People who have never filed for bankruptcy make a lot of assumptions about bankruptcy. Even those who have filed believe some common bankruptcy myths. Unfortunately, some of the misconceptions about bankruptcy prevent people who would benefit from filing.
If you’re considering bankruptcy to help ease your financial troubles, but something is holding you back, it’s important to research the situation. Knowing more about why people file for bankruptcy, how it can help your situation, and what life looks like after it’s over should all factor into your decision to file.
What are some of the most common myths about bankruptcy that cause people not to file?
Extravagant spending gets some people into financial trouble. However, in most cases, people turn to bankruptcy due to unavoidable circumstances. They lose their jobs, they’re diagnosed with severe illnesses that require expensive medical treatment, their spouse divorces them and wreaks financial havoc in their life… the list goes on.
Nobody should assume that someone who files for bankruptcy had to do so because they were irresponsible or made foolish financial decisions. Bad money management accounts for fewer than 10 percent of all bankruptcies. A bankruptcy attorney in Tampa, Florida helps you file for bankruptcy and make changes to get you back on track with your spending.
Bankruptcy is an option for the employed and unemployed. Your employment situation might affect what chapter you file. As a matter of fact, only people with an income can file for Chapter 13. This chapter of bankruptcy is sometimes called “wage earner’s bankruptcy” for this reason.
You’ll discuss your options during your initial consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. The meeting will include a means test that determines whether you qualify for chapter 7 or chapter 13.
One of the most common myths about bankruptcy is that you’ll never get credit again or you’ll need to wait a decade or more to do so. This is far from true.
Most people receive credit card offers shortly after filing or completing their bankruptcy. The fact that you filed remains on your credit report for 10 years, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be denied credit in every situation. Your terms will be different, but this is the case for anyone with financial challenges. You’re better off filing for bankruptcy and getting a handle on things that letting your financial woes drag on forever.
A bankruptcy attorney in Tampa, Florida helps you evaluate your situation and move forward with your credit opportunities.
It’s easy to understand why someone would avoid bankruptcy if they believed they’d lose everything they own. The good news is this isn’t the case with bankruptcy. In many cases, filing for bankruptcy is what allows you to keep your possessions. Bankruptcy can stop foreclosure, repossession, and wage garnishment. It’s the saving grace for many people.
If you’re concerned about the losses you’ll suffer if you file for bankruptcy, speak to an attorney about how you can use exemptions and other bankruptcy tools to protect yourself.
Have you avoided filing for bankruptcy because of a belief you have about the process or what it means? The best thing you can do is clear up any misconceptions and make an educated decision about your financial options.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact the Law Office of Robert M. Geller at 813-254-5696.
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