debt

Can I get rid of my Unsecured Debt when I file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Can I get rid of my Unsecured Debt when I file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

“Yes, you can get rid of some of your unsecured debt when you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but not all of it. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a debt reorganization plan that allows you to consolidate and repay some or all of your debts over a period of three to five years.”

What You Need to File Chapter 13 in Wyoming?

What You Need to File Chapter 13 in Wyoming?

“To file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Wyoming, you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Complete Credit Counseling: Before filing for bankruptcy, you will need to complete a credit counseling course from an approved provider. This course will help you understand your financial situation and explore alternatives to bankruptcy.”

Can I get rid of my second mortgage if I file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Can I get rid of my second mortgage if I file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

“Lien stripping is only available in Chapter 13 bankruptcy and is only possible if the value of your home is less than the amount you owe on your first mortgage. In other words, if your home is worth less than what you owe on your primary mortgage, then the second mortgage or home equity loan may be considered unsecured debt, which can be treated similarly to credit card or medical debts.”

Are you a farmer and owe a tax debt to the IRS? Chapter 12 is the filing you need to protect your land and equipment.

Are you a farmer and owe a tax debt to the IRS? Chapter 12 is the filing you need to protect your land and equipment.

“In Chapter 12 bankruptcy, you can file for a lien strip or lien avoidance if your property does not have enough equity value to cover the federal tax debt. A lien strip allows you to wipe out the lien imposed by the federal tax debt, effectively eliminating the debt.”

I am disabled, will I lose my disabled van if I file bankruptcy?

I am disabled, will I lose my disabled van if I file bankruptcy?

“When filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it can be a difficult and stressful process. One important thing to consider is how to protect your handicap van from being taken by your creditors. This can be accomplished by understanding the different ways that a creditor may attempt to seize your vehicle, as well as taking steps to ensure that any attempts are unsuccessful.”

What US Cities Will Be Most Impacted by The Recession?

What US Cities Will Be Most Impacted by The Recession?

“Increasing interest rates and high inflation have the US economy facing a potential recession in 2023. More and more businesses are choosing to decrease their employment rates, inventories, and construction projects to prepare for the worst.”

Credit Matters to Consider Prior to Filing Bankruptcy

Having to declare personal bankruptcy is one of the most difficult decisions any adult will have to face, as regards their finances. It can be immensely taxing to your emotional health and sense of self-worth—but this doesn’t have to be so. Many financial advisers agree that filing for bankruptcy can be the wisest course of action, relieving the stress of crushing debt and eliminating those constant collection calls. 

But, what do you do after, when you have to rebuild your credit, from the beginning, with the red letter of bankruptcy making alarm bells go off whenever a lender looks your way? Is there any real way to repair your credit? Turns out, there are several things you can do to optimize your chances of rebuilding your credit the right way, and there are lots of Best Credit Repair Guides online to help even more. 

  1. Make sure your bankruptcy is reflected accurately in your credit report. This may seem counterintuitive—but think about it. Would you rather have a bankruptcy turn up or a whole mess of outstanding balances? If your report is accurate, after bankruptcy all those discharged debts should be wiped out to nice, round $0s. However, some creditors will keep up reporting negative account information. If this happens, make sure to send each reporting agency a copy of your debt discharge, so they can remedy the error. In any case, be prepared for your credit score to depreciate considerably, sometimes by as much as 240 points, likely putting you around 530-540. 

  2. Budget, budget, budget. While we aren’t saying, by any means, that your bankruptcy was due to a lack of budgeting, since you’re newly dedicated to your financial health, it’s important to assess your income. Divide your expenses into three types: fixed, variable, and irregular. Fixed expenses are the ones whose amount never changes and that you absolutely must pay every month—say, your rent or your car payment. Variable expenses might be paid monthly as well, but their cost can fluctuate—like your utilities and food bills. Finally, irregular expenses are those that aren’t monthly but can come up periodically, like health insurance or Christmas gifts. 

Once you’ve figured out where you spend your money, and allocated an amount to each element, make sure to keep paying your non-bankruptcy-related accounts. Student loans, for instance, usually can’t be discharged and must still be honored. 

  1. Develop new credit. Building your credit up again is going to be an uphill battle, no doubt about it. One of the easiest ways to start is by applying for retail and gas credit cards, since these usually have less stringent requirements than other unsecured cards. Other credit cards with higher qualification standards may also be an option, since the fact that you can’t declare bankruptcy again for seven years may help your odds of approval. Another option is a secured credit card or loan. These do require a security deposit (hence the “secured” bit) but many offer the option of switching you to an unsecured card after a year or so. A third option is getting a co-signer with good credit. If you do go this route, the pressure to keep up with your payments is even stronger, since defaulting affects not just you, but your co-signer.

Since you did declare bankruptcy and took a big hit to your credit, you should be aware that any card or loan you may be able to obtain will have higher interest and more restrictions than if you had a great credit score. 

Once you’ve carefully followed these three steps, you should be well on your way to healthy credit. Congratulations!