Bankruptcy And Your Credit: The Impacts Of Filing
Bankruptcy can seem like a scary thing to get involved with, especially if you do not know much about it. The truth is, while it has huge ramifications for your financial life, it can be every bit the “fresh start” it was intended to be. Here are some bankruptcy tips that can help you understand a bit more about what you have to do, if you file bankruptcy.
After filing for bankruptcy, check your credit report to make sure that it was reported the way that it should have been. You want to make sure that any debts that were part of your bankruptcy are now labeled “BK” so creditors know you no longer owe that money.
Always be honest when filling out paperwork. As long as you are not hiding income or assets from the courts, you can ensure that there are no difficulties with your petition. This will save you from having your petition dismissed and your debts dropped from re-filing.
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.
Make sure that you understand the difference between Chapter 13 bankruptcy and Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Should you choose Chapter 7, your total debt load will be erased. All the things that tie you to creditors will go away. Chapter 13 is different, though. This type of bankruptcy entails an agreement to pay off your debts for five years prior to wiping the slate clean. To make the wisest choice, you will need to understand the consequences of each of these two options.
Before you make a final decision to file for bankruptcy, look into all the options that are available to help your financial situation. If you are buried under credit card debt, it can help to check out a debt-consolidation, or home-equity loan if you qualify. You can also try negotiating smaller payments on your debt until, your finances are better in control. Bankruptcy is always an option, but if you can alleviate your problems in another way, you will be able to avoid a major hit to your credit history.
Look at all of the options. Although bankruptcy can be highly damaging to your credit score when you file, it may actually help you in the future. It will remain on your credit report for ten years, but if filing for bankruptcy helps you overcome your debt now, it will be better for your credit score than making late credit card and loan payments for the rest of your life.
Filing for bankruptcy can be easier to handle, if you have the right information at your fingertips. Hopefully, this article has provided you with information that is value and relevant to your quest for information about bankruptcy. Use the tips laid out here as a guide, and you will soon see your financial outlook improve.