Thursday, June 19, 2014

Are You About To File For Personal Bankruptcy? See These Tips First!

By Anthony Cruz


Bankruptcy is serious, and should not be looked at as something that isn't a big deal. It is crucial you educate yourself on the entire bankruptcy filing process. Use the tips in this article to guide you in the right direction. Research will help you deal with the tough decisions you need to make.

Prior to putting in the bankruptcy paperwork, determine what assets are protected from seizure. To find an itemized list detailing assets exempt from bankruptcy, find the Bankruptcy Code. It is important that you read this list before filing for bankruptcy, so that can find out whether or not your most prized possessions will be seized. If you don't read it, you could have nasty surprises pop up later due to your prized possessions being seized.

Be aware that getting unsecured credit is going to be tough once you've gone through bankruptcy. If that's the case, it is beneficial to apply for one or even two secured cards. This will allow you to start building a good credit history while minimizing the bank's risk. After a time, you are going to be able to have unsecured credit cards too.

Before declaring bankruptcy, ensure that all other options have been considered. For example, consumer credit counseling programs can help you by renegotiating your debts with your creditors into payments that you can afford. You may also find success in negotiating lower payment arrangements yourself, but be certain to get any arrangements with creditors in writing.

Prior to filing for bankruptcy, discover which assets cannot be seized. The Bankruptcy Code provides a list of all the different kinds of assets that you can exclude. It is crucial to read the list before you file for bankruptcy so you know whether your favorite items will be taken. It is important to know what types of possessions may be taken away before they actually are seized.

Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure you absolutely need to. Some people have great luck with handling debt with debt consolidation, which means taking out only one loan to pay off many loans. Filling for bankruptcy could be a long and stressful process. It will have a major effect on your credit as time goes on. This is why you must ensure that bankruptcy is the only option left for you.

It is important to look at your financial situation from all possible angles before you decide to file for bankruptcy. You may qualify for alternatives such as debt repayment plans or interest rate reductions. Ask your bankruptcy attorney about these options. Various loan plans out there can be a lifesaver if you're facing a foreclosure. Some lenders will make concessions rather than losing the money owed to bankruptcy. These concessions include waiving late fees, lowering interest rates, and changing the loan term. At the end of the day, creditors want to get paid, and sometimes a debt repayment plan is preferable to dealing with a bankrupt debtor.

Bankruptcy laws are very exact and very important, so ensure that you're well aware of all current laws before you file a petition. As an example, it is prohibited for someone to transfer assets from the filer's name for one year prior to filing. In addition, it is unlawful for the filer to increase the amount of debt they are carrying on their credit cards right before they file.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be a good option, so don't overlook it. With a consistent income source and less than $250k in debt, try filing for Chapter 13. When you file for Chapter 13, you can use the debt consolidation plan to repay your debts, while retaining your real estate and your personal property. It usually takes three to five years to fulfill this plan. When the time is up, you're unsecured debts will be discharged. However, if you miss even one payment, the court will dismiss your entire case.

Create a list of all of your finances before filing for bankruptcy. Failing to list these could cause the dismissal or delay of your bankruptcy petition. The most meaningless, innocuous finance or expenditure needs to be listed when you file a claim. Include all jobs, assets and loans.

This article outlined a few different types of personal bankruptcy. Do not be overwhelmed by all the information. Take a moment to sort it all out and ponder the tips for a moment. Take your time and think carefully about your decision before taking action.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment