Monday, June 30, 2014

What You Can Do Instead Of Filing For Bankruptcy

By Stacey Smith


The circumstances that culminate in a bankruptcy filing are likely unpleasant, though they do not need to define the rest of your life. You are being given the opportunity to start again with a debt-free slate. Continue ahead to learn how you can smooth out the bankruptcy process so it's not a financial disaster.

Before making the decision to file for bankruptcy, be sure to do some research and learn all you can about the subject. There are many websites available that offer this information. You can learn a lot on the U.S. DOJ, along with a number of other bankruptcy institutes and attorneys specializing in bankruptcy can give you invaluable information. The more you know, the more you'll know that you've made a wise decision and the you're making sure your bankruptcy goes as smooth as possible.

Prior to filing for bankruptcy, be sure you have investigated all of your alternatives. You have other options, including consumer credit counseling help. Bankruptcy has a negative effect on your credit reports, in that it is permanently there. Before you take this step, make sure all your options have been considered.

Make sure you keep reminding your attorney about any important details in your case. Don't assume that he will remember something you told him weeks ago. Your case and future are affected by the attorney's action, so never be afraid to communicate.

You might find it difficult to obtain an unsecured credit card or line after emerging from bankruptcy. Since it is important that you work to rebuild your credit, you should instead think about applying for a secured card. When you do this, it shows your determination to fix your credit history. It will take time, but when creditors see a pattern that satisfies their need to see your good faith with payments, you will then be able to apply for unsecured cards.

If you are about to file for bankruptcy, then make sure you hire a lawyer. Filing for bankruptcy is a complicated procedure, and you may not be aware of all the ins and outs. Choose an attorney versed in personal bankruptcy to make sure you don't make mistakes.

Seek a less serious option prior to filing for bankruptcy. If you owe small amounts of money, you can join a counseling program or straighten your finances out by yourself. You may also find success in negotiating lower payment arrangements yourself, but be certain to get any arrangements with creditors in writing.

It's a good idea to meet with a number of bankruptcy lawyers before settling upon one. The majority of them offer free initial consultations. Make sure you meet with a licensed attorney rather than a paralegal or assistant, because it is illegal for these people to give legal advice. Be sure to check out a number of lawyers so that you will find one who is just right for you.

Safeguard your home. Filing for bankruptcy does not mean you have to lose your home. Depending on whether the value of your home has decreased or if you have a second mortgage on the home, you may end up keeping it. You may also want to check out the homestead exemption because it may allow you to keep your home.

Make sure that you act at the appropriate time. When it comes to filing for personal bankruptcy, timing is vital. Sometimes it is the best option to file quickly, whereas in other situations filing should be put off until the worst has already passed. Have a chat with a bankruptcy specialist to discover when the ultimate time would be for you to file.

If you really want to keep your vehicle, speak with your lawyer about possible choices. Sometimes, as part of the bankruptcy filing, your auto loan can be restructured so that you pay less each month. Your car must have been purchased more than 910 days prior to filing, be a high interest loan, and you must have had a steady work history for this to work.

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, one of the first things you should do is look into the laws of your state. For instance, you are not allowed to move assets from your name to someone else's for a year before you file. In addition, it's unlawful for a filer to acquire more debt on their credit cards before they file.

Again, it is likely that whatever precipitated a bankruptcy filing was not something on which you look back fondly. Afterward, however, you can have an easier time. If you put the ideas you learned in this article into practice, you can write a whole new financial story and live happily ever after.




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