Tips To Help You Survive Personal Bankruptcy
Losing some of your valuable possessions, such as jewelry or vehicles, can make you very fearful. When you file for personal bankruptcy, you will be able to sort out your finances and end calls from debt collectors. This article provides some helpful tips to help you get through the process.
When it gets time to think about bankruptcy, avoid using your retirement or savings to pay off the creditors or even make attempts to settle the debt. Retirement accounts should never be touched if it can be helped. Dipping into savings may need to happen, just don’t totally wipe it out, or you might not have much financial security later.
Free Consultations
Find a bankruptcy attorney who offers free consultations, and ask lots of questions. Seek free consultations from a handful of lawyers, before deciding which one to hire. Make your decision after all of your questions have been answered. After your consultation, take your time to make your decision. This allows you time to speak with numerous lawyers.
You may have heard bankruptcy referred to differently, either as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Learn the differences between the two before filing. Under Chapter 7 type bankruptcy, all debts are forgiven. Any ties that you have with creditors will be dissolved. Chapter 13 is different, though. This type of bankruptcy entails an agreement to pay off your debts for five years prior to wiping the slate clean. It is important that you understand the differences between the different types of bankruptcy, so that you can decide which option is best for you.
Your most important concern is to protect your home. You do not have to lose your home in the process of a bankruptcy. Whether you get to keep your home depends on a few things, including its value and whether you have debts like a second mortgage or HELOC. If this is not the case, find out more about Homestead Exemptions you might qualify for if you meet certain financial requirements.
If you make more money than what you owe, filing for bankruptcy is not a good option. Although bankruptcy might seem to be an easy way of being able to pay for your debts, you must remember that it is something that will remain roughly about 7 to 10 years in your credit report.
Chapter 7
Make sure you consider implications of bankruptcy before filing for Chapter 7. Once you complete a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will be free of any responsibility of debt, which could put all responsibility on someone close to you. However, the creditors could come after your co-signer and demand full payment for the debt.
Your trustee may be able to help you secure an auto loan or get a mortgage even though you have filed Chapter 13. There will, however, be obstacles. You will have to see your trustee and the approval for this new loan. Draw up a budget, demonstrating that you can afford the new loan payment. Be ready to justify the purchase that you need the loan for, too.
Check out every other possible solution before settling upon the idea of filing for personal bankruptcy. Keep in mind that a number of debt consolidation services aren’t legit, and will only worsen your debt. Use the tips you learned from this article to improve your financial situation and stay away from debt.