Chapter 7

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Tips To Improve Your Credit Score After Bankruptcy

Author: Thomas Jhon

When the court declares a person as bankrupt, it has direct adverse effects on his/her credit record. If you are one of those who are facing this painful situation, you must know that life does not end with bankruptcy. There are still plenty of ways to improve your credit score after bankruptcy. However, in order to know how to do that, you must first have a good understanding of how getting bankrupt affects FICO score. Lack of awareness may prove to be very costly for you. Once you get the right picture about that, you can easily figure out the steps you need to follow to improve your situation.

Effects Of Bankruptcy On Credit Score

If you are in a situation where filing for bankruptcy seems to be the only option, you are very much likely to have a very low credit score at this point. But, it is important for you to keep in mind that when you are declared as bankrupt, a large part of your credit record is deleted. Most of the negative items, such as late payments are removed from your report. The deletion of all these negative items offsets the mention of bankruptcy on your credit report to a great extent. It means your credit score after bankruptcy is not going to fall much further down. You will see a very little difference – if at all there is a difference.

You Are In A Different Category

Another thing that is very important for you to understand that the FICO score system has special provisions for people in bankruptcy. You will be put into a separate category, where the past financial history will not be taken into account to determine credit score after bankruptcy. Only the future use of credit is taken into consideration.

Monitor Your Credit Record

Monitoring of your credit record is very crucial at this stage. There are three major credit agencies and you can get a free copy of your FICO report annually from each of them. The idea behind monitoring is to make sure that your report is free from any kind of errors or omissions.

Pay Your Bills In Time

If you are serious about improving your credit score after bankruptcy, you must make it your top priority to pay all your bills in a timely manner. Any default at this stage is going to be very expensive for you. Even if you are in a situation where you think you are going to run late on payments, you must contact your lender and ask him to make some arrangements.

Likewise, you must also pay down your outstanding debts as soon as possible, as it will help you achieve a better credit score after bankruptcy at a faster pace.

Article Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/law-articles/immigration-law-articles/tips-improve-your-credit-score-after-bankruptcy-25633.html

About Author:
Having been declared bankrupt by the United States bankruptcy court, you are bound to have adverse effects on your credit record. after bankruptcy. You may also look forward to paying your outstanding debts as soon as possibledebt consolidation loan.

Bankruptcy 7

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions

Author: David Romito

Federal and state bankruptcy laws reflect the public policy value that no one should be deprived of all of their property.  The federal bankruptcy laws, as well as the state laws where you reside, therefore, both allow for certain "exemptions."  Federal exemptions are the same for all bankruptcy filers nationwide, while state exemption limits vary from state to state. The debtor may choose whether to use the federal or state exemptions; in general it’s best to use the federal exemptions because they are more ‘generous’ (that is to say, higher).

How your assets will be treated with respect to these exemptions depends on how much ‘equity’ you have in the property. Equity for all property that is not collateralized (that is, there are no liens against it) is simply the fair market value of the property.  Equity for property that does have a lien against it (the most common examples being a house or a vehicle) is calculated simply by subtracting from the fair market value of the property any amounts you owe on loans secured by that property.  For example, let’s say your house has a fair market value of $200,000, and that you have a first mortgage outstanding balance of $150,000, and a second mortgage (or home equity loan) balance owed of $30,000.  Your equity would be calculated as:

            Fair market value:                                                         $200,00TEMPLATE

            First mortgage balance:                                                $150,00TEMPLATE

            Second mortgage balance:                                            $30,00TEMPLATE

            Total debt secured by home:                                         $180,00TEMPLATE

            Equity in home:                                                            $20,000        

Bankruptcy exemptions set a certain dollar limit on the amount of equity that you can have in a specific type of asset. If you have more equity than what the prescribed exemption allows, the bankruptcy trustee may seek permission from the court to ‘administer’ the property, that is, to sell it in order to distribute the proceeds among your creditors. 

And that raises the very important question, what are the exemption limits for the various types of property?  To help answer that question, below are listed the federal exemption dollar limits for the most common asset types.  Bear in mind, these figures are for a single debtor.  To calculate the figures for a married couple (that is, for joint debtors), simply double the dollar amounts indicated:

Real property                                                         $ 20,20TEMPLATE

Vehicle                                                                  $   3,225

Household goods (clothes, appliances, etc.)             $ 10,775

Jewelry                                                                 $   1,35TEMPLATE

Retirement accounts (401K, 403B etc.)                     unlimited

“Wildcard”                                                              $   1,075*

* There is actually a second, and much larger, “wildcard” exemption available, but it’s a function of what amounts the debtor has used in other categories and is therefore a little more complicated to calculate – you’d be well advised to talk to an attorney about this one.

In sum, then, the above should give you at least a rough idea of whether you are within the limits – as far as assets are concerned – for qualifying for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  If you’re not, don’t despair – this might just mean that you’ll need to consider filing under Chapter 13 instead.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bankruptcy-articles/chapter-7-bankruptcy-exemptions-730505.html

About the Author

David Romito is a Bankruptcy Attorney handling matters in Pittsburgh and the Western District of Pennsylvania. For more answers to your bankruptcy questions, please visit his website at Pittsburgh Bankruptcy Attorney .

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy  by The Sage Libraries

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions

Author: David Romito

Federal and state bankruptcy laws reflect the public policy value that no one should be deprived of all of their property.  The federal bankruptcy laws, as well as the state laws where you reside, therefore, both allow for certain "exemptions."  Federal exemptions are the same for all bankruptcy filers nationwide, while state exemption limits vary from state to state. The debtor may choose whether to use the federal or state exemptions; in general it’s best to use the federal exemptions because they are more ‘generous’ (that is to say, higher).

How your assets will be treated with respect to these exemptions depends on how much ‘equity’ you have in the property. Equity for all property that is not collateralized (that is, there are no liens against it) is simply the fair market value of the property.  Equity for property that does have a lien against it (the most common examples being a house or a vehicle) is calculated simply by subtracting from the fair market value of the property any amounts you owe on loans secured by that property.  For example, let’s say your house has a fair market value of $200,000, and that you have a first mortgage outstanding balance of $150,000, and a second mortgage (or home equity loan) balance owed of $30,000.  Your equity would be calculated as:

            Fair market value:                                                         $200,00TEMPLATE

            First mortgage balance:                                                $150,00TEMPLATE

            Second mortgage balance:                                            $30,00TEMPLATE

            Total debt secured by home:                                         $180,00TEMPLATE

            Equity in home:                                                            $20,000        

Bankruptcy exemptions set a certain dollar limit on the amount of equity that you can have in a specific type of asset. If you have more equity than what the prescribed exemption allows, the bankruptcy trustee may seek permission from the court to ‘administer’ the property, that is, to sell it in order to distribute the proceeds among your creditors. 

And that raises the very important question, what are the exemption limits for the various types of property?  To help answer that question, below are listed the federal exemption dollar limits for the most common asset types.  Bear in mind, these figures are for a single debtor.  To calculate the figures for a married couple (that is, for joint debtors), simply double the dollar amounts indicated:

Real property                                                         $ 20,20TEMPLATE

Vehicle                                                                  $   3,225

Household goods (clothes, appliances, etc.)             $ 10,775

Jewelry                                                                 $   1,35TEMPLATE

Retirement accounts (401K, 403B etc.)                     unlimited

“Wildcard”                                                              $   1,075*

* There is actually a second, and much larger, “wildcard” exemption available, but it’s a function of what amounts the debtor has used in other categories and is therefore a little more complicated to calculate – you’d be well advised to talk to an attorney about this one.

In sum, then, the above should give you at least a rough idea of whether you are within the limits – as far as assets are concerned – for qualifying for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  If you’re not, don’t despair – this might just mean that you’ll need to consider filing under Chapter 13 instead.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bankruptcy-articles/chapter-7-bankruptcy-exemptions-730505.html

About the Author

David Romito is a Bankruptcy Attorney handling matters in Pittsburgh and the Western District of Pennsylvania. For more answers to your bankruptcy questions, please visit his website at Pittsburgh Bankruptcy Attorney .

Chapter 7 Lawyer

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New York Bankruptcy Lawyers: Chapter 7

Author: marryzalaa

Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organizations to pay their creditors. Bankruptcy law provides for the development of a plan that allows a debtor to resolve his debts through the division of his assets among his creditors. This supervised division also allows the interests of all creditors to be treated with some measure of equality. Few bankruptcy law proceedings allow a debtor to stay in business and use revenue generated to resolve his or her debts.

Customer advocate site designed to tell you, the people what you need to know about this new law with words you can understand. Many people turn to a bankruptcy attorney for help. Bankruptcy Lawyers can help explain bankruptcy law and ensure that the bankruptcy process goes as smoothly as possible. When most people think of bankruptcy, they think in terms of Chapter 7, where the unsecured debts are normally discharged in full. Bankruptcy of any variety is a difficult or deal at best, but at least with Chapter 7, a debtor was able to wipe out their debts in full and get a fresh start. Chapter 13, however, is another story, since the debtor must pay back a significant portion of the debt over a 3-5 year period, with 5 years being the standard under the new law. Prior to the advent of the "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005," the most common reason for someone to file under Chapter 13 was to avoid the loss of equity in their home or other property. And while equity protection will continue to be a big reason for people to choose Chapter 13 over Chapter 7, the new rules will force many people to file under Chapter 13 even if they have NO equity. That's because the means test will take into account the debtor's income level.

Filing Bankruptcy is a difficult decision to make. In 2008 over 1 million Americans filed personal bankruptcy in order to improve their financial situation. Bankruptcy can help you prevent foreclosure of your home, stop debt collector harassment and get a fresh financial start.

However, the figures used by the court for living expenses are NOT your actual documented living expenses, but rather the schedules used by the IRS in the collection of taxes. A big problem here for most consumers is that their household budgets will not reflect the harsh reality of the IRS approved numbers.  So even if you think you are "safe," and will be able to file Chapter 7 because you don't have $100 per month to spare, the court may rule otherwise and still force you into Chapter 13. Some of your actual expenses may be disallowed. What remains to be seen is how the courts will handle cases where the cost of mortgages or home rentals are inflated well above the government schedules. Will debtors be expected to move into cheaper housing to meet the court's required schedule for living expenses? No one has any answers to these questions yet.

It will be up to the courts to interpret the new law in practice as cases proceed through the system. The two most common consumer bankruptcies are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Sponsoring bankruptcy lawyers handle these types of bankruptcies exclusively so you can be sure you are getting accurate legal advice when you file bankruptcy. Bankruptcy attorneys will fight to protect your rights and your property. Bankruptcy attorneys fight the aggressive and annoying creditors for you. They can help you keep your home, vehicles and other property. A bankruptcy lawyer will be committed to getting you debt relief and providing you with valuable information, services and advice to get you a better financial future. There are many convenient locations to make filing bankruptcy or learning about the alternatives we offer, even easier.,

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bankruptcy-articles/new-york-bankruptcy-lawyers-chapter-7-1545458.html

About the Author

Storobin & Spodek LLP is a NY Chapter 7 law firm. If you are looking to speak to a Bankruptcy Lawyer New York, please call (800) 391-8392

Chapter 7 Filing

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Should I File Chapter 13 Or 7 Bankruptcy?

Author: Eulalia Allmand

If you live are under tremendous financial pressure and unable to pay off your outstanding debts, then filing bankruptcy may be the only viable option that you have.

As an individual you have a choice of filing for bankruptcy under two chapters. An explanation of both the chapters - and how to choose the chapter more suitable for you - is given below.

Chapter 7

You can file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 only if you pass the "Means Test".

This test involves calculating your gross income and assets and deducting your liabilities and your expenses during the past 6 months prior to you having filed for bankruptcy. These numbers are then compared with the average median income of a similar sized family in Texas.

If your net income is lower, then you qualify for filing under Chapter 7; otherwise, you may have to file under Chapter 13. Once you file under Chapter 7, the court will appoint a trustee, who will sell off your unprotected or non-exempt assets to pay off your creditors.

Your case can be discharged within 6 months if you file for bankruptcy under this Chapter. Since normally your home and cars will be exempt, you will be able to retain these assets.

If your home and car are at risk as a result of not being able to meet your obligations, then you can see why retaining a qualified bankruptcy attorney like Allmand and Lee to file Chapter 7 on your behalf is a wise choice.

Chapter 13 Explained

Unlike Chapter 7, filing under Chapter 13 will give you the chance to repay your outstanding debts over a longer period of time, usually between 3 to 5 years. You also have the chance to keep all your property.

As with Chapter 7, once your attorney files for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 on your behalf, your creditors will no longer be able to foreclose on your home or take your possessions. By law, they must also stop harassing you immediately.

Once you file under Chapter 13, you will need to submit a repayment plan to the court, detailing your plan to pay off your debts. Your bankruptcy attorney can even try to get a part of your loan discharged, so that you can pay off the rest.

If your plan is approved, the court will appoint a trustee, who will monitor your repayment schedule to ensure that you stick to it.

Chapter 13 or 7?

Usually (depending on the situation), individuals try to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 in order to get most of their outstanding debts discharged. The time taken to do this is also quite less as compared to filing under Chapter 13.

The problem is that with the new, stricter laws put into place after October 2005, you might find it difficult to file under Chapter 7 and might have to file under Chapter 13. Most of your assets may also be disposed of by the court trustee in order to satisfy your creditors.

This might not happen under Chapter 13.

Therefore, Chapter 13 allows you to stay in control as you chart out a repayment plan stretching between 3 to 5 years. If you are wary of losing many of your assets and do not mind a longer repayment plan, then you could ask your bankruptcy attorney if you can file under Chapter 13.

However, if you want your case to get discharged within a short time and are unable to come up with a long-term plan to raise money to pay off your creditors, then filing under Chapter 7 would be a better option.

So, compare both chapters with your bankruptcy attorney before deciding on which chapter is the better option.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/should-i-file-chapter-13-or-7-bankruptcy-447212.html

About the Author

Allmand & Lee are bankruptcy lawyers in Dallas, TX who specialize in consumer bankruptcy and offer bankruptcy services that help good people through one of the toughest times in their life. For more information please visit us at http://www.allmandandlee.com/