Bankruptcy Lawyer | How to Decide if Bankruptcy the Answer

Bankruptcy Lawyer . If you have found yourself asking if bankruptcy is the answer to your financial situation, use the following information to help you decide.

Types of Personal Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 – Creates a repayment plan where the filer pays off their debts within three to five years. For instance, if you were unemployed and got behind on your mortgage payment, but now have a job where you are able to make the payments, Chapter 13 can be helpful. This type of bankruptcy halts collection attempts and foreclosures, allows you to keep your assets, and requires you to repay the missed payments in your payment plan.
Chapter 7 – Wipes away all debt. This option is for those with extremely high debt, or for those who don’t have enough income to qualify for a payment plan. This choice may be the best option for those who don’t own their own home and have mounting medical bills. Individuals must qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Certain qualifications include income below the state median or debts so high that paying them is not feasible with the income.
Have You Had A Major Life Event?

Bankruptcy can be helpful when individuals experience major events in life that drastically increases their bills, reduces their income, or a combination of both. Most people who file bankruptcy do so as a result of medical bills, unemployment, or divorce.

Are You Ready To Pay For Bankruptcy?

Filing bankruptcy isn’t necessarily cheap. Depending on where you live and the attorney you use, it can cost several thousand dollars. Typically, Chapter 7 runs from $1,000 to $2,500 and Chapter 13 can be from $2,000 to $4,000. With Chapter 13, though, you can include the costs in your plan, but you can’t do that with Chapter 7.

Most attorneys do offer free consultations. If the price is an issue, let the attorney know and they may be able to work something out. Just be wary of anyone who is not an attorney and offers to help with bankruptcy.

How Will Bankruptcy Affect Your Credit?

A bankruptcy will be notated on your credit report. However, if you have already been dealing with financial issues, such as charge-offs and missed or late payments, the bankruptcy may not damage it too bad. Some consumers even see their credit improve around a year or so after filing. The bankruptcy will typically stay on a credit report for about 10 years, but as it ages, it begins to weaken its effect on obtaining new credit.

How Will Filing Bankruptcy Affect Joint Account Holders?

Filing for bankruptcy dissolves your obligations, but if you have accounts where a spouse is a joint account holder or a co-signer, they then become solely responsible for the debt. This situation typically happens after a divorce. One way to solve the dilemma is to either pay off the bills after the divorce or place the debt in only one person’s name.

How Will You Feel If Your Financial Information Is Public?

Not everyone knows that when you file bankruptcy, it is a public matter. Anyone who is interested can see your most recent financial information. Since many people don’t know this, most people won’t try to look, but it is something to be cognizant of.

Bankruptcy is a big decision, but it is not the end of the world. As you decide what is best for your financial situation, use the information shared here. It also best to consult with a bankruptcy attorney to discuss your options.

Call attorney David Pinkston, bankruptcy lawyer for a free consultation today: (904) 389-5880. If you are thinking about #bankruptcy, #chapter13bankruptcy or #foreclosure in the Jacksonville, Florida area, you should call attorney David Pinkston. David is very experienced with all aspects of bankruptcy law yet very personable and easy to talk to. Call Us Today! (904) 389-5880