Faqs Bankruptcy Questions You Probably Have About Bankruptcy
Monday, November 16th, 2009Faqs Bankruptcy Questions You Probably Have About Bankruptcy
Declaring personal bankruptcy is no laughing matter It’s a serious step that you will have to study carefully before making your decision, since filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 will affect your family’s finances for a long time to come That’s why this article will cover some frequently asked questions about bankruptcy . .How much does it cost to declare bankruptcy? . . .Well, at the time of this writing, the cost for Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing is $274, while Chapter 13 would cost you $189 Keep in mind this is only the court filing fee and does not include your legal fees . .Has the new bankruptcy law made it more difficult to declare bankruptcy? . .The new bankruptcy law passed in 2005 by Congress and signed by President George W Bush has made the process more complex However, contrary to popular misconception, bankruptcy is still available for many Americans who need help There are some changes such as mandatory credit counseling and having to go through something called a means test in order to determine your financial needs based on income and expenses This was supposed to keep people from abusing the bankruptcy process when they didn’t really need it . .Do you really need a lawyer to declare bankruptcy? . .Following up on the previous question regarding the new bankruptcy law, you have to understand the process has become more difficult You really need a good bankruptcy lawyer who has kept up with all the changes and can give you the best possible advice for your particular scenario Going it alone is really not a good option, and you should make sure that your attorney is paying attention to your needs and answering your particular questions Generic advice is not good enough . .There are many more questions that you probably have regarding bankruptcy, and you would do well to continue to research the process before visiting a lawyer This will help you become more informed so you can make better questions during your visit, and you may even save some money by not wasting time asking the most common questions Keep in mind that a lawyer charges by the hour, and saving money is a good idea if your situation is bad enough to consider bankruptcy .
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Filing For Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy should be seen as the last resort for people who have got themselves into too much debt. It may seem the answer to all your prayers but bankruptcy is only able to solve certain debt issues. Remember, if you have filed for bankruptcy you may find it difficult to obtain credit in the future unless your bankruptcy has been cleared, or discharged for a number of years. Bankruptcy is very good for wiping out credit card debt. Unless you have a special secured credit card, your credit card balance is an unsecured debt. That means that the credit card company has no hold on anything that belongs to you if you do not pay back your debt. This is specifically the kind of debt that bankruptcy is designed to remove. Apart from credit card debt, you may have other unsecured debts, and bankruptcy can eradicate these as well. However, bankruptcy will not discharge your obligations to some other kinds of debts, including child support, alimony, tax debts, student loans, and any secured debts. If you are reading this then the chances are that you are considering filing for bankruptcy. Your debts have got to the point where you cannot afford the monthly payments that your creditors are demanding. However, there are numerous bankruptcy alternatives. The most important thing is not to panic and to sit down and look at your financial situation. If you reach the stage where you are in so much debt that you are considering bankruptcy then there are a number of measures that you can take to avoid bankruptcy. Firstly, you should cut up all of your credit cards. This may seem drastic, but it is the only way to avoid bankruptcy by guaranteeing that you do not increase your level of debt by charging more onto your credit cards. All lenders would prefer to receive some money rather than none at all and when you file for bankruptcy a number of your creditors will receive little or none of the proceeds. This is especially the case with your unsecured loans, such as credit cards. You should contact all of the people that you owe money to and explain the situation. Most will work out a repayment schedule with you as a bankruptcy alternative, giving you longer to pay off what you owe and sometimes even freezing the interest. John Rivers is owner of <a href="http://www.financialadvisorynetwork.com">Financial Advisory Network</a>. His website offers information on financial planning, estate planning, and investment management.
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