Anyone who has considered filing for personal bankruptcy can attest to the uncertainty and alarm the very idea of the process can cause. This does not need to be the case, however, because by gaining a bit of knowledge about bankruptcy, it is possible to sort through the worry and see the truth. By applying these tips to your own financial situation, you can determine whether bankruptcy represents a smart way to get a fresh start.
Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure that you sort out your taxes. When you file, the bankruptcy trustee will need to see your tax return from last year and possibly even your tax return from two years ago. If you have these documents ready, your bankruptcy attorney will be able to ensure that the whole bankruptcy process is carried out as quickly as possible.
Many people do not know that, there are long term consequences of filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy will not make a clean credit report. It will stay on a credit reports for ten years. This has to be considered prior to filing for bankruptcy. You will be excluded from buying a home, possibly a car loan, and securing a credit card for ten years after filing for bankruptcy.
When meeting with a personal bankruptcy lawyer, be sure you have all of the necessary paperwork with you. This will make the whole filing process go much easier and quicker. Some of the paperwork you should have with you includes loan documents, credit card bills, and any other relevant financial documents.
Start getting used to paying for items with cash. Because bankruptcy will affect your ability to acquire credit for the foreseeable future, and credit you do obtain will have a high interest rate, pay for everything you can with cash or a check to prevent racking up new, much more expensive debt.
Prior to filing for personal bankruptcy, take care to not make withdrawals from your retirement accounts, IRA’s, or 401k’s. You may think you are doing the right thing to free up money, but often these types of accounts are protected from any bankruptcy proceedings. If you withdrawal the money, you may be opening it up to any bankruptcy action.
A good personal bankruptcy tip is to be aware that even the refund you get from doing taxes can be subjected to your bankruptcy. A lot of people just think that their refund will be exempt, but this is not the case. It’s generally not a good idea to opt for a large tax refund.
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.
As you are working to make the decision to file for personal bankruptcy, remember that it will affect your life for at least the next ten years. Bankruptcy should be used as a last resort and the decision to file not taken lightly. Carefully weigh your options before you make any decisions.
Protect your wages to live on. Bankruptcy is an important way to do just that. If you owe enough money that creditors are threatening to file lawsuits against you, it’s time to seek legal counsel. If a creditor sues you, they can obtain their money by garnishing your wages, taking a large chunk of change from your paychecks. This can put you in even more debt and make your situation worse. Filing bankruptcy will put a stop to any lawsuits and protect the money you need to survive. If the situation becomes dire, you can also ask for an emergency filing, so you don’t have to wait a couple of weeks for the attorney to compile all the information he or she needs.
Know the difference between Chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcies. Chapter 7 will wipe your debts clean, meaning you will not owe what you file against. Chapter 13 requires you to agree to repay your debts. These debts need to be repaid within three to five years of the filing date.
Know what your exemptions are before you file for bankruptcy. Exemptions are personal property that is out of reach from your creditors. Although this varies by state, items such as clothing, household goods, a vehicle, and some equity in your home may all be protected from creditors when you file for bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy filing is a topic shrouded in mystery and embarrassment for many. This is an unfortunate thing because the fact is that the process can be extremely helpful for those facing serious financial distress. Take the guidance and information in this piece to heart. It is possible to learn if bankruptcy might be the right financial solution for you.
