Confused By Bankruptcy? These Tips Can Help!

by Mac
(Tucson, Arizona, United States)

Many negative emotions are related to filing bankruptcy. People going through bankruptcy worry about living in debt while trying to survive. As the following article explains, options do exist for those facing financial difficulty.

Protect your house. It isn't inevitable that you will lose your house when you file for bankruptcy. You could keep your home; it depends on your home's value or if a second mortgage is on your home. Otherwise, try looking into house exemptions that may let you remain in the home if you meet certain financial threshold requirements.

Make sure all your debts are included in the discharge so you can avoid filing unnecessarily. Certain debts, including student loans, may remain with you regardless of your bankruptcy filing. You may want to consider consulting a loan consolidation service or credit repair agency instead of filing for bankruptcy.

Rest assured, when you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you still have the ability to take out mortgage and car loans. It is just tougher. You will need to secure the trustee's approval for any new debt obligation. You need to show them why and how you can handle paying back the new loan. Also, be sure you have a clear explanation as to why the item you are purchasing is absolutely necessary.

Every single piece of financial information you have needs to be studied and properly listed when filing a bankruptcy claim. You can delay your bankruptcy process if you do not add in all important information. Even small amounts of money contribute to your overall financial picture, so do not exclude them. This might take the form of odd jobs, extra cars and outstanding personal loans.

If the process of filing for personal bankruptcy has become overwhelming to you, you may find supportive listeners in the form of online Internet chat rooms for people undergoing bankruptcy. Being in a bankruptcy situation is extremely stressful, and it can make you feel isolated, even in the company of friends. The beauty of the Internet is that you can speak anonymously with those who share your feelings about filing and the repercussions.

Before picking a bankruptcy lawyer, speak with more than one, since most offer a consultation for free. Make sure you meet with a licensed attorney rather than a paralegal or assistant, because it is illegal for these people to give legal advice. It will be important to work with a bankruptcy lawyer that you feel comfortable with; a little comparison shopping will help you find the right one.

If you have fears that you will lose your car, ask your lawyer about the possibility of lowering your car payments. Filing for Chapter 7 can help to lower your monthly payments on possessions such as your vehicle, helping to ease your financial load. It is necessary for you to have bought your car prior to the 910 days preceding your filing, your loan must carry a high rate of interest and you must be employed in order to get such a modification, however.

With any luck, this piece has shown you that financial roadblocks are not necessarily the end of the world. At first it can be difficult, but personal bankruptcy can be overcome. Put the information you have found in this article to use so that you can have a very successful bankruptcy.