The aim of bankruptcy is to provide a consumer with a fresh financial start. It should relieve them of overwhelming debt and let them start over. In principle, it is a good idea but between changing laws and social stigma, it is something almost all consumers would prefer to avoid.There are two types of bankruptcy that apply to consumers. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Both are designed to help eliminate debt, but they are quite different in how they work. Chapter 7 is also known as credit card bankruptcy, and it is largely a type of reorganization for finances. The consumer gets to keep all property but must make monthly payments over a three to five year period to repay all or at least part of the debts owed. There are many exceptions that vary from state to state, and in some cases property can be taken.Chapter 13 is more commonly known as a wage earner bankruptcy. In this case, the consumer must have steady income that can be used to repay a portion of debts. There are also restrictions on amounts of secured and unsecured loans. It is possible to avoid property foreclosures by making up missed payments as a part of the repayment plan.Due to laws that changed in 2005, not only is bankruptcy harder to file for, it no longer erases all debt either. There are many restrictions about what can and cannot be included in the proceedings. Alimony, back child support, student loans and certain tax debts are but a few that are not included. The standards are now very difficult to meet, and it is all a part of a lobbying effort made by credit card companies who felt that consumers were abusing the system. For the consumer in serious, unpayable debt, it is no longer the easy solution it once was.
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Aug 12 2010
Basically, when you owe money, you are a debtor, and persons or companies who you owe the money, are Main creditors. The legal process that can protect debtors from their creditors is commonly known as bankruptcy. But bankruptcy, is not for everyone in debt, can be useful, depending on particular circumstances.There are more than one type of procedures of bankruptcy – in fact five different types. The most common procedures are known as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Usually, when people speak of “declaring bankruptcy,” they refer to Chapter 7, which is the procedure that gives you the chance to erase everything, avoiding almost all debts without having to make further payments in the future.Naturally, there are strict limits on how often can a person apply the procedures in Chapter 7. Chapter 13 is a different kind of arrangement. It can consolidate your debts and stop all or part of them while protecting you from being disturbed by your creditors. It’s often an excellent alternative when the Council of Consumer Credit or Chapter 7 are not available options.Will bankruptcy help me in my situation? Bankruptcy can give you a fresh start and often may seem very attractive to people in huge debt. However, the process is not for everyone. Declaring bankruptcy can affect your credit years or have serious consequences you will need considered.
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Aug 12 2010
So you have finally made a decision regarding your financial affairs, and you believe that bankruptcy is a necessary step for your future. Do you really need a bankruptcy lawyer to help you figure things out?
Yes, now more than ever, a bankruptcy lawyer is a must if you plan on filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in the near future. First of all, this professional assistance can help you decide whether bankruptcy is in your best interest to begin with. An honest and capable lawyer can examine your situation and answer specific questions that you may have regarding your own circumstances.
After all, every person is different, and you need to have a lawyer who cares specifically about your own set of circumstances. Once you have made a decision that bankruptcy is right for you, you still need a professional to help you along the way. You should not count on a paralegal or on a document preparation service at a time like this.
Why is a bankruptcy lawyer so crucial nowadays? Because Congress remade the bankruptcy code into something much more complex. Some bankruptcy attorneys refer to it as barf (the bankruptcy abuse reform fiasco). According to some experts, the law is such a mess that many lawyers and judges are still having trouble trying to figure out exactly what Congress meant when it passed a law. (This should come as no surprise, because Congress itself often doesn’t know what it’s doing. I imagine most of the members of Congress don’t even read the bills that they’re passing.)
You may have a buddy who tells you that declaring bankruptcy by yourself is a piece of cake. Chances are, however, that your friend declared bankruptcy before the recent changes in statutes. Take a prudent approach and get help from a professional who can help you navigate the maze known as the bankruptcy law. Meanwhile, continue to learn as much as possible through more articles like these.
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Aug 02 2010
The past few years have included many economic upheavals in the United States. Not only have corporations that were once thought to be untouchable admitting to years of dishonest business practices, but many more were forced to lay off thousands of people or even shut their doors forever. These occurrences have had dire consequences for hardworking families all over the country, as regular people have seen their savings slip away, while credit card bills and mortgage payments continue to build up. If you’re at the end of your financial rope, you should know that declaring bankruptcy is your right. Many responsible people shudder at the mere mention of filing for bankruptcy, but it’s important to remember that it is your Constitutional right to choose this option to get out of debt and get your finances back under control. In this uncertain job and credit market, the last thing that you want to do it risk losing your home or your car because of your financial problems. It’s important that you realize there is nothing to be ashamed of and that filing Chapter 7 or 13 might be the best way for you to salvage what remains of your assets. In most cases, people are still eligible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is the option that allows you to erase your debt and start fresh.
It’s important to remember that filing for Chapter 7 might put some of your more valuable possessions, like cars, houses, and boats at risk of being sold to pay off your creditors. Of course, you would want to talk to a bankruptcy attorney to understand what assets may be exempted, and thus, protected from being sold. Generally speaking, Chapter 7 is usually the fastest way to eliminate your creditors and start building a new financial life.
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Aug 02 2010
Bankruptcy is a toughest decision to make. But sometimes people go with this option due to unexpected expenses. Usually, people adopt this option when they are not able to pay back the money to creditors. Good bankruptcy information is difficult to find. Anyone can file for it such as individual, company, and organization. As per experts, it is a fruit which should be eaten properly and carefully. It could be a most important decision of your life, so do consult properly before filing it. If individual fails to pay the debts through debt consolidation, then he/she can file for it.
Bankruptcy can be divided into three parts or chapters, Chapter 7, chapter 13 and chapter 11.
Chapter 7 is the best option for those debtors whose income is below the median of debts and got unsecured debts. All unsecured debts like credit cards, unsecured loans, medical bills, education fees etc.
Chapter 13, this bankruptcy plan is applicable only those debtors who are earning sufficient funds from job. Courts create a payment plan for debtor where he/she has to pay a particular amount to court every month for terms of 3-5 years.
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Jul 28 2010
Those who are faced with a fear of overgrowing debts, and wishes to file for bankruptcy might not have a clue about the recourse to the problem. The first course of action is to file a bankruptcy paper in the bankruptcy court.
-How Can You File Bankruptcy?
Filing for bankruptcy is a legal process and for this reason, and for the financial wellbeing, decisions taken in this regard should be weighed with pros and cons. The individual should decide whether professional assistance is needed or he can go on his own. Though it is possible to file for bankruptcy in the individual capacity, it requires high level of mental tolerance.
-How to decide you should file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
In case of filing the bankruptcy on your own, the decision regarding the choice of filing of bankruptcy i.e., either under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is to be taken judiciously. In the circumstances, it is wise enough to consult few people who are knowledgeable about filing of bankruptcy cases.
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Jul 20 2010
DIVORCE AND BANKRUPTCY
Divorce and bankruptcy are close enough to be kissing cousins. Lots of times, one follows the other. Financial troubles often are a major factor in the breakdown of a relationship. Nobody wants to file for bankruptcy. People wait to see if the financial issues work themselves out. Many times they wait too long and the relationship suffers. And if things were bad before the divorce, once the parties have to pay to operate two households instead of one, the financial situation becomes worse.
WHAT TO DO?
If you are married and considering divorce, get information about bankruptcy BEFORE the divorce is final. If you and your spouse can get along well enough to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy before your divorce is final, you can probably avoid paying the additional attorney fees and filing fees you would have to pay if you file bankruptcy separately. That can be a good chunk of change. Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy jointly, even while the divorce is going on, can be an especially good thing: it can also make the divorce much simpler. How about no billable hours trying to figure out who should pay which debts? Just chuck them all into the Chapter 7. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is, well, problematic for a divorcing couple. That is because it requires cooperation for the whole length of the Chapter 13 plan, which is at least three years and can be as long as five years. Who wants that long-term commitment to a transaction with a person you’re trying to get away from? Chapter 13 probably isn’t a good solution for any couple divorcing.
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Jul 13 2010
A mortgage loan, like a car loan, is secured debt since the amount owed is secured against the physical possession of the real property (the house or car). This means that if the debtor begins missing payments or is otherwise deemed to be in default (by making partial payments or conducting an unauthorized transfer of the property for example) then the lender has the right to reclaim the property that secures the debt: foreclose on the house or repossess the car. The exact specifics of what is allowed, when, and under what circumstances differs widely, but one thing that is certain is that bankruptcy cannot offer any permanent relief for secured debt. Nevertheless, bankruptcy can be used as an effective stalling tactic to prevent an immediate foreclosure on the property or auto repossession.
As soon as a petition is filed for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the court immediately issues an Order for Relief. This court order includes “automatic stay”, which orders creditors to stop all collection efforts immediately, including foreclosure. As soon as the bankruptcy court issues the Order for Relief, foreclosure proceedings are immediately suspended until the bankruptcy case is resolved. This was a large part of the reason that the institutional lenders that drafted the 2005 bankruptcy law made it much more difficult and time consuming for debtors to make the initial filing by adding the means test, the credit counseling requirements and other obstacles to a quick filing.
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Jul 13 2010
Bankruptcy can be a real burden on you and your family, especially because it can really destroy one’s reputation. This is because every court declares in the newspaper that the person goes bankrupt. So, if you were looking at bankruptcy like it was a good option, you should reconsider it because it really should be the last option on your mind. Now let’s see some reasons why bankruptcy isn’t a good option at all.First case of bankruptcy would be the Chapter 13, which actually involves a payment plan for your debt. This sounds much like debt management and since you are not getting it cleared off it would be stupid to file for that and have the disadvantages of filing for bankruptcy.The second case is Chapter 7, which means that you liquidate your business and if you are going for personal bankruptcy it means that you cannot afford to pay your personal loans and other debt you might have. The government made the requirements to be eligible for this type of bankruptcy very harsh, so if you can actually afford to pay the installments each month you will not be able to file for it. But if you can’t, there are many disadvantages that will definitely make you reconsider it as a good option for your debt.
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Jul 12 2010