Facing personal bankruptcy can be a very stressful situation for any person or family. It can be especially difficult because there are companies and people out there looking to take advantage of you in your time of crisis. This article will arm you with the knowledge that you'll need to outsmart any scammers, and intelligently navigate your way through bankruptcy.

Evaluate your consultation with any lawyer by the way he or she handled the consult. Consider the length of your consult. If it lasted less than 15 minutes or it was with an assistant rather than an actual lawyer conducting the consult, this could signal that lawyer is probably not the best choice. You want someone that takes the time to handle your case personally, and you want to get your money's worth. You should also shy away from those lawyers who pressure you with phone calls or try convincing you immediately after a consultation by getting pushy.

Filing for bankruptcy will not only just stop credit card companies from harassing you about debt. It will wipe out many of your debts, which may include utility company bills, wage garnishment and foreclosure. It will reduce all of these debts down to zero, and you will have to rebuild your credit all over.

Include all financial information when filing for bankruptcy. Things that may not seem significant to you may be very important. Include all assets like: vehicles, every cent of income, retirement account, stocks and anything else that has value. Furthermore, include any lawsuits that are pending against you or other parties.

Find out as much as you can about the individual laws in your state. There is a lot of information about there, but every state has its particular laws that people are subject to. You may have a lawyer, but it is important that you know about this as well so you can make better decisions.

Make a detailed list. Every creditor and debt should be listed on your application. Even if your credit cards do not carry a balance at all, it should still be included. Loans for cars or recreational vehicles should also be included on your application. Full disclosure is imperative during this part of the bankruptcy process.

Before you decide to file for bankruptcy, be sure to obtain a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. Depending on where you live, you have the right to speak to an attorney before filing. Any good attorney will offer a first appointment free. This is an important consultation, as you will need the answers to many questions. These may include: attorney fees, what type of bankruptcy to file, and what types of information, paperwork you will need to provide. Most importantly, an attorney will be able to determine if filing for bankruptcy is the right decision for you.

Remember that certain kinds of debt won't be discharged even after you have filed for bankruptcy. If you have outstanding student loans, owe child or spousal support, a divorce settlement agreement, or unpaid taxes, you will still be liable for these debts. Also, if you forget to list certain debts on your court documents, you won't be able to add them in the future.

Be fully educated about the rules of bankruptcy. If the courts were to find that you have disregarded any of the rules in place, your petition could be dismissed. Laws prohibit picking and choosing some debts to pay off prior to filing for bankruptcy. Family members cannot be paid off within one year of filing and creditors are limited to ninety days.

Consider filing Chapter 13 rather than Chapter 7, if you are facing foreclosure. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to create a restructured payment plan which includes your mortgage arrears. This will allow you to get your mortgage payments current, so that you won't lose your home. Chapter 13 doesn't require you to turn over property, so you don't have to worry about the homestead exemption, either.

As you well know, filing for bankruptcy is a difficult and stressful decision. It is made even more difficult by all of the false information and scammers out there. However, with the tips and advice you've acquired here, you will get through your bankruptcy filing successfully and be on your way to a brighter financial future.