Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be a helpful tool for people who are struggling to keep up with their finances. Once your case is resolved, many of your unsecured debts, such as personal loans and credit cards, can be cleared under a court order. This can provide some relief from debt collectors contacting you or garnishing your wages.
- BBB A+ Rating & Accredited
- $300 Million Debt Settled
- $8,000 Minimum Debt
- 25th best financial firm, USA (INC Magazine)
- Minimum Debt $7,500
- $ 3 Billion Plus Debt Resolved
Before you even file for bankruptcy, beware of spending money frivolously, as it could jeopardize your case. Also, after you file for bankruptcy, continue to be mindful of your spending habits, as certain types of spending can look like fraud. It is important to understand what types of purchases are considered necessary and which ones aren’t in order to successfully file for bankruptcy.
When filing for bankruptcy, how much money you have matters
Filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to rid yourself of certain types of debt, such as unsecured debt, credit card debt, and medical debt. To get this debt elimination, you must provide the court with a complete snapshot of your finances and assets. This happens on the day you file. Any money or assets you acquire after filing may be sold to cover your debts.
After filing, what happens to your money
Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to keep some of your essential possessions, like your dishes, clothing, and furniture. You may also be able to exempt funds in certain bank accounts. However, it is important that these funds only be used for essentials. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney in your state to learn more about how to exempt funds from a bank account.
Your creditors will be paid from the sale of your non-essential assets and any cash you have on hand. This includes money in your bank accounts. Note that even if you only owe the bank a small amount, they can take the full amount out of your account to cover the debt.
The impact of your spending on your bankruptcy case
There are different bankruptcy guidelines for chapter 7 and chapter 13 cases. It’s important to understand how you should and shouldn’t spend money to help your bankruptcy case go smoothly.
Bankruptcy is a difficult process, both emotionally and financially. It’s important to be as prepared as possible before filing for bankruptcy. In particular, there may be suspicion from creditors or the court system itself if your spending spikes in the months leading up to filing for bankruptcy. This is especially true of chapter 7 bankruptcy, where unsecured debts can be eliminated. Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganizes your debt and sets you up on a repayment plan, but does not clear your debt completely. Each individual has a different spending limit according to their court order.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re planning to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. First and foremost, make sure that you understand the process and what it entails.
Fraud or bad faith could be indicated by spending
Before you file for bankruptcy, it is not a good idea to spend money on items that appear to be luxurious or unnecessary. The court may perceive your case as fraudulent behavior if you seem to overspend before filing.
Before you file for bankruptcy, there are some things you should do to prepare. One is to stock up on groceries and household items like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. In some cases, you may even want to buy a new car before the court seizes your current one. But beware of making any unnecessary large purchases. Keep all your receipts so you can show the court what you bought and why you needed it.
Your case may be dropped if you transfer the property
It’s important, to be honest about any property transfers made before filing for bankruptcy. Omitting this information could be considered hiding assets, which could lead to being charged with bankruptcy fraud. This would mean not being able to discharge debt and the bankruptcy trustee could try to recover the transferred property.
It may be considered a preferential transfer to repay family or friends
Paying off a debt to a friend, family member, or creditor could result in the money being taken back.
It is possible for large purchases to be sold after they are made
Filing for bankruptcy can be a difficult process, but understanding the basics can help make things go more smoothly. One important thing to keep in mind is that once you file, a trustee will be appointed to oversee your case and sell any non-exempt assets you have to repay your creditors.
Credit cards may appear suspicious when used
Credit card debt is one of the main reasons people file for bankruptcy. When you have a large balance on your credit cards, it can look like you never intended to pay them off, which gives the credit card company a strong case to argue that those charges can’t be wiped away. As a result, you may end up being responsible for paying back any recent charges. It’s better to avoid racking up credit card debt before filing for bankruptcy.
Bottom line
Filing for bankruptcy may be something to consider if you are in dire financial straits. Before making any decisions, it is important to think about the costs of housing, utilities, and food. You should also get in touch with a bankruptcy attorney to get more information.
See If You Qualify for Credit Card Relief
See how much you can save every month — plus get an estimate of time savings and total savings — with your very own personalized plan.
There are a few things to consider before you decide on chapter 7 bankruptcy. Explore all of your options to make sure you are making the best decision for your unique situation. A debt consolidation loan is one option that could help lower your interest rate and save you money as you pay off your debt. Plus, you might get a repayment term that is a better fit for your situation.
