Looking To File For Personal Bankruptcy? Check Out These Tips!
You might fear the IRS because they could seize assets, such as your car. Put an end to the collection calls and come up with a plan that may involve filing for bankruptcy. Continue reading for some useful tips to help guide you through this potentially stressful process.
Be certain you are making the right choice before you file for bankruptcy. Other available options include consumer credit counseling. Bankruptcy can leave your credit history permanently marked. Prior to doing this you need to be sure you try everything else first to get your credit history into shape and to lessen the impact.
The most important tip a person filing for personal bankruptcy can remember and follow is to be completely transparent in all dealings. Not hiding any assets or income is essential for avoiding possible penalties and your ability to re-file at some point in the future.
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. Regardless of the agency you file with, ensure that you tell them all they should know about your current financial situation, regardless of how good or bad it is. Don’t withhold information, and create a smart way of coping with the reality of the situation.
Check into less drastic solutions prior to declaring bankruptcy. For instance, a consumer credit counseling program may be a better bet if your debts are relatively small. You might also be able to negotiate lower payments yourself, but make sure that you get written records of any debt modifications to which you agree.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Make sure that you understand the difference between Chapter 13 bankruptcy and Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debts are all eliminated. All happenings with creditors will disappear. But, with Chapter 13, you will be in repayment plan for about 5 years prior to any debts you have being totally dissolved. Both options have advantages and drawbacks, so do your research before deciding.
Your most important concern is to protect your home. Bankruptcy filings do not necessarily mean that you have to lose your house. For instance, if your home value has dropped recently, or even if you happen to hold a second mortgage, you may not necessarily lose the home. Otherwise, try looking into house exemptions that may let you remain in the home if you meet certain financial threshold requirements.
You could see about filing for Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy. If you have less than a quarter of a million dollars in debt that is unsecured and a regular income, you are eligible to file a Chapter 13. This allows you to keep possession of your real estate and property and repay your debt through a debt plan. The window for Chapter 13 repayments is typically 3-5 years. At the end of this time, any unsecured debt is discharged. Just know that missing one payment could cause your case to be dismissed.
Once you have completed the bankruptcy filing, you should take time to do something you enjoy. Filing is the most intensive step in the process, so afterwards it’s important to let go of some of your stress. This stress could actually cause depression, if you don’t combat it. Once the process if over, your life will improve.
Filing for personal bankruptcy is an option, but use it as a last resort after exploring all of your other options. Be wary of debt consolidation services, some of these services are scams and are only after your money. Take what you’ve just learned to heart, and make wise financial decisions going forward.