Is It Time to File for Bankruptcy?
If you are struggling with your finances, it is likely that you have been considering whether to file for bankruptcy for a while; however, you may be unsure if it is the right solution for you. If you are looking into whether or not you should file for bankruptcy, it is important to have a full grasp on what you are facing and how it will affect your future.
What are the pros and cons of bankruptcy? Is bankruptcy right for you? While the questions below are not a substitute to discussing your case with a knowledgeable legal professional, they may provide you with some loose guidelines to help you determine whether or not bankruptcy is right for you. If you have morebankruptcy questions or if you would like to discuss the details of your case with my firm, give me a call today.
Questions to Ask Yourself About Bankruptcy
The first thing to do when choosing whether or not to file for bankruptcy is determining where you are at financially. Use the following questions to help decide how dangerous your situation is:
- Can you make your credit card payments?
- Are you constantly harassed by debt collectors?
- Do your finances feel out of control?
- Are you relying on your credit cards too much?
- Do you not know just how much you actually owe?
If you are answering in the affirmative to questions such as the above, it’s time to consider bankruptcy as a possible option to help sort out your finances. Bankruptcy, however, is not a decision to be taken lightly. While it can be an enormous benefit, it is a serious choice.
You should also consider the following questions to determine whether or not it’s truly time to turn to bankruptcy.
- Have I budgeted properly? Although not always the case, there are situations where bankruptcy may just be too extreme of a solution. For some individuals, taking a credit counseling class and imposing a strict budget is all that they need.
- Are my payments prioritized? If you’re struggling with debt, you need to make sure that money is going where it’s most needed first. For example, are you paying credit cards before your mortgage? Are you paying off a debt you owe to a friend before your car payments? Make sure that your priorities are in line and that money is being spent on the most important assets.
- Have I completely exhausted my options? In some cases, if budgeting isn’t enough, bankruptcy still may not be the first option to turn to—instead, you may want to look into some of the alternatives first. In some scenarios, debt negotiation or debt settlement may be your best bet.
I’ve decided bankruptcy is right for me—now what?
If you answered all of the questions above and believe that bankruptcy is the solution for you, you may have just taken the first step toward getting your life back on track. Now that you believe that bankruptcy is the choice for you, the next step is to contact an experienced Marietta bankruptcy attorney who will be able to walk you through the first steps of bankruptcy. For example, the first thing that you are going to want to determine is which chapter of bankruptcy is right for you.
Chapter 7, otherwise known as straight liquidation, is a good option for people who have little property that they would be afraid to lose during liquidation, and do not have enough money left over each month to even properly cover basic expenses. On the other hand, Chapter 13 may be right for you if you have a lot of property or assets, and regular income.
After you decide which chapter is right for you, your attorney will be able to walk you through the rest of the bankruptcy process—no matter whether that is taking the means test, helping you to complete certified credit counseling, or helping file all of the appropriate documents.
Contact a Marietta Bankruptcy Lawyer Today
At Cherney Law Firm LLC, I know that filing for bankruptcy can be confusing and emotionally difficult. You may struggle to admit that you need help; for some people, taking that first step is hard. The good news is that you don’t have to go through this alone. I know what you’re facing and I am prepared to help you move toward a debt-free future. If you are interested in discussing your case, and would like to take advantage of the free consultation, please do not hesitate to contact me at 770.485.4290 today.