If you’re facing insurmountable debt, living with family can eliminate many expenses and provide significant economic relief. But if you’re considering filing for bankruptcy, it can also introduce a level of complexity to your process, and possibly derail your ability to qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Here’s what you need to know. There are two types of personal bankruptcy filings that people pursue: Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges debt, while Chapter 13 redistributes it, creating a payment plan that may reflect reduced interest rates, a more extended payment period, or other favorable terms meant to make the debt more manageable. …Read More ➡

Saving for retirement is one of the greatest gifts you can give your future self. The more diligent you are about putting money away, the more easily you’ll be able to enjoy life after you stop working. But while you’re planning for the future, present circumstances can get out of control. Medical emergencies, job losses, rising prices and indiscriminate spending can all lead to insurmountable debt, leaving you with few options. If you’re considering bankruptcy and are concerned that it will deplete the money you’ve worked so hard to save, there’s good news: in most cases, you will be able …Read More ➡

For most people, their home is their biggest purchase and most valuable asset, so it comes as no surprise that it is also the biggest concern when considering filing for bankruptcy. If you are in this position, then you may be considering selling your house, even though you may not want to actually leave it. It’s just that the idea of having it sold out from under you by a bankruptcy trustee feels unacceptable.  Though it is possible to sell your home before filing for bankruptcy, it is not recommended, and if you do so you need to make sure …Read More ➡

Many people who’ve filed for bankruptcy say that though reaching the decision was hard, once it had been made, they felt that an incredible burden had been lifted from their shoulders.  While the promise of a fresh start represents an enormous psychic shift, the process is not automatic. In most cases, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will take between four and six months from the point that you file until the discharge of debts finally takes place. Of course, bankruptcy does not begin with the filing itself. Before the filing, there are several steps that you’ll need to take, including: Collecting …Read More ➡

The pressure of insurmountable debt is enormous and so too is the sense of relief that you feel after moving forward with a bankruptcy filing. It’s perfectly normal. But that feeling of having a great weight lifted off of your shoulders is quickly followed by the realization that you are back to square one — actually below square one — when it comes to your credit rating.  Though it can take time, and the bankruptcy filing will remain on your credit history for several years, there are several steps you can take to start rebuilding your financial health and improving …Read More ➡

For some, the idea of filing for bankruptcy is an absolute taboo subject, something that they associate with failure and work hard to avoid at all costs. For others, bankruptcy represents a life preserver when they feel like they’re drowning – a way to get their feet under them again and return their lives to some semblance of normalcy. Just as there’s a wide range between those two extremes, there’s a huge range between levels of credit card debt and how it impacts an individual consumer. The national average credit card balance hovers somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000. For some, …Read More ➡

Bankruptcy, and especially Chapter 7 bankruptcy, offers a fresh start for those who have racked up insurmountable debt. Though debtors may be vulnerable to some of their assets being liquidated, the filing can wipe away unpaid medical bills and credit card bills and allow the possibility of moving forward without the burden of debt collectors and past-due notices. The same is true for tax debt, but only in certain circumstances. Here’s what you need to know about how bankruptcy will affect your tax debt. The first thing – which is often the most important to taxpayers – is that once …Read More ➡

Bankruptcy offers a financial lifeline for those who are unable to pay their debts, but the people who could most benefit from the process are often hesitant, stymied by the taboo that has been attached to seeking economic help. Many falsely believe that those who file for bankruptcy are simply undisciplined or irresponsible in their spending habits This is unfortunate and reflects a lack of understanding of the most common drivers of overwhelming debt. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons that people seek bankruptcy protection. Medical bills – When people filing for bankruptcy are asked what drove …Read More ➡