Bankruptcy can make or break an individual. Depending on how it is handled, one can recover and save their own life financially, or they can never recover and be stuck in immense debt for the rest of their lives, while losing everything they hold dear. Find out how to handle bankruptcy the right way with the following tips.
Do not underestimate the importance of timing, if you are considering filing for bankruptcy. As the goal is to wipe out as much of your debt as possible, it doesn’t make sense to file if you’re still racking up major charges. For example, if you are incurring significant monthly medical expenses, you may want to wait until all expenses have been charged before actually filing for bankruptcy.
Try to keep the advantages of filing for bankruptcy in the forefront of your mind during the process. Many people spend days, weeks and even months focusing on the negatives of declaring bankruptcy, and they end up spiraling into a pit of guilt, regret and desperation. By focusing on the positive aspects of filing for bankruptcy, you will be able to get through the process with your mental health still in tack.
A useful tip for those thinking about filing for personal bankruptcy is, to keep in mind that any damage to your credit history caused by the filing is temporary. While there is no doubt that your score will take a noticeable hit, following your bankruptcy discharge, by using the process to start fresh. You have the ability to put yourself on a stronger financial footing going forward. This will allow you to rebuild your credit score faster than you may expect.
Credit scoring companies do not always stay on top of things, when it comes to removing your bankruptcy from their files when the time has come. So be sure to stay on top of this. If you notice that it is not taken off your records, make a copy of your discharge notice, along with a letter requesting that they remove this.
There is more than one option when considering bankruptcy. The two primary types are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 should be considered when there is serious financial trouble. It assists you in liquidating appropriate assets and eliminating large debts. If there is a possibility with structured payment plans that you will use to repay your credits, then you may wish to consider Chapter 13, which will enable you to keep some of your major assets.
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.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons before filing for bankruptcy. There’s a good chance that filing for bankruptcy isn’t your best option. Before you do anything else, sit down and make a list of pros and cons. Think them over and get a second opinion or two on the matter.
Understand that income tax should not be paid on any sort of debt discharge. This will save you a lot of money when it comes time to pay your taxes. Be sure to check with a tax specialist before you submit your taxes, in order to; make sure you’re within the legal boundaries.
If you lose your job, or otherwise face a financial crisis after filing Chapter 13, contact your trustee immediately. If you don’t pay your Chapter 13 payment on time, your trustee can request that your bankruptcy be dismissed. You may need to modify your Chapter 13 plan if, you are unable to pay the agreed-upon amount.
Prepare yourself prior to filing or hiring a lawyer to pursue bankruptcy. You should gather all of your records pertinent to filing such as an itemized list of your assets, lists of bank accounts, property deeds, and other financial information. You should also have your last three years tax returns handy for reference.
Trying to exclude family members you owe money to before filing for personal bankruptcy can get you into serious hot water. The court will look into who you pay-off as far as a year back, and if they find you showing favor to family over other creditors, they could invalidate your filing completely.
Speak with an attorney. If you’re filing for bankruptcy, spending more money is probably the last thing on your mind. Investing in a good attorney, however, can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. Don’t take any unnecessary risks when it comes to your finances.
Anyone can survive bankruptcy, or they can let it doom their lives. There is a correct way and a wrong way to approach bankruptcy, and hopefully, you realize the right way thanks to the tips in this article. Use them wisely and eliminate personal bankruptcy for good and with ease.
