Introduction: 7 Things to Consider When Filing Bankruptcy Below is a list of items that you must think about when you are deciding to file for bankrup



Introduction: 7 Things to Consider When Filing Bankruptcy

Below is a list of items that you must think about when you are deciding to file for bankruptcy.

1. Cost. Most attorneys will try to get as much as they can out of you. Know that a typical Chapter 7 costs roughly $700 to $800, this figure really depends on the situation; however, if you have no unusual assets (such as a large boat or another house in Aspen) then look for the magic $700 to $800 number. Chapter 13s are closer to $1200 to $1300.

2. Most firms will allow you to set up a payment plan. Normally, they will ask you for $100 a month and some will even offer $50 a month. Please be aware that if they do not offer a payment plan, you probably want to go with a different attorney.

3. Although the costs quoted above are a lot of money, the attorneys you hire should get on the phone to your debt collectors soon after you hire them. Within the week of you signing with an attorney, you sould stop getting those nasty creditor calls!

4. Moreover, as soon as you hire a lawyer, you can stop worrying about your debt. You can immediately cease payment on most of the credit card or medical bills that you are struggling with.

5. Be careful of hiring any law firm that advertises on TV on a regular basis. These firms usually are "bankruptcy mills," processing thousands of bankruptcies per month. The downside to this type of firm is that you may end up with someone that will not give you the care and attention you deserve. Much better to go with a smaller, less money-hungry firm. This concept became clear to me when I was researching firms for my own bankruptcy, which I did when I lived near the Milwaukee area a few years ago. After several meetings, I found a good but fair-priced firm called Debt Advisors (their link is on the right) -- try to find something like them in your area.

6. Once you hire an attorney, your bankruptcy should begin immediately, and the entire procress (from the time you fill out your paperwork to the moment of meeting with a judge and your debt is wiped clean) should last 90 days, roughly -- again, this time frame depends on how usual or unusual your case is. Also note that 7 years after you file, the slate is wiped clean, and you can file for bankruptcy again if you need to.

7. Finally, the most important thing to know is that when you meet with a lawyer, you should get the feeling that you trust them; after all, they are handling one of the most important decisions you will ever make.

Why you Must Consider Bankruptcy Alternatives


Bankruptcy is an ugly place to be, no doubt about that. Hopefully at the point of considering filing for bankruptcy, you have learned what got you into this position and are already making plans to ensure that this position does not occur to you again. You hopefully also understand that this is significantly different than the game of Monopoly where you can just roll the dice and start over

Why You Must Avoid Bankruptcy


Bankruptcy does more damage to you and the people around you than you think! In all cases, it is best to avoid bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy seems to be the most convenient and easy way out during times of financial trouble to many. And often people are not ready to go in for the phrase: Avoid Bankruptcy. But majority of the debtors are not aware of two very important things:

1. Bankruptcy is not a wise solution for all debtors.
2. Bankruptcy is followed by harmful consequences, damaging all aspects of life.

Bad Effects of Bankruptcy and Why You Must Avoid them!
The disadvantages inherent to the process of bankruptcy also speak a lot in favor of why it is better to avoid bankruptcy. Following are a few disadvantages of bankruptcy.

1. Ruined Credit History: Bankruptcy creates ultimate damage to one

Information You Must Know Before Filing Bankruptcy

Some people have a misconception when it comes to Bankruptcy. They do not have a clear understanding regarding what preparation must occur before filing. Does Bankruptcy mean you still owe debts? What requirements must unfold before filing? Here is a basic guideline regarding what to do before signing any Bankruptcy paperwork.

Provide Thorough Lists of Property and Assets

When filing for Bankruptcy, it is common to wonder what will happen to your home, cars and businesses during the process. Will the courts take your belongings away? Will the courts obtain control of your accounts and monetary items? The court will do nothing if you provide a thorough list of all property and assets. For the listed items are protected under Bankruptcy law. On the other hand, if you fail to provide a complete list of belongings, the left out items are unprotected and courts may take seize of those items at any moment. Therefore, be meticulous and list everything to ensure law protects the items.

Be Prepared for Your Credit Report to Remain in Shambles

Filing for Bankruptcy does not mend your damaged credit report. Your credit report will continue to exhibit a negative mark. Do not be fooled by myths that claim otherwise. In addition, Bankruptcy shall stay on your credit report for 10 years. Hence, evaluate if Bankruptcy is the right option for you before tinkering with the process.

Fibbing Leads to Case Dismissals

During any court proceedings, if a person is caught cheating, stealing and/or lying then, most likely, the case will result in dismissal. Therefore, why should filing Bankruptcy be any different? Be honest. Do not hide facts or misrepresent yourself. Do not leave out information regardless if the information is seemingly insignificant. For what may be insignificant to you may be pertinent to the courts. Provide the courts with ample information. Consequently, if you have legal representation, be upfront with him/her. The more you give your Bankruptcy attorney, the more prepared he/she shall be while in court.

Do Not Accumulate New Debts

Do not build any new debts while undergoing the process. If you purposely accrue new debts, thinking filing for Bankruptcy will avert from forcing to pay it back, a jail cell will be your next stop. It is illegal to proceed forth thinking in this manner. Thus, do not think about it. It will only get you into legal, and further financial, trouble.

Silence Bill Collectors

As soon as you file for bankruptcy, then creditors, including tax collectors become quiet. They are not permitted to contact you for any purpose and the harassing phone calls and letters stop immediately. The protection is permanent discharged debts. Keep in mind, Bankruptcy does not halt you from enduring criminal or governmental regulatory proceedings.

Bankruptcy Filings are Brutal

It is not an easy, simple process to undergo Bankruptcy filing procedures. There may be court dates to attend, additional information requested by the courts, and legal requirements difficult to comprehend. Your life may be shook up for a while. As a result, do your research and find someone who is a Bankruptcy expert able to handle and manage your case until the end.

New Bankruptcy Laws – Why You Must Avoid Bankruptcy Now?

The New Bankruptcy Laws - Truth about the unconstitutional new BK law changes. On April 20, 2005, George Bush signed the new "Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act" into law.


Bankruptcy Abuse? Do you know anyone personally who has abused the Bankruptcy laws, and are consumers really protected? Or, should this new bankruptcy bill be called the "Abuse the Consumer and Protect the Fraudulent Banks Act"?


We'll soon see...


In order to understand these unfair new bankruptcy laws, and to help you see that you must avoid bankruptcy, lets cover the original purpose of the BK laws.


According to U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, the primary purpose of the old bankruptcy Chapter 7, bankruptcy Chapter 11 and bankruptcy Chapter 13 laws were: 1) to give an honest debtor a "fresh start" in life by relieving the debtor of most debts, and 2) to repay banks and creditors in an orderly manner to the extent that the debtor has property available for payment.


Apparently the primary purpose of the new credit card bank BK laws is: 1) to repay banks and creditors in an orderly manner to the extent that the debtor has property available for payment.


However, with the new BK laws, giving an honest debtor a "fresh start" in life by relieving the debtor of most debts has been done away with.


The finance companies and credit card banks all blame the necessity of the bankruptcy changes on the .003% of abusers of the old bankruptcy laws.


Sponsors of the bill claim that most bankruptcy personal cases involve irresponsible spenders who have shopped or gambled their money away and now do not wish to pay their creditors so the new BK legislation, will eliminate "filing bankruptcy for convenience".


There is NOTHING further from the truth then these claims alleged by the credit card banks and finance companies. And, as you dig deeper into these pages, you'll see who's really abusing who in America's credit, finance and banking game.


They claim that bankruptcy costs the credit card banks billions of dollars each year and that those costs are passed on to customers in the form of higher interest rates.


That of course would be true if the credit card banks were actually lending any of their own money, or their customer's deposited money. For more details, read our page a history of money and banking secrets that banks don't want published.


And, by making bankruptcy filings harder for those with financial trouble, legislators say that more people will pay their bills, the credit card companies will save billions of dollars, and the resulting savings will be passed on to consumers in the form of lower interest rates.


We've never ever heard of a credit card company lowering interest rates voluntarily, and we know they never will.


New Bankruptcy Law Highlights


The key highlights of the credit card banks new bankruptcy laws are:


The new bankruptcy laws apply a means test for people filing bankruptcy. If a debtor has at least $100 per month left over after an IRS determined monthly expense plan, (can you picture that?) the debtor will be forced to file Chapter 13 and pay for five years.


Just imagine life after bankruptcy now.


They will not be able to file Chapter 7 of the Federal bankruptcy code, which would have eliminated all of their unsecured debt.


There are no provisions in the bankruptcy law for debt problems caused by job loss, illness or other traumatic events, despite studies that show that these are the cause of most bankruptcy cases.


Can you say Debt Slave?


With these new, credit card BK laws, attorneys are now responsible for the accuracy of paperwork filed by their clients. So in other words, your attorney must now search your dresser drawers for those hidden family heirlooms.


This will no doubt result in fewer bankruptcy attorneys, with the remaining ones raising their fees in order to cover this additional liability.


With the new bankruptcy laws most consumers are now completely unprotected from losing a job or having medical problems. They can no longer start over by filing for bankruptcy Chapter 7.


They will have less affordable help from capable BK attorneys due to the new bankruptcy law liability stipulation.


Giving an honest debtor a "fresh start" in life by relieving the debtor of most debts has been done away with completely thanks to the new bankruptcy laws.


However an amazing discovery has been made that you cannot miss learning about. Now that you must avoid bk as there is no PROTECTION for consumers provided by the new Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act if filing bankruptcy under the new bankruptcy laws.

Mark A. Cella, Founder of the Federal Debt Relief System. You must read this article today.