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Things To Consider Before Declaring Bankruptcy In Chicago

By Ruth Schmidt


Everybody wants to have a good life and to enjoy some luxuries, every once in a while. Sometimes, however, this might get out of hand, and you might find yourself sinking deeper and deeper into debt. There are various ways to get out of this situation, and for most people opting for bankruptcy in Chicago is the last choice. To avoid rushing into this decision, do some research, to know what you will be getting into.

When you start reading about this process, you notice that your income, and the kinds of debts you owe your creditors, will determine which category you fall in. If you happen to have a significant amount of debt and a small source of income, you are eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which will wipe out the cash balances. However, if you have a steady source of revenue, you should go for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This way, you have a longer time frame to clear the balances.

When you file for bankruptcy, you are essentially declaring that you cannot pay your debts. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all kinds of debt will go away. Things like student loans, taxes or child support will remain and will require being dealt with.

To pay some of your creditors, some of your possessions might be ceased and sold. This especially happens if you own luxury cars or holiday homes. You should also keep in mind that the documents relating to your financial state are public. Therefore, anybody can access them at any time. This might, therefore, affect your social life.

Credit ratings or reports are imperative if you want to take a loan or mortgage, at some point. Filing for bankruptcy, regardless of which section you file under, will affect your credit report, causing it to read negative for a long time. This might be reversible, but will require a lot of work and monitoring of your finances from that point on.

To ensure the success of your case you should get good legal representation. This way, you will understand what is going on, in and out of the courtroom. Choose someone with adequate work experience and who comes highly recommended, even if your case looks straightforward.

Even if money might be scarce, you still need to pay your attorney. With this in mind, avoid hiring someone because their rated are very low in a bid to save money. They might end up costing you even more in the long run. Due to your financial situation, you will find that most lawyers will require you to pay a particular sum of money upfront.

Even after applying for bankruptcy and winning you will still need to reevaluate you spending habits. This might mean being more frugal with your spending habits and changing your lifestyle. This way a few years down the line you will not need to go through the whole process again. This can easily be done by visiting a financial counselor who can help you embrace healthy spending habits.




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