Acknowledging the fact that it is time for you to file for bankruptcy can be difficult. After all, the process of actually filling for bankruptcy is lengthy and stressful. Fortunately, this article contains a collection of some essential tips that will make dealing with the personal bankruptcy process slightly easier.
Do not use your retirement fund or savings to pay off creditors.
Do not tap retirement accounts unless there is no other alternative. While you may have to use a part of your savings, never completely wipe it out which would only leave you in worse financial shape in the future.
A critical tip in filing personal bankruptcy is to steer clear of making payments to creditors, in advance of filing a petition, in an attempt to satisfy individual debts in full outside of bankruptcy court. Payments to family members and creditors made within defined periods of time prior to a bankruptcy filing can be voided and can jeopardize the chances of receiving a discharge of all debts in the case.
Before deciding to file for bankruptcy, you may want to look into other options.
Remember, when you file for bankruptcy, you are greatly hurting your credit score, which in turn, can prohibit you from buying a house, car, and other big purchases. Consider safer, alternative methods first, such as consumer credit counseling.
Be wary of creditors once you have filed for bankruptcy.
These companies think because you have filed for bankruptcy, you cannot file it again for a long time. You are not risky to lend to. By accepting loans from these companies, you are putting yourself at risk for more financial turmoil.
Be honest. Don’t try to hide debts or money, because if you are found out, your entire bankruptcy filing can be revoked, and you could face jail time. Just be honest about what your financial life is like, and your lawyer should be able to help you make smart choices.
Do not be afraid to file for bankruptcy.
Sometimes people find themselves so overwhelmed with debt that they just decide to do nothing and bury their heads in the sand. This is the worst thing that a person could possibly do. Instead, they should file for bankruptcy because by doing so, they are taking positive affirmative action and giving themselves another chance at managing their finances.
Learn from it. Bankruptcy is a great chance for a fresh start. However, bankruptcy is not the end of problems. You must remember to use the fresh start to begin re-building your credit and learning how to budget and spend wisely. You can find a course either online or through the court to help with this.
When you file personal bankruptcy, this is a matter of public record. You need to be aware that your name may appear in the news and in newspapers. If you do not want people knowing your financial situation, this may not be the best option for you and your situation.
Get a secured credit card after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A secured card requires you to put down money in order to open the account. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay it off every month, you can raise your credit score. So, within a few years of filing, your credit will be good enough to get you into an apartment or allow you to purchase a new vehicle.
After filing for bankruptcy, get your life back on track.
Ensure that your credit reports are updated, with each closed account and discharged debt correctly reported. Start paying your bills on a timely basis, as these accounts for one-third of your credit score. On-time payments are the first step in rebuilding your credit.
No matter how trivial you may think it is, all income should be reported in your bankruptcy filing. You can create issues in your bankruptcy if your income information does not flush with bank and finance records. Be sure to include all incomes within the household that can be considered part of your normal income.
When you meet with your lawyer, bring along all of your financial records. Your lawyer will want to see loan documents from your car and house. They will also want to see your credit card bills and any other financial documents you have that show you are in debt. You will also need to bring any documents showing your assets.
Work with a reputable credit counseling agency.
If you have decided to file for bankruptcy, work with a credit counseling agency that has the approval of the US Trustee’s Office. They will provide a 90-minute mandatory counseling session, after which they will determine if you qualify for a Debt Management Plan. They will also issue you with a certificate that allows you to file for bankruptcy.
You should understand all that filing for personal bankruptcy implies before you consider this option. You should consider the type of debt that has caused you to consider filing. There are many debts that filing for bankruptcy will help eliminate, but there others that will remain such as student loans and funds that are owed to the IRS.
Speak up, when necessary, to remind your lawyer about certain facts regarding your case.
Just because you have previously told the lawyer the same information, does not necessarily mean it is remembered. At the end of the day, it is your bankruptcy filing and your financial future, so ensuring your lawyer knows everything that is essential to your case is important – even if it means you have to repeat it a second time.
If you are worried about how you are going to be able to pay the lawyer for your personal bankruptcy. You should know that many attornies will let you pay them over time. An attorney can put you on a payment plan, but won’t file your case until he is paid in full. Be sure, and ask about this before hiring your lawyer.
As aforementioned, acknowledging the fact that it is time for you to file for bankruptcy can be tough, and actually filling for bankruptcy can be difficult and time-consuming. If you follow some of the tips presented above, however, you should be able get through your bankruptcy swiftly and painlessly. Good luck!
