Bankruptcy 101: A Guide To Filing For Bankruptcy
Are you in debt and not sure how to get out of it? If you are, the only solution may be to file for bankruptcy, which means you should find a bankruptcy lawyer. As with most legal situations, lawyers can provide expertise and experience that you may not have. The only downside of hiring a bankruptcy attorney is that you need to have a certain amount of money to obtain the attorney. People filing for bankruptcy don't usually have that kind of extra cash. Still, it will be worth it if you really need to file for bankruptcy.
How can an attorney help me?
As mentioned above, the lawyer brings knowledge and experience to the case. They know all the laws and rules regarding the process for bankruptcy. They can help you fill out all the required paperwork that you need to file in order to make sure you do it correctly. They will give you tips and tricks for gathering all the people you are in debt to and which ones can be covered under the bankruptcy. They will personally represent you in court, which is a huge benefit for a lot of people who may be uncomfortable about facing a judge without representation.
What type of things can be filed for bankruptcy?
If you are filing Chapter 7, you can claim the majority of your debts in your name. The debts have to be unsecured, like credit card bills or medical debt. You cannot claim student loans, child support, taxes, or other secured debt. Your attorney will give you a list of examples of unsecured and secured debts so you can determine which one your debt will fall under and how much debt will be erased. It is important to list all the creditors when you file, otherwise, you will still have some debt collectors hounding you.
What happens after you file?
After you file, there will be a small period of time and then your debts will be taken care of. If your debt collectors still contact you after this period, you can give them the information regarding your bankruptcy suit and they will not be allowed to call again. Your bankruptcy claim will be on your credit for seven to ten years after you file. You can file again but you have to wait a certain number of years, which varies based on the type of bankruptcy you filed. Your attorney will discuss the steps to take if you think you need to file it again in the future.