Cover Your Assets! Top Tips For Filing For Bankruptcy
Cover Your Assets! Top Tips For Filing For Bankruptcy
If you are thinking about bankruptcy and haven't made a final decision about it yet, it's important that you know what is involved. If you are not a bankruptcy lawyer, you, more than likely, have not dealt much with bankruptcy law. Here are some quick tips to help you understand what you may go through.
After filing for bankruptcy, check your credit report to make sure that it was reported the way that it should have been. You want to make sure that any debts that were part of your bankruptcy are now labeled "BK" so creditors know you no longer owe that money.
Don't be afraid to apply for credit for purchases such as a new home or car just because you have a recently discharged bankruptcy. Many lenders will take your new financial situation into account. They may be more likely to loan money to someone who has no debt due to a bankruptcy than to the person with, say, 75,000 dollars in credit card debt. The fact that you have no monthly credit card payments can make you look like a better risk.
If you are feeling like you are seriously going to have to file for bankruptcy then do not clear out your savings. Don't touch retirement accounts unless you don't have a choice. Though you may have to break into your savings, keep some available for difficult times. You will be glad you did.
If you have student loan debt, you'll need to prove that paying your student loans would constitute an undue hardship in order to get it discharged. Gather all of your financial documents and draw up two budgets: one that includes student loan payments and one that does not. That way you can more easily demonstrate that paying your student loans would interfere with your financial recovery.
Before you decide to file for bankruptcy, be sure to obtain a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. Depending on where you live, you have the right to speak to an attorney before filing. Any good attorney will offer a first appointment free. This is an important consultation, as you will need the answers to many questions. These may include: attorney fees, what type of bankruptcy to file, and what types of information, paperwork you will need to provide. Most importantly, an attorney will be able to determine if filing for bankruptcy is the right decision for you.
Be sure to consider all of your options before filing for personal bankruptcy, as there may be some you haven't considered. If you have a job that has slowed down due to the recession, such as construction, you may need to find a new job. This could help your situation until the economy picks back up.
A better understanding of what happens during bankruptcy is a good idea before you decide to file. By knowing what to expect, you can make a better decision about what choice is right for you. Hopefully, the tips laid out here can help you understand the process better, so that you know what to do.