Choosing to file for bankruptcy is a major decision most people don’t make lightly. It only happens after carefully considering their options and after speaking with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. But even if someone is feeling good about their decision to discharge their debt, they may still have concerns about their financial future, particularly what life will be like after bankruptcy.
A common misconception that people have about filing for bankruptcy is that it will ruin their credit for years. For most people who have come to the point where credit is no longer being offered to them, the damage to their credit scores has already been done. Past-due accounts and a high debt-to-income ratio have lowered your score.
After bankruptcy, credit can begin to be re-established. Your bankruptcy will be the only negative mark on your credit following Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Those past-due accounts and high levels of debt will be wiped away. With those negative elements missing from your credit report, it can begin to recover.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition will allow you to begin taking control of your debts. Chapter 13 takes your debts and creates a three- to five-year repayment plan during which time the goal is to pay an affordable portion of your debts. With the successful completion of your repayment plan you will be discharged from bankruptcy. Upon discharge, lenders will see you as less of a risk and a viable customer again.
This depends on how you choose to manage your spending and debt obligations after bankruptcy. Learning to manage your debts better and making smarter decisions about your spending will determine whether you can stay in the black for years to come or whether you will need to speak to a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney down the road.
At Schwartz Bankruptcy Law Center, our lawyers answer all of your bankruptcy questions and make sure you have the information you need to make smart debt relief decisions. The guidance and advice we give during our free initial consultations and after our services have been obtained help our clients move on with their lives and avoid future bankruptcy filings. Contact us today for help.
© 2024 Schwartz Bankruptcy Law Center. All rights reserved. Attorney advertising.