Whose Business Is My Bankruptcy

When you file for bankruptcy you have to give the courts endless amounts of information.

You would think that the information would be all monetarily oriented but the cold truth is that filing for personal bankruptcy touches every part of your life. The information that is required by the courts is essentially your life story. 

You Are Required By Law To Declare What You Own

 

You have to tell the court of course what you have, what you intend to sell to satisfy your debts and what you would like to keep and why you think you are entitled. You have to tell them everyone you owe money to and why you owe that money. 

Your Personal Details Can Be Kept For Up To Ten Years

 

You must give up all your personal information as far as address, social security number, bank accounts, credit card numbers, birth date, and phone numbers. You must list all your assets in detail and exactly how much they are worth.

Your trustee scrutinizes everything that you buy and or spend after your filing. 

All of this information is recorded and kept between 7 and 10 years.

Exploring Your Credit Options During Troubled Times

If you need help with how to use credit properly so you don't get into trouble or what to do when your debts have gotten out of control, then knowing what options exist for you is very important.

Here we present the options that are available to you.

Credit Counseling

Credit counselors are both certified and trained in the area of personal finance, consumer credit, budgeting and the management of debts.

If you feel like you no longer have control over your money or if you are just starting down the financial road and want to get started off on the right foot, then a professional credit counselor might be the answer for you.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of DMPs

DMP is the acronym for debt management plan.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of DMPs

A debt management plan is a type of debt relief whereby payment plans are arranged with creditors in order to pay down (and pay off) existing debts.

The DMP is designed with respect to a realistic budget for the debtor in order that he or she will have no difficulties in making the payments.

It is common for credit counseling agencies to recommend a debt management plan as an alternative to filing for bankruptcy.

For some individuals, this type of plan is the best solution possible for their money concerns.

If you choose to go the debt management plan route then you will do so through a debt management company.

It is to the company that all of your payments will be made. There are advantages and disadvantages of choosing a debt management plan.

Here we explore both sides of DMPs.

Take Steps to Repair Your Bad Credit

The credit rating you have plays an integral role in whether or not you will be extended credit in the future following a bankruptcy.

The credit you seek could be anything from a credit card, a personal loan, a car loan or a mortgage. The important thing is that you want to be told yes as opposed to no by the creditor in question.

Bankruptcy will show up on your credit report and there is nothing you can do about it. Do not be taken in by credit repair companies that claim that they are able to completely erase a bankruptcy off of your record.

Preparing to File for Bankruptcy

If you make the decision to file for bankruptcy then there are certain things you must do in preparation.

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding that is very complex and that is why learning everything that you possibly can about the process is so important. The more you know, the better able you will be to cope with everything that is to come.

Search the Internet for information about bankruptcy and get in touch with a professional in the field to find out all that you need to know. Be aware that the laws regarding bankruptcy underwent changes in 2005 so take the time to find out how these laws will affect you.

A Closer Look At Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding regarding a person's financial status.

If an individual has run into financial difficulties and is unable to pay their bills then this is a way to start anew. The federal law makes it possible for an individual to file for bankruptcy. All cases of bankruptcy take place in federal court.

It is important to note that your creditors cannot expect repayment of any debts while you are tied up in bankruptcy. Arrangements for when and how you are to pay your debts must be decided upon in the court of law.

Please be aware that filing for bankruptcy will affect your credit rating adversely and it will take you some time following bankruptcy to rebuild your credit.

What Can Filing for Bankruptcy Do?

Filing for bankruptcy can make it possible for you to stop down the destructive financial road you are on and get back on track.

There are many things that bankruptcy can clear the way for you to do.

Bankruptcy can take away the legal obligation that is upon you to pay your debts.

While there are some debts that cannot be wiped away with the help of bankruptcy, many of them can.

This is what is referred to as a discharge of your debts.

If you are presently facing foreclosure on your home, then filing for bankruptcy can provide you the opportunity to breathe a little easier.

It will also give you the chance you so desperately need to catch up on the payments that you have missed.

Be aware however that a bankruptcy will not make your mortgage go away. You are still required to make regular payments. It also does not make any liens that currently exist on your property go away. Payments are still a necessity!

A bankruptcy can make it possible to prevent repossession of your vehicle or any other property you have. It can also help end harassment you are suffering at the hands of collectors and threats of being sued by collectors for repayment.

Bankruptcy can also put an end to wage garnishment. If you have had your utilities cut off because of lack of payment or if you are in jeopardy of this happening, then filing for bankruptcy can improve the situation so you can go back to having lights, heat and water in your home.

The Limits of Bankruptcy

The flip side to bankruptcy is the ways in which it is limited. There are things that bankruptcy cannot assist you with. Bankruptcy is not a quick fix for all of your financial woes.

For instance, the rights of secured creditors must be upheld in the event of bankruptcy in most cases. A secured creditor would be someone who has taken either a lien on your property or a mortgage as a form of collateral on a loan.

Examples of these include mortgages for homes and car loans. There are other types of debts that are rarely discharged in a bankruptcy as well. These include child support payments, alimony, some forms of student loans, money owed to the IRS, criminal fines and restitution orders.

If you live in Australia and need more information follow this link - Bankruptcy Advice you might even want to look into debt rescue.