Some people don’t know how they’ve accumulated so much debt over the years. What they know is that they want their debts eliminated immediately. One way to erase a huge portion of your debt is to file for bankruptcy. Before you decide to file a claim, you should know the difference between the two most common types of bankruptcies and you should also understand how to claim bankruptcy responsibly. Filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 erases nearly all your debts so it feels as though you’re starting over. However, you may have some difficulty filing under Chapter 7 since it’s seldom allowed in court nowadays. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is much more common.
The next step you have to take is to decide whether you’ll file a claim on your own or hire a legal representative to do it for you. All the necessary bankruptcy forms can be found online, particularly on your state government’s website. These are the same forms you would fill out if you were to hire a lawyer. On these forms, you are supposed to fill in your debts, assets, and income. You should list down the companies or agencies you owe money to. Your claim could be denied if you fail to provide complete information. This does not excuse you from paying the full amount still.
If you file for bankruptcy under Chapter 13, your debts are reduced and consolidated into something more manageable. The terms will be more favorable so that you can afford to make monthly payments on time. Your credit rating also won’t be affected in a drastic way. Unfortunately, there are some exceptions to this. For instance, your student loans can’t be discharged through the bankruptcy process. If you are having problems keeping up with payments, you can contact the agency that issued the loan.
For more information on the personal bankruptcy process, please contact claimingbankruptcy.net.