Credit Information

Bankruptcy Myths Busted





The average American knows very little about bankruptcy. Most people probably are aware of bankruptcy's ability to dissolve debt and give the debtor a fresh start. Some of the information you might have heard is correct, but some is not. The purpose of this article is to dispel some of the most common bankruptcy myths.

1. Even if I file for bankruptcy creditors will still harass me and my family.

This is absolutely false. Bankruptcy law provides for an automatic stay. Simply, as soon as you file for bankruptcy a hold is put on all your outstanding debts and any creditor attempts to collect those debts. The law prohibits a debtor to attempt to collect, possess, or even contact the debtor in regard to the debt. If a creditor does not follow the rules, the debtor may have an action in the form of punitive damages. Basically, punitive damages are meant to punish a creditor for not following the procedures set out in the bankruptcy code. Whether a debtor has a cause of action against a creditor should be left to an attorney to answer. However what you need to know is this; once you file for bankruptcy, creditors must leave you alone or suffer the consequences.

2. If I file for bankruptcy it may cause more family troubles than I already have, maybe even divorce.

This is also false. There are two ways a debtor can file for bankruptcy voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary filing is done by the debtor. The debtor talks to an attorney or files a petition pro se and gets the bankruptcy process started. In an involuntary bankruptcy, the creditor forces the debtor into bankruptcy often times unwanted by the debtor. Voluntary filing is the result of a family discussing their options with each other and possibly an attorney and making an informed decision on the merits. Divorce is often associated with a bankruptcy with the latter filing. Voluntarily filing for bankruptcy gives the debtor a chance to set his terms and allows the debtor a free choice for the bankruptcy.

3. If I file for bankruptcy the trustee will seize all of my assets and sell them to settle my debts with creditors.

Again this is false. While it is one of the duties of a trustee to sell assets in the estate, the trustee cannot necessarily reach all of your assets. There are many factors that must be examined before this happens. The type of bankruptcy as a lot to do with how much the trustee can seize. For example, a chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy. Simply, the debtor keeps the majority if not all of his assets, and forms a repayment plan to satisfy interested creditors. Even in a chapter 7 filing the debtor gets to keep many assets. These are called non-exempt assets. The debtor's house, car, clothing, furniture, life insurance, etc. are all non-exempt assets. These are just a few of the main assets. An attorney will be able to arm you with the information you need to keep even more personal property a debtor thought possible.

4. If I file for bankruptcy now, I will never be able to file again.

Surprise, this too is false. Filing for bankruptcy does not make you ineligible to file again. Without going into too much detail, just know the bankruptcy code allows a debtor to file for bankruptcy more than once. There are a few things different most importantly possibility of discharge, however you can file for bankruptcy again if you already have filed.

5. If I file for bankruptcy I will never get credit again.

This is simply false. If this were true then nobody would file for bankruptcy. Americans depend on credit and this is no different than a debtor who has filed for bankruptcy. Several banks now offer credit on a secured basis to potentially risky customers. The debtor would put up a small amount of money so as to secure payment in the future. Once the debtor proves his ability to pay, credit limits get higher. As little as two years after a chapter 7, a debtor is eligible for mortgage loans on terms equal to someone who has not gone through bankruptcy. Creditors look more to a debtors stability, as opposed to the fact you filed for bankruptcy.

Read more about bankruptcy at www.bankruptcyhome.com

Original content from http://www.bankruptcyhome.comcan contact at siteadmin@bankruptcyhome.com


MORE RESOURCES:

TheStreet.com

S&P upgrades Invesco credit ratings
BusinessWeek
Standard & Poor's raised investment-grade credit ratings for Invesco Holding Co. Ltd. on Wednesday, citing the investment manager's recent performance ...
S&P says may cut AT&T's credit rating by one notchReuters
AT&T Placed on Credit Watch NegativeTheStreet.com
AT&T: Focus On Buybacks Could Spur S&P Credit Rating CutBarron's (blog)
Dallas Business Journal -Phone Plus (blog) -ClaimsJournal.com
all 66 news articles »


The Economist (blog)

Credit cards more transparent, but problems remain
Examiner.com
New credit card offers have dropped most of the practices considered "unfair" or "deceptive" by the Federal Reserve, thanks to the passage last year of the ...
Credit cards acting as reverse Robin Hood?Bankrate.com
Do Credit Cards Siphon Money From the Poor to Rich?The AtlanticWire (blog)
Bank reforms to pinch consumer creditWashington Times
Healthy Financial Habits -Which4U - UK -NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)
all 93 news articles »


Credit Unions Can Do More Small Business Lending, Cheney Says
BusinessWeek
July 29 (Bloomberg) -- Congress should raise the lending limits for credit unions because it would help small businesses and create jobs ...

and more »


The Business Insider

Real Estate Bonds Entice Goldman as Ford Sells: Credit Markets
BusinessWeek
Elsewhere in credit markets, the extra yield investors demand to own corporate bonds instead of government debt fell 1 basis point to 177 basis points, ...
Goldman and Citigroup to Sell $788.5 Million CMBSABC News

all 32 news articles »


Fitch: Credit-Card Charge-Offs Fall For 1st Time In 3 1/2 Years
NASDAQ
Charge-offs among prime-rated US credit-card borrowers fell from a year earlier in June for the first time in 3 1/2 years, according to a reading by Fitch ...
Fitch: No Relapse for US Credit Card ABS; Defaults ReboundPR-inside.com (press release)
SEC Helps Steer Ford Back to MarketWall Street Journal
Fitch Publishes Credit Card Movers & Shakers with May 2010 PerformanceBusiness Wire (press release)
Structured Credit Investor (subscription) -Another Financial Portal
all 63 news articles »



Reuters

Swiss Stocks Rise; Credit Suisse, UBS Jump on Banking Upgrade, ABB Climbs
Bloomberg
The pesticide maker's drop offset Credit Suisse Group AG's 1.1 percent advance after Deutsche Bank AG raised its recommendation for the European banking ...
UBS May Lift Fixed-Income TargetsWall Street Journal (blog)
UBS Beats Back Tax WoesForbes
RPT-PREVIEW-UBS seen curbing outflows as turnaround nearsReuters
Taipei Times -Toronto Star
all 588 news articles »


Which Casinos Still Face Credit Woes?
TheStreet.com
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Credit woes still loom for casino companies, according to Moody's Investor Services. ...

and more »


AmmoLand.com (press release)

Cabela's Inc. Announces Plans for Store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
MarketWatch (press release)
Cabela's also issues the Cabela's CLUB(R) Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela's stock trades on the New ...
Cabela's 2Q profit nearly doubles to $18 millionThe Associated Press
Big box outfitting store to open in EdmontonEdmonton Journal

all 103 news articles »


The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

Honeywell exec says firm will stay in New Jersey
The Associated Press
Chris Christie that his administration will work with the Legislature to expand a tax credit program aimed at retaining companies. ...
Gov. Christie proposes expanding grant program to keep NJ businesses in-stateThe Star-Ledger - NJ.com
Christie: Honeywell to stay in Morris CountyDailyrecord.com

all 80 news articles »

Google News

Home | Site Map |
© 2007