Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Bankruptcy
Top 10 Things You Need To Know About Bankruptcy
Most Debt Consolidation programs in Las Vegas require you to begin payments even before there is any agreement with your creditors. Most of the first payments go to pay the Debt Consolidation Program fees, so your creditors are still not getting paid. Some creditors go years without payment or agreement, and therefore, may take legal action against you.
Before you enter into a Debt Consolidation Program, here is some information about Bankruptcy in Las Vegas that you should consider.
1. Bankruptcy Stops Creditors From Collection Actions Against You
Your Creditors must stop all collection activity immediately upon the filing of your Bankruptcy case. A legally enforceable “stay” is triggered when you file for Bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Stay STOPS:
Harassing telephone calls;
Threatening letters;
Repossession of automobile;
Foreclosure;
Lawsuits;
Wage and Bank Garnishment
2. The Purpose of Bankruptcy
Filing for Bankruptcy is a legal process to enable the honest, but unfortunate, person relief from crippling debt. Most debt is eliminated in Bankruptcy, such as:
Credit Cards;
Pay Day Loans;
Deficiency Balances (repossessions and foreclosures);
Medical Bills;
Business Debt;
Judgments
Debts that are secured by collateral, such as houses and cars, may be reduced, eliminated, the interest rate may be lowered, and you may be provided the opportunity to catch up on past due payments.
Some debts cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy, such as:
Support Payments;
Taxes (some, but not all);
Student Loans (almost all, but not all);
Fraud Debt
Criminal/Traffic Fines
3. Do Not Liquidate Your Retirement to Pay Debts Prior to Getting Bankruptcy Information
Many people have made the mistake of selling off property, depleted life savings or liquidated retirement accounts trying to fight a losing battle. Before you make a mistake, get some good legal advice. You may need a professional to analyze your financial situation from an objective point of view.
You may protect most of your property under Bankruptcy law. The purpose of Bankruptcy is to rehabilitate you, not take everything away from you. While there are limitations to the type and amount of property you can protect, most people lose little or nothing at all.
4. You Can Choose to Keep Your Home and Car in Bankruptcy
You may continue to pay on your house and/or car and keep it while in Bankruptcy. And yes, if your house and/or vehicle are paid off, you may also keep it, subject to restrictions.
Bankruptcy may help you with the debt owed on a house and/or car by possibly reducing it, having the interest rate lowered and provide you the opportunity to catch up on past due payments.
5. Bankruptcy Process
Your Bankruptcy case is initiated by the filing of the Bankruptcy Petition. The Bankruptcy Schedules, Statements, Exhibits and Means Test/Disposable Income Test must be filed to support your case.
Prior to filing the Bankruptcy Petition, you must complete a United States Trustee approved Credit Counseling Course.
A Bankruptcy Trustee will be appointed to review your case and manage the Bankruptcy Estate. The Bankruptcy Trustee will require you to produce third-party documentation to support your case filing. You will meet and be examined under oath by the Bankruptcy Trustee at the §341 Meeting of Creditors.
Prior to completing your Bankruptcy case, you must complete a United States Trustee approved Financial Management Course.
Upon successfully completing all of the Bankruptcy requirements, you shall receive a Discharge. The Discharge is your end goal. A Discharge is legal recognition of the elimination of debt eligible for discharge and a permanent injunction against future attempts of creditors to collect such debt, and your release from the Bankruptcy case.
6. Timing is Important in Bankruptcy
You control when to file your Bankruptcy case in Nevada. Many events that transpire prior to filing Bankruptcy may have significant effects on your Bankruptcy case. Many of those events are in your control. Obviously, you want to make good decisions, not bad ones prior to filing for Bankruptcy. Protect your property, qualify for the most favorable Bankruptcy terms and save money and stress by hiring a quality Bankruptcy Lawyer to handle your case.
7. Qualifying for Bankruptcy
The most common Bankruptcy case is one under Chapter 7. There is no payment plan in Chapter 7. In order to qualify, you must demonstrate that after legitimate living expenses, you do not have the ability to pay your creditors. Therefore, you are given a Discharge (elimination) of almost all debt.
Chapter 13 has a payment plan. The amount paid is based on your financial ability to pay. Most debt is eliminated regardless of how much is paid to your creditors so long as the amount paid is 100% of your ability. Your ability to pay is measured in the Means/Disposable Income Tests.
8. How to Choose a Bankruptcy Attorney
Experience and Knowledge – Your Bankruptcy Attorney needs to be able to understand your goals and find an effective legal solution to your problem. Your Attorney should have years of Bankruptcy experience, knowledge of other areas of law, and the willingness and ability to protect you should problems arise.
Fair and Honest – Your Bankruptcy Attorney should be fair in the legal fees charged, fair with the amount of time devoted to your case and honest about the representation made to you.
Customized Legal Representation – It may be quite the disaster if your Bankruptcy case is handled by a one-size-fits-all bargain-based Bankruptcy Attorney. Bankruptcy is an important legal event. Proper care should be taken to select an attorney that knows how to maximize your results.
Value – Cheap does not always equal value. If it is cheap, your case is probably being handled by some inexperienced non-attorney with little input from a lawyer. Eliminating debt and protecting your assets is an important business. Most Bankruptcy Attorneys offer a free initial consultation. You should use this opportunity to learn about the attorney that will be handling your case.
9. Bankruptcy is Law of the United States
Bankruptcy is legal! Bankruptcy is a process that enables honest, but unfortunate, debtors to eliminate or restructure debt that they can no longer pay. The United States Constitution, under Article I, Section 8, provides the authority for Bankruptcy relief. Congress enacted Title 11 of the United States Code to provide for our Bankruptcy law. Since Bankruptcy is Federal law, it trumps any inconsistent state law, e.g. promissory notes, contracts, judgments.
Bankruptcy law has consistently evolved since the overhaul of 2005 (BAPCPA). Therefore, you need an attorney who has stayed on top of the current Bankruptcy laws.
10. Bankruptcy is Superior to Debt Consolidation
Debt Consolidation does not work for many people. There are sets of laws that require your creditors to participate in a Debt Consolidation Program. This means that you can still be harassed or even sued while in a Debt Consolidation Program.
