No Up Front Fees - Don't Pay Till You See Results!
5 Reasons You ShouldAvoid Bankruptcy
Instinctively most people want to avoid bankruptcy, or at least
use it as a last resort. The following list articulates some of the many reasons
why avoiding bankruptcy is typically your best alternative.
1. Bankruptcy affects your credit negatively for up to 10 years. In today’s fast
moving world committing yourself to tarnished credit for that long of a period
of time is rarely advisable.
2. Any time you’re asked “Have you ever filed bankruptcy?” on a loan or job
application, you’re legally obligated to answer “yes.” Even if you answer “no”
thirty years from now on a loan application, you’ve technically committed
criminal fraud.
3. More and more employers are checking credit reports before making hiring
decisions. With the internet boom, accessing information has become much easier
in the past 10 years, so the number of companies pulling credit reports prior to
making employment decisions is increasing rapidly. When you couple this with the
fact that bankruptcy stays on your credit for up to 10 years, filing makes even
less sense. Sure you’ll get relief in the short-term, but how much money will
this decision cost you down the line in higher interest rates, potential career
moves, etc.?
4. If you earn more than the median person in your state, it is possible you’ll
be forced to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy if you do not pass the “means test”.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a “payment plan” mandated by the court where a debtor
turns over their disposable income for up to 5 years to pay back their
creditors. Even though you’re paying back the debt, with interest and fees in
many cases, your credit still suffers. For credit card debt, this debt relief
option my not make sense. Consult with an attorney to determine your
eligibility and whether Chapter 13 is your best solution.
5. The emotional baggage associated with filing bankruptcy can be overwhelming.
Many consumers who have filed bankruptcy describe feelings of guilt, anxiety
about the future, and a sense of failure all at once. The emotional implications
when combined with the severe financial ones make most consumers want to avoid
bankruptcy if at all possible.