Bankruptcy: Is It The Right Option?

By Jobel Meralco


If your debts have skyrocketed out of control and you are considering filing for personal bankruptcy, worry no more. Because of the Internet, it is very simple to find information about preventing situations like bankruptcy. Read through these tips to avoid going through bankruptcy.

If you are considering paying your taxes with credit cards and turning around and filing bankruptcy--they are on to you. Most of the time, you cannot discharge this debt. As a result, you will owe the IRS a lot of money. If the tax can be discharged, so can the debt. So as you can see, in this situation there is no need to use the card when the debt will be discharged when you file for bankruptcy.

You should avoid paying your taxes with credit cards and then immediately file for bankruptcy. Credit card debt is handled charge by charge during bankruptcy, and in most states, tax debt cannot be discharged through bankruptcy. Generally speaking if you can discharge the tax, you can discharge the debt. Thus, it doesn't make sense to use a credit card when it is going to be discharged when you file for bankruptcy.

Put forth the effort to grasp the distinctions between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Take the time to learn about them extensively, and then figure out which one will be best for your particular situation. If you have trouble understanding the wealth of information, talk to your lawyer so he or she can help you make an informed choice.

Most bankruptcy lawyers give free consultation, so try to meet with these types of lawyers before deciding on hiring one. Be certain that the person you meet with is really a lawyer. Avoid meeting with paralegals or legal assistants because they cannot give you legal advice. Comparing different lawyers makes it possible to find one with whom you work well.

Do not hesitate to remind your lawyer of any details regarding your case. Do not assume that if you've already told him or her something important once, that they will remember it later without a reminder. Remember that you're the boss. You're paying your lawyer, so you should not be afraid to have your say. After all, the quality of your life hangs in the balance.

Once your initial filing is complete, it is time to take some time to relax a little. The filing process is extremely stressful for a lot of the people who go through it. This stress could morph into clinical depression, if you fail to adequately address the problem. Things will be sunnier after you take positive steps to move forward.

Consider filing using chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you have less than a quarter of a million dollars in debt that is unsecured and a regular income, you are eligible to file a Chapter 13. You can keep personal possessions, as well as real estate, while paying into a debt consolidation system. The window for Chapter 13 repayments is typically 3-5 years. At the end of this time, any unsecured debt is discharged. Missing a payment under these plans can result in total dismissal by the courts.

When filing for bankruptcy it is crucial that you are candid and not concealing any liabilities or assets, as it will only show up in the future. When you file make sure whoever is handling the process is fully aware of each and every financial detail. Be completely honest in your paperwork to avoid a situation that may end in severe punishment.

A lot of individuals who have found themselves filing for bankruptcy think that they will never borrow money or use a credit card again. This isn't wise since you need to use credit to build credit. If you do not use credit, you will not rebuild the type of credit you will need in making future purchases. Start with one single credit card, and rebuild your credit once more.

As this piece suggests, personal bankruptcies come in different packages. Do not be overwhelmed by the voluminous information available. Take some time to think about the tips you have read here and how they apply to your situation. Doing this will allow all the information to be processed and benefit your decision making going forward.




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