Perhaps you are curious about whether or not filing for personal bankruptcy is a viable option for improving your financial situation in the future. In order to make an accurate assessment under your particular set of circumstances, knowledge is critical. Apply the tips and advice in the article below and you will soon have what it takes to make intelligent choices, concerning the role that a bankruptcy filing can play in your financial life.
Decide whether you want to file for Chapter 7, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
As an individual, you may do either one. Find out as much as you can about each type of bankruptcy, so you are able to make a choice that you can live with in the future.
If you have had to file for bankruptcy, you should assess the reasons why to make sure that you do not end up in that situation again. For example, if it was for paying too many bills late, you can set up automatic payments so you will not have that problem in the future.
Be prepared to see your name in the news when you file bankruptcy.
While the story isn’t going to make front-page headlines unless you are a very prominent or famous figure, all bankruptcy cases are public records. As such, they are often reported in a section of local newspapers. The good part is that not everyone reads that part.
Before making the decision to file for bankruptcy, be sure you have considered alternative options.
There are numerous programs out there that may assist you with your debt, like a credit counseling program, a nonprofit group, government assistance, etc. You could even negotiate for lower payments. However, you should ensure that you always obtain a written record of all the changes to your debt that you’ve agreed to.
Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure that you hire the services of an experienced local bankruptcy attorney. Hiring a bankruptcy attorney who’s located geographically close to you will mean that you can contact him or her with ease. You will then be able to meet up with your attorney in person, in order to discuss your petition in greater detail.
A good personal bankruptcy tip is to be absolutely sure that you’ve gone through all of your options before you decide to file for bankruptcy. If the amount you owe is relatively small, you can always try to negotiate it by working through a credit counselor and making small payments.
Don’t wait too long to file bankruptcy if, you have to go that route. Many debtors spend years trying to deal with debt before they file. You can get free consultations with some attorneys, to find out about bankruptcy and your rights. They can suggest the best time to file and may provide services like credit management.
Clean up your credit record after ten years. When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it remains on your credit report for ten years. However, the credit bureaus are not required to remove the information. In order to get rid of the bankruptcy record, write a letter to the credit reporting agencies, along with a copy of your discharge notice. Follow this up with a phone call to make sure that they have removed the bankruptcy record.
When it comes to personal finance, few topics are surrounded by the sensitivity and caution that characterize the process of bankruptcy. However, it is possible to demystify the topic and make wise decisions about your financial future, simply by taking the time to learn all you can about the subject. The guidance and ideas contained in the piece above can provide the starting point you need.
