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Monthly Archives: September 2017

Three Things to Avoid Before Filing for Bankruptcy

If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you need to fully prepare for the many obstacles that can arise during the process. Failing to sufficiently prepare or taking incorrect steps during the bankruptcy process has the potential to significantly jeopardize your future. So that the bankruptcy process can continue as smoothly as possible, this article has been created to inform an individual who is planning for bankruptcy about various things that must be avoided before filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Error #1: Treating Family Members Differently Than Other Debtors Many individuals who have significant debt and who must ultimately file for bankruptcy believe that it is permissible to treat family members more preferentially than other debtors. This type of activity is not allowed, however. A bankruptcy trustee is able to reclaim any amount that a person repays to a family members within two years of filing for bankruptcy. As a result, individuals should treat family members like any other person to whom the individual owes money and wait to repay them. After the bankruptcy process is over, an individual will be able to pay back anyone that he or she chooses. Error #2: Not Appearing at     Read More

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How Long Will Bankruptcy Take?

While bankruptcy allows individuals a chance to rebuild their credit and start on new ground financially, this action is not for everyone. There are many distinct factors that can affect a bankruptcy and influence how long the process ultimately takes. This article will list some of the various factors that can influence how long a person’s bankruptcy process will take. Factor #1: The Number and Value of Assets a Person has In some cases, a person might have a great number of assets that the person wishes to save, while in other cases, a person might declare bankruptcy because the individual has fallen into debt. Generally, the greater and more valuable the assets that a person has, the longer that person’s bankruptcy process will take. Factor #2: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Resolves Faster Than Other Types of Bankruptcy In many cases, Chapter 7 bankruptcy lasts between three to four months. Frequently this process will involving obtaining an experienced bankruptcy attorney, filing an issue with the court, and liquidating a person’s nonexempt assets. While Chapter 7 bankruptcy is good for many individuals, a person is at risk of losing many of his or her assets in the process. The advantage of Chapter     Read More

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Buying a House After Bankruptcy

Recovering after a bankruptcy is not something that occurs quickly. Many individuals who declare bankruptcy have questions about how long it will take before they will be able to purchase a home. In many cases, the type of loan that a person requires for a house and how the person handles credit after their declaration of bankruptcy influences this process. Mortgage companies offer different “seasoning periods” after a person declares bankruptcy. Lenders might also have additional requirements about the length of time a person must wait after declaring bankruptcy. While some individuals struggle to recover after declaring bankruptcy, other individuals discover that they are able to buy a house within few years. If you are interested in buying a house, it is important to increase your credit profile and sometimes even obtain the assistance of a skilled attorney. This article will list some of the various factors that can influence the amount of time that a person can expect it will take to obtain a loan to purchase a house after declaring bankruptcy. Factor #1: Whether a Person Declares Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Whether a person declares Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will also determine how long     Read More

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Paying Utility Bills After Declaring Bankruptcy

In many cases, a person filing for bankruptcy might have fallen behind on his or her utility bills, which can include electric, gas, telephone, sewer, or water bills. As a result, many individuals are often left wondering how utility bills should be handled after they declare bankruptcy. This article will explain some important details about the bankruptcy process and your utility bills. Automatic Stays in Bankruptcy After initiating the bankruptcy process, a person needs to make sure that utility bills are listed as debts in his or her bankruptcy schedule. These schedules must list all delinquent accounts including utility debts that are owed and accounts that a person intends to keep paying. All companies included in the bankruptcy schedule will then receive notice that the person has filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result of these notices, the utility company is not permitted to discontinue a person’s utility services. Due to the automatic stay that is created when a person files a bankruptcy petition, all efforts by utility companies and associated collectors are prohibited. These efforts can include bills, lawsuits, or phone calls. Despite this protection, however, a person will be required to pay new bills that arise after filing     Read More

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