2
Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy? Try These Tips! Always take the bankruptcy process seriously. It is important that you understand everything involved in filing bankruptcy. The information in this article will help you separate fact from fiction. No matter which decision you make, knowledge is essential. Millions of Americans file for bankruptcy each year because they can not pay their bills. If you find yourself going through this, you should know all about the laws that are in your state. Bankruptcy laws vary from state to state so it is important to do your research. In some areas, your residence may be completely exempt, but in others, it will not be. Do not file before learning about the bankruptcy laws in your state. If you are truly faced with bankruptcy, avoid blowing your savings or retirement money, trying to pay off debts. You should never touch your retirement accounts, unless you have absolutely no choice. While dipping into your savings is likely to be necessary, avoid wiping it out completely to prevent leaving yourself with little financial security in the future. It is essential that you are honest and forthright in the documentation you provide for your bankruptcy filings. Do not hide any income or assets or go on a spending spree before filing for bankruptcy: the court will find out and will not have a positive opinion of you. Instead of getting your lawyer from the yellow pages or on the Internet, try your hardest to find one with a personal recommendation. Although you may find a good lawyer through an advertisement, you can simply find a much better lawyer if the lawyer is recommended to you by someone who has gone through the process and who has the inside track on the lawyer's true capabilities. Prior to filing for bankruptcy, research which assets will remain exempt from creditors. Check the bankruptcy laws in your state to find out if certain items are excluded from your bankruptcy filing.

Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy? Try These Tips!

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy? Try These Tips!

Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy? Try These Tips!

Always take the bankruptcy process seriously. It is important that you understand everythinginvolved in filing bankruptcy. The information in this article will help you separate fact from fiction.No matter which decision you make, knowledge is essential.

Millions of Americans file for bankruptcy each year because they can not pay their bills. If you findyourself going through this, you should know all about the laws that are in your state. Bankruptcylaws vary from state to state so it is important to do your research. In some areas, your residencemay be completely exempt, but in others, it will not be. Do not file before learning about thebankruptcy laws in your state.

If you are truly faced with bankruptcy, avoid blowing your savings or retirement money, trying topay off debts. You should never touch your retirement accounts, unless you have absolutely nochoice. While dipping into your savings is likely to be necessary, avoid wiping it out completely toprevent leaving yourself with little financial security in the future.

It is essential that you are honest and forthright in the documentation you provide for yourbankruptcy filings. Do not hide any income or assets or go on a spending spree before filing forbankruptcy: the court will find out and will not have a positive opinion of you.

Instead of getting your lawyer from the yellow pages or on the Internet, try your hardest to find onewith a personal recommendation. Although you may find a good lawyer through an advertisement,you can simply find a much better lawyer if the lawyer is recommended to you by someone who hasgone through the process and who has the inside track on the lawyer's true capabilities.

Prior to filing for bankruptcy, research which assets will remain exempt from creditors. Check thebankruptcy laws in your state to find out if certain items are excluded from your bankruptcy filing.

Page 2: Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy? Try These Tips!

Be sure that you study this list. Make yourself aware of any assets you have that could be seized. Ifyou fail to do so, things could get ugly.

Understand the differences between a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Do someresearch about these options so you can choose the best one. If something doesn't make sense toyou, go over it with your lawyer prior to choosing which one to file.

Be around family as much as possible. The process of bankruptcy can prove particularly brutal. It'sgenerally stressful, lengthy and can make people feel guilty, ashamed, and unworthy. A lot of peoplehide away until the entire proceedings have been played out. However, self imposed isolation willonly make you feel even worse about the process and could even lead to depression. So, even thoughyou may be ashamed of the situation you are in, you should still be around those you love.

Now you know that there a variety of methods youcan use when it comes to filing for bankruptcy. Do notlet the wealth of information become overwhelming.Think carefully about your situation and the tips athand. Doing this will allow all the information to beprocessed and benefit your decision making goingforward.