Confused By Bankruptcy? These Tips Can Help!

August 21, 2020 - mediadealer - Money Hacks - 1,488 views

No one ever thinks that they will go through a bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is usually a last resort and understanding the process is important. If that happens to you, you can use the information laid out in this article.

Don’t throw in the towel. Filing for bankruptcy may allow you to get back property, such as an auto, jewelry, or electronics, that you may have had repossessed. If you have any property in repossession that was taken less than three months before filing for bankruptcy, then there are good odds that you can get your property back. Talk to a lawyer for help with the petition filing process.

TIP! Think twice if you have struck upon the idea of paying off your taxes by credit card and subsequently filing for personal bankruptcy. Most states do not look at this debt as chargeable, and you could end up owing money to the IRS.

Avoid paying for a consultation with the bankruptcy attorney, but do ask many questions. When you arrive at a consultation ask plenty of questions. You should also seek free consultations from several attorneys prior to choosing one. Only choose a lawyer if you feel like your questions were answered. You do not need to make a decision immediately after the consult. You have lots of time for consulting with other lawyers.

Chapter 7

TIP! Ask yourself if filing for bankruptcy is the right thing to do. Alternatives do exist, including consumer credit counseling.

Before filing for bankruptcy, determine whether Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 is appropriate for your financial situation. The Chapter 7 variety can help you eliminate your debts almost entirely. Any ties that you have with creditors will be dissolved. But, with Chapter 13, you will be in repayment plan for about 5 years prior to any debts you have being totally dissolved. You need to determine which type of bankruptcy is right for you given your unique financial situation.

A lot of bankruptcy attorneys will let you have a consultation, so try several out. It is important to meet with the actual attorney, not the attorney’s assistant or paralegal; those people are not permitted to give legal advice Considering several different lawyers can help find someone to trust.

TIP! Do not be afraid to remind your attorney of important specifics of your case. Don’t assume that he will remember something you told him weeks ago.

Your most important concern is to protect your home. Filing for bankruptcy does not mean you have to lose your home. It may be possible to keep your home if the value has depreciated, or there is a second mortgage. If you’re not sure, however, you can always study the particular homestead exemption regulations. You will learn everything you need to know.

Know the laws and guidelines about bankruptcy before you formally file. There are many issues with personal bankruptcy code, and these pitfalls can cause problems with your case. It is even possible for your whole petition to be thrown out of court due to errors being made. Thoroughly research bankruptcy before you make the decision to file. This will help your process go smoother.

TIP! Look for a bankruptcy lawyer that comes from a personal recommendation instead of someone random on the Internet or in the yellow pages. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of by predatory lawyers just because you are filing for bankruptcy.

Under no circumstances should you take out a huge cash advance on any of your open credit cards before filing for bankruptcy. To do this would be considered fraud. Even after filing for bankruptcy, you might be forced to repay money gained in this manner.

Filing for bankruptcy does not mean that you lose all of your assets. Many times you will be allowed to keep your personal property. This includes some jewelry, clothing, household furnishing, electronics and more. It will be dependent on your own personal circumstances and the laws in your state, but you might also be able to keep your house and care.

TIP! Before you file, make sure you understand current bankruptcy laws. Bankruptcy law has changed substantially in recent years, and therefore you must understand how such changes may affect your situation.

Write down everything that you owe. Be sure your list is complete as it will form the basis of your personal bankruptcy filing. Be sure to verify the exact amount of each debt you owe by checking paperwork or calling your creditors. Don’t be careless about this step, as discharge depends on submitting the correct numbers to the court.

Credit Reporting Agencies

TIP! Be certain that you can differentiate between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debts are all eliminated.

A few months after bankruptcy is complete, get your credit report copies from the 3 credit reporting agencies. Check that your reports accurately reflect all your closed accounts and discharged debts. Contact the credit reporting agencies if there is a discrepancy in order to rebuild your credit.

If you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy only to find that you are not qualified to use the homestead exemption, you might be able to put place your mortgage in a Chapter 13 case. Some scenarios will require a conversion from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, dependent on what your attorney says.

TIP! Take steps to ensure your home is protected. You don’t have to lose your home just because you are filing for bankruptcy.

There are some debts that a bankruptcy will not eliminate. Debts like student loans will stay on your credit report no matter if you file or not. For these kinds of debts, you can consult loan consolidation services or credit repair agencies. These services will help you manage and reduce your debts.

An experienced bankruptcy attorney can guide you through the process successfully. There are so many bankruptcy attorneys to choose from. You may also want to check with your state’s bar association and the better business bureau to make sure your attorney is in good standing.

TIP! Spend time with friends and family to keep your stress levels to a minimum through the bankruptcy filing process. The process for bankruptcy can be hard.

In most cases, if your case is dismissed due to an error you’ve made, you’ll have the opportunity to re-file. But, most of the time, you only get an automatic stay for thirty days after filing if the case was previously dismissed. If you can prove to the court that it was an honest error that couldn’t be avoided, it may be possible to get that 30-day stay pushed out further to give you more time.

Wise advice is positively vital when you find yourself stuck in a financial position that demands a personal bankruptcy filing. Adding to your fund of bankruptcy knowledge helps to make the whole process easier. The above article has provided a lot of this knowledge so that you’re able to deal with your finances with less stress.

TIP! Once your initial filing is complete, it is time to take some time to relax a little. The process of filing for bankruptcy can make people a nervous wreck.

Tags: bankruptcy attorneys, chapter 7, financial situation, homestead exemption, personal bankruptcy filing