The goal of filing for bankruptcy is twofold: get out from under insurmountable debt and get a fresh start on financial stability. Unfortunately, not everybody succeeds in that second part. In fact, a study found that 8% of people who file for bankruptcy eventually file a second time around. Though you can file for bankruptcy protection as many times as you need to (and qualify), the Bankruptcy Code does impose a minimum amount of time that must pass between filings, with those thresholds dependent upon the type of bankruptcy you originally filed for and the type you want to file …Read More ➡

Cars and trucks represent different things to different people. For some, it means freedom, while others have tied their identity to the car they drive. Still, others rightly view their vehicle as a tool they rely on to get their work done or to get them to or from their job, school, or other responsibilities. For all these reasons, their car is one of the top concerns among bankruptcy filers. Here’s what you need to know about how bankruptcy courts approach vehicles. If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it will automatically stop collection calls about your car and put …Read More ➡

People rarely use cash to pay for anything these days. Credit cards make consumers’ lives easier, especially now that a wave of your smart phone or watch allows you to walk away with whatever your heart desires. Unfortunately, this ease of use can lead to trouble, especially if your income can’t keep up with your spending or your needs and your credit card debt has grown out of control. Beyond shopping, if you need to pay a medical bill or have your car repaired or pay for your child’s orthodontia and you don’t have cash in the bank, a credit …Read More ➡

Bankruptcy is an invaluable tool for those who are facing mounting debts, but the advantages of a fresh start have to be weighed against the loss of the assets that will need to be sacrificed to the bankruptcy trustee for sale. As hard as it is to consider giving up a home, a vehicle, cherished jewelry or heirlooms, those things pale in comparison to the idea of having to give up a family pet. Still, under bankruptcy rules any animals that are owned need to be listed as assets — even your beloved dog, cat, bird, or snake The good …Read More ➡

If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard all the cautionary tales about how bankruptcy will destroy your credit and economic reputation. The truth is that the naysayers who warn against the bankruptcy process have never been in deep debt themselves. They have no understanding of the impact of piles of unpayable bills and nonstop collection calls. They also fail to recognize that doing nothing and continuing to struggle with debt does nothing to rebuild credit – while filing for bankruptcy eventually does. The truth is that those who are considering bankruptcy are already …Read More ➡

Filing for bankruptcy is an intimidating, scary process, and when you are anticipating doing so, it is natural to try to protect assets that are important to you and to provide for those who are closest to you. Before you do anything, it’s important to make sure that you know what you’re allowed and not allowed to do, as paying debts to friends or family members, or transferring savings or property out of your name and into a family member’s can lead to charges of fraud or preferential treatment. Your best bet is to seek advice from an experienced bankruptcy …Read More ➡