When bankruptcy seems like the only option
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Before you declare yourself bankrupt, you should take time to carefully consider all of your options as there may be better alternatives in your situation. You may be able to pay off your debt over time by bringing in additional income, or you can try working with creditors to reduce your overall obligation.
Even a balance transfer can provide a little bit of relief because it can give you a low interest rate. However, this kind of strategy is tricky.
It will not solve your problems by itself, and if you continue with your current spending habits you could find yourself in an even deeper hole. Transferring to a lower interest rate can bring some relief, though, as part of a more comprehensive debt reduction program.
After going through all the alternatives, you may come back to bankruptcy as the best or only option for you in your current circumstances. This may be a bit discouraging for you, but it should not be a reason for despair.
On the other hand, you don’t want to make your move without thinking things through. You want to get some good advice from a professional and not come to a hasty conclusion. After all, following your impulses probably got you in this mess to begin with.
You need a good lawyer to help you with your case because the process has become more complex with the recent changes in the bankruptcy code. There are also various laws which vary by states, even though there are Federal laws that provide some uniform standards.
Some states may give you unlimited homestead exemption, which means you get to keep your house safe from creditors no matter how much your house is worth (or how much you owe).
These kinds of details can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case, and this really underscores the importance of having a good lawyer by your side instead of trying to go through all of this by yourself.