If you want to file for bankruptcy, you may not know where to begin. And it is true, there is a lot of information out there and a lot of bankruptcy laws you need to comply with. Here are some essential tips for handling bankruptcy, so that you know what you're getting into.
If you are facing a potential divorce, as well as, bankruptcy, carefully calculate which move you make first. You may benefit by waiting until after the divorce is filed so you will qualify for Chapter 7 instead of Chapter 13. This will keep you from being responsible for monthly payments that are associated with Chapter 13.
Think twice about filing for bankruptcy. You will have a mark on your personal credit record for seven years, and this will impact your ability to get credit in the future. Additionally, it may even impact your ability to get a job, as many employers perform a background check before hiring.
Do not go and apply for quick loans when you know that you are about to file for bankruptcy soon. You may think of this as free money, but if your lender realizes that this was why you applied for the loan you can be prosecuted and made to pay back the money.
Do not try to defraud the bankruptcy court by failing to list any assets. When you sign your bankruptcy forms, you do it under penalty of perjury. If the court finds out that you tried to be dishonest with them about anything, they will dismiss your case and there is a chance you may be prosecuted.
Always be honest in reporting all income, assets and debts when filing bankruptcy. If you hide any financial information, whether it is intentional or accidental, you run the risk of being barred from filing bankruptcy on those debts listed in your original bankruptcy petition in the future, which means you will have no relief from your financial burdens.
If you filed for bankruptcy, and now would like to restore your credit, be careful on how you do this. There are some legitimate companies out there that do want to help, and will. However, there are also very many companies that are just waiting to take advantage of people who are in a tough situation. So do your research very carefully, when trying to hire one of these companies.
When you file bankruptcy, you want to avoid finding yourself in similar dire financial circumstances, so planning for and making a post-bankruptcy budget is a good idea. When you can create such a budget and stick to it after bankruptcy, you are far less likely to find yourself in the same position in the future, ensuring you are more financially free.
Set a budget for yourself. If you are dealing with bankruptcy, it's a good idea to start getting your financial life in order. Not only will this show the judge and your bankruptcy trustee that you are making an effort to turn over a new leaf, this will help you to live your post-bankruptcy life in a better way than you did before.
A good personal bankruptcy tip is to be aware that even the refund you get from doing taxes can be subjected to your bankruptcy. A lot of people just think that their refund will be exempt, but this is not the case. It's generally not a good idea to opt for a large tax refund.
Having the right information is always the first step toward any decision, and bankruptcy is no different. Before making a decision on what you should do, take the time to learn all you can about it. Only then, can you feel confident about what you should do and how to proceed.