit. Once you’ve built up a history of on-time payments, you may start getting unsecured credit again.
You must be absolutely honest when filing for personal bankruptcy. If you try to hide any of your information, it will eventually surface and cause you problems. It is necessary to be open regarding both the positive and negative aspects of your financial life. Lay everything out on the table so that you and your lawyer can devise a plan to get you out of this mess.
Don’t pay to for an initial consultation with a bankruptcy attorney, and thoroughly question each candidate. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so consult with a few before settling on one. Only choose a lawyer if you feel like your questions were answered. It’s isn’t necessary to make a choice right away. You can take as much time as you need to meet with different lawyers.
Chapter 7
You may have heard bankruptcy referred to differently, either as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Learn the differences between the two before filing. If you file using Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will get all your debts eliminated. Your former ties with creditors will cease to exist. If however you enter Chapter 13, you will go into a five year repayment program prior to your debts dissolving entirely. You need to be aware of the pros and cons of each type of bankruptcy so you can correctly select the best choice for your situation.
Meet with a few attorneys who offer free consultations before hiring one. Always ensure that the person you meet with is a real lawyer, not a legal assistant or paralegal. These people can’t give legal advice. Comparing different lawyers makes it possible to find one with whom you work well.
Look into filing 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. This lets you keep any real estate and personal property while you repay all your debts through a consolidation program. This lasts for three to five years and after this, your unsecured debt will be discharged. Remember that missing a payment to the plan will result in your case being dismissed.
If you are making more money than you owe, bankruptcy should not even be an option. Though bankruptcy may appear to be a good way to escape your debts, it does affect your credit negatively for a fairly long time.
Remember that bankruptcy isn’t the end of the world. Just look at Donald Trump. He has filed multiple times! Establishing a record of saving money and paying your debts on time will increase your credit worthiness. So begin saving your money and you will realize how much difference it makes when shopping for a home loan or car.