Is Bankruptcy The End Of The Road
Is Bankruptcy The End Of The Road
When the modifications to U S Bankruptcy Code made it more difficult for people to declare bankruptcy and have debts forgiven, many consumer rights activists cried foul The credit industry worked hard to get this passed, and at first blush, it does appear to work against debtors . .On the other hand, the changes did debtors a favor in some respects By making it harder to seek bankruptcy protection, the new laws made it mandatory that those who might not need to declare bankruptcy go through credit counseling and enter a repayment plan if possible The changes also revealed just how desperate creditors are to keep your debts from being written off completely Armed with that knowledge, there are ways to avoid bankruptcy and right your personal financial ship . . .Pennies on the Dollar . .Everyone has seen or heard ads for law firms or other agencies that will work with creditors and settle your debts for virtually nothing This can happen, but there are some caveats One is that many such agencies are not reliable or trustworthy If they are full-fledged law firms, they will have some oversight from the state supreme court’s disciplinary counsel, as well as the local bar association Even so, be wary and investigate before signing on with anyone . .Further, these agencies collect your money for a time without paying your creditors Your accounts will get further behind while you pay them, knocking your credit score down nearly as much as a bankruptcy would If you are struggling to make ends meet but paying on time or nearly so, this is a fairly unpalatable option . .Finally, to the extent that these agencies do help, you may be able to do the same for yourself While some creditors are more willing than others to settle for lower dollar amounts, any of them would rather take something than nothing Thus, if you are already that far behind, you might try saving yourself some fees that would be charged by the agencies by negotiating for yourself . .Credit Counseling . .An adage that has been unfairly applied to lawyers is true in the area of credit counselors; 99 percent of them give the rest a bad name Class action suits against these groups abound, and internet message boards are full of angry stories A good credit counseling agency can help immensely . .The way such agencies work is to work out a payment plan with you based on what you can afford They then apply it to paying off your creditors based on preset rate reductions They are funded by the credit industry, which is a major turn off for some people However, the credit industry pays them to do something that helps the consumer; they help you pay your accounts off, at a lower interest rate than you might get otherwise . .Again, many of these agencies are unreliable, paying late or not at all Many creditors, upon your telling them you plan to work through a credit counseling agency, will try to talk you out of it for this reason When they do, listen You may be able to work out a better deal for yourself than the agency could The creditors want to be paid to the extent possible; they have no incentive to ruin your credit by forcing you into bankruptcy . .If you do decide to go through a credit counselor, investigate first Is the agency accredited? What complaints against them have been filed with the Better Business Bureau and how have they been resolved? Find a place you can trust . .Conclusion . .There are ways to avoid bankruptcy in most cases If you have lost everything with uninsured hospital bills, that is one thing Being behind on your bills and overextended on credit need not push most people over that edge Creditors want you solvent so they can collect something; you want yourself solvent so you can obtain credit again someday The U S government wants you solvent so you can contribute to the economy Look into your options and you will learn that you can usually find your way out of the bankruptcy hole before you hit bottom .
Source: www.rsstnx.com
7 Reasons Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Might Be Right for You
Changes in bankruptcy laws have left many to erroneously think that they can no longer declare bankruptcy. This is not true. Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that should not be made without first seeking the qualified counsel of a Texas bankruptcy lawyer. A Texas bankruptcy lawyer can help you decide which form of bankruptcy is best for you. Under Chapter 13 a debtor is given the ability to liquidate assets and set up a debt repayment plan that best suits them. This can give you the relief you need from high credit bills and other debt. The first step under chapter 13 is to receive credit counseling and budget analysis from an approved counseling service. This step can be omitted in a few situations of hardship, but most will have to undergo the counseling. It is an important step that must be taken to prevent your case from being dismissed. Speak with a qualified bankruptcy lawyer today to discuss your options under Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Generally speaking, Chapter 13 may be right for you if: 1. You have a stable source of income. You must be able to regularly make payments to pay back your debt. 2. You have enough disposable income after all expenses are paid to make regular payments for your debt. There is no set value for this. The courts will require a proposed budget to determine if you satisfy this requirement. 3. Your secured debts are less than $922,975 and your unsecured debts do not exceed $307,675. 4. You are behind on mortgage or vehicle payments you intend to keep 5. You have tax debt, or student loans 6. You have a large amount of non exempt property you do not wish to lose. 7. You have a cosigner on your loans you wish to protectMichele Wallace, author of this article, writes for the <a href= http://www.maliselawfirm.com/><b> MaliseLawFirm"</b></a>. Hire experienced <a href=http://www.maliselawfirm.com/><b>"San Antonio bankrupty attorneys"</b></a> with Malaise and get the debt relief you deserve.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
Top 4 Reasons People File For Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can be a way out for many families who find themselves overwhelmed with too much debt It is a big decision with long-term consequences, and you should never be entered into lightly Nevertheless, it does provide relief for many people who need drastic assistance in debt relief . .Here are four common reasons people file for bankruptcy . .1 Avoiding foreclosure . .Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out many consumer debts, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get to keep your assets For example, if you owe credit card debt, chapter 7 can protect your home from creditors Credit cards are unsecured debt, which means that there is no collateral backing up the loan . .However, if you are behind on your mortgage payments and are facing foreclosure, you may need to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy and establish a payment plan so you can catch up on your mortgage payments This is because Chapter 7 does not eliminate your obligation to the lien holders such as the mortgage company or bank . .2 Prevent repossession of your vehicle . .Just like your house payments have to be made even if you file for bankruptcy, your car loan has to be paid off if you intend to keep the vehicle You can use Chapter 13 bankruptcy to form a repayment plan for your debts, usually over the next three to five years . .3 Medical bills . .A common reason why many families have to end up in bankruptcy court is the high cost of medical bills Catastrophic events like the need for emergency surgeries can overwhelm a family who is uninsured or underinsured . .4 Unemployment . .Many unfortunate people have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced during this economic downturn This reason doesn’t need much explanation, since it’s obvious that a reduction in income will make it more difficult to keep up with your bills What we should say is that filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can help with your situation, but you should explore all options carefully before making a decision . .Sometimes simple solutions like getting a part-time job or using debt negotiation can solve your problems without resorting to legal action that can damage your credit score for years to come .
Source: www.rsstnx.com
