Bankruptcy: What You Need To Know
Finding the information about bankruptcy that used to be so difficult to find is no longer as hard to find. You will find a great deal of information and tips that can help you to decide if bankruptcy is your next step and the best way to go about doing so.
Find out the real reason you are filing for bankruptcy. What happened in your life that brought you to this place? What do you need to do to make sure that you can move on? What actions do you need to take before you can be sure that this will never happen again?
If you are facing the foreclosure of your home, filing bankruptcy can protect you from foreclosure proceedings, while the bankruptcy is moving through the court system. You can use this valuable time to work with your mortgage company. Try to work out a loan modification, or re-finance in order to keep your home. Your attorney can help you with this.
Honesty may never have been as important as it will be when going through personal bankruptcy. Hiding income or assets may result in a dismissal from the court. It could also mean that you will be barred from ever having the opportunity to file for bankruptcy any time in the future.
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.
Schedule a consultation with a personal bankruptcy attorney. Many attornies give free consultations. Usually, these meetings are enough to make you more comfortable with the process. Do not pay an attorney for the initial consultation. If an attorney will not give you a consultation without obtaining a fee, find one that will.
Remember that bankruptcy takes an emotional toll, and prepare yourself for the feelings that may accompany the process. Feelings of shame and depression are common, even if you ultimately feel relieved. Ensure that you have an adequate support network of friends and family to help you through the tough times you may experience.
Never use a paralegal to guide you through the bankruptcy process. While some paralegals may have the necessary knowledge to provide all the answers you need, they cannot give legal advice legally. Because of this, you are not guaranteed in any way to receive accurate information or advice. An attorney, on the other hand, has a legal and ethical obligation to provide you with accurate information and sound advice.
Don't be embarrassed to admit the fact that you are bankrupt to your family and friends. Most people will be surprisingly sympathetic to your situation. After all, there have been several reports published that state that one third of the population on the USA are just one paycheck away from homelessness.
Do not "˜play the system' before filing bankruptcy. Do not go out and run up all of your credit cards, this does not look good to the judge working on your case, and it will not look good on your record. Once you decide to file, quit using your credit cards immediately.
Never wait until the very end to act on personal bankruptcy. If you are like many people, it's very hard to face financial troubles. It's much easier to ignore them completely. But by doing so, you may create even more problems for yourself. Options that would have been open to you may now be closed. Reach out to a professional, as soon as, you know you need help.
You now have plenty of information to use to help you with the decision or the process. Apply these tips to your plan and you should have a much easier time getting through the bankruptcy process. Use them in good faith, knowing that they have helped others before they helped you.
