Acknowledging the fact that it is time for you to file for bankruptcy can be difficult. After all, the process of actually filling for bankruptcy is lengthy and stressful. Fortunately, this article contains a collection of some essential tips that will make dealing with the personal bankruptcy process slightly easier.
Consult your exemption regulations very carefully when you file for bankruptcy. These vary from state to state, but they allow you to protect at least some of your assets from your creditors. Exemption rules change frequently. You obviously want to take full advantage of the opportunity to reduce the size of your bankruptcy estate.
A critical tip in filing personal bankruptcy is to steer clear of making payments to creditors, in advance of filing a petition, in an attempt to satisfy individual debts in full outside of bankruptcy court. Payments to family members and creditors made within defined periods of time prior to a bankruptcy filing can be voided and can jeopardize the chances of receiving a discharge of all debts in the case.
Talk to friends and family about helping you avoid bankruptcy. For many people, bankruptcy is the final option. However, a lot of people don’t even bother to ask family and friends for help. If you have a strong network of loved ones, they might want to help you out. Just ask them.
Make sure that you have all of your financial paperwork with you when, you go to meet with your attorney about bankruptcy. They should tell you what you will need to bring. Generally, the paperwork will include car loan documents, home loan documents, and various financial records like credit card bills.
If you are unfortunate enough to be going through a personal bankruptcy, be sure to take the time to contact all of your creditors. This is a mandatory part of the process that requires you inform your creditors of your intent. The bonus is that you will not longer receive mail or phone calls from them.
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.
If you are planning to file for bankruptcy in the near future, don’t charge up your credit cards thinking that you won’t have to pay back the debt. In many states, there are rules about how much credit card debt and what kind, may be discharged in a bankruptcy. For instance, if you make purchases for luxury items, such as an expensive new TV, within 6 months prior to filing, you may be obligated to pay that amount back. On the other hand, if you used your credit card to purchase groceries, or other necessities, the rules may be different. Be sure to ask your attorney for advice.
Make sure that you keep a close eye on the paperwork your attorney is filing. They have several cases to deal with, so any errors or problems should catch your eye as well. Don’t assume that lawyers won’t make mistakes. It’s your future at stake, so double check everything you sign and know what you are filing.
If you are considering filing for divorce and bankruptcy, file the bankruptcy first. This could save you money in family attorney fees and make the financial aspect of the divorce much simpler. There are certain situations when this is not the best idea. Check with a bankruptcy lawyer before you do anything.
Always exercise honesty when applying for bankruptcy. If you try to lie or hide any assets you own from a trustee, your petition for bankruptcy may be dismissed by the court. In addition, you will be unable to file for bankruptcy again on the debts you initially filed, leaving you in deep financial trouble.
Learn to become very good at record-keeping. While you are in personal bankruptcy, you will most likely need to track your spending, and provide records to your attorney or the bankruptcy trustee. Once you emerge from bankruptcy, you will need to track your spending and use a budget, to help develop financial discipline and avoid getting back into debt.
As with most consumer related issues, bankruptcy is best approached with solid information and reliable advice. Hopefully, this article has been a great source of that much needed help and you should now be better prepared to tackle your financial future and pursue the steps involved in getting back on the right financial track!
Consumer Bankruptcy Counseling Advice 