Weaving Your Way Out Of The Personal Bankruptcy Maze
You should never take the decision to claim personal bankruptcy lightly. It is very important that you have a grasp of all the details involved in filing personal bankruptcy. Use these tips to get on the right track. Research will help you deal with the tough decisions you need to make.
The primary catalyst for filing personal bankruptcy is having a large amount of debt that can’t be readily repaid. If you’re in this position, it is a good thing to familiarize yourself with the laws that apply in your area. The laws governing bankruptcy vary from state to state. For example, the personal home is exempt from being touched in some states, but not in others. Be sure to have some familiarity with the law in your jurisdiction.
Credit Card
Don’t use a credit card to pay off your taxes before filing for bankruptcy. The fact is that the credit card debt will be ineligible for discharge, and your tax debt may increase. The rule here is that if you can get the tax discharged then you can get the debt discharged. So, there’s no reason to make use of a credit cards if it will not be discharged in bankruptcy.
After a bankruptcy, you may not be able to receive any credit cards. If that is the case, you should try applying for one, or two secured cards. This will show other people that you’re serious when it comes to having your credit record in order. Eventually, you could be able to obtain unsecured credit.
Don’t hide assets or liabilities when filing for bankruptcy. 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. Lay everything out on the table so that you and your lawyer can devise a plan to get you out of this mess.
Any bankruptcy consultation should be free of charge. When you arrive at a consultation ask plenty of questions. You should also seek free consultations from several attorneys prior to choosing one. Only make a decision after you have met with several attorneys and all of your concerns and questions have been addressed. You don’t need to decide what to do right away. Consulting with several attorneys will also help you find someone you trust.
Hire a lawyer if you plan on filing for bankruptcy. It is unlikely that you will be able to comprehend all the various rules and regulations involved in bankruptcy law. A qualified bankruptcy attorney will guide you through the steps and help you do everything properly.
Talk to a lot of different bankruptcy lawyers; most of them will give you a free consultation. Talk to the lawyer and not his assistant, who may not be legally able to help you. Be sure to check out a number of lawyers so that you will find one who is just right for you.
If you’re unsure, then you need to learn what a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can do for you, as opposed to what Chapter 13 does. Get a good grasp of the pluses and minuses each type of filing involves by researching both of them extensively. Ask your bankruptcy lawyer to clarify anything you don’t understand before making a final decision about which type of bankruptcy to file.
As this piece suggests, personal bankruptcies come in different packages. Don’t stress about the amount of information before you. Take some deep breaths, and think about what you’ve just learned. That way, you stand a better chance of making a wise decision.