How to Decide if Bankruptcy is Right For You

By Brenner Spiller & Archer | April 7, 2021

Bankruptcy can be a helpful strategy to escape insurmountable debt. It gives those in debt a new lease on life and more control over their financial situation. Still, not all situations are created equal – though your debt may seem daunting, bankruptcy may not always be the answer. Here are some factors to consider before going through with bankruptcy:

Assess Your Situation

Take a hard look at your finances and income. In some cases, a simple budget and a solid plan can help lighten the load of seemingly unbeatable debt. It can also help to simply talk to your creditors and let them know that your financial situation has changed. Remember, they want their money, too. In some cases, they can work with you if you work with them – try to negotiate a payment arrangement or see about settlements.

Know Which Debts Will and Won’t Be Canceled

Bankruptcy can clear a substantial amount of debt, but it rarely cancels everything. Alimony, child support, and criminal restitution do not qualify for a bankruptcy discharge. If any of these are the primary reason you’re considering bankruptcy, it’s worth taking into account that they won’t be discharged and you should evaluate your financial burdens without these in mind.

Consider Your Cosigner

If you have any debts that relied on a cosigner for approval, your bankruptcy may affect their credit. Particularly with Chapter 7 bankruptcy where you’re absolved of your part of the debt, but the co-signer is still financially responsible for the entire debt.

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13

“Bankruptcy” is used as a blanket term, but the two most common types are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. While both have their intricacies, they can be boiled down to the following concepts: Chapter 13 bankruptcy is basically a payment arrangement option in which you use your income to pay down debt in a set amount of time up to five years. Chapter 7, the most common, is the bankruptcy option that strives to cancel most debts altogether and help people start fresh.

Make Sure You Qualify

After deciding which bankruptcy is right for you, take the time to make sure you qualify. Both chapters 13 and 7 bankruptcies have their own set lists of requirements.

This could take into account your current income, the value of any assets you may own, and of course, the amount of debt you’re in.

Contact Our NJ Bankruptcy Attorneys

Eligibility can be the trickiest part of a bankruptcy. You may be left with all sorts of questions regarding the qualifications. We’re here to help! If you or a loved one is looking for financial relief and are considering bankruptcy, but don’t know where to start, let our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys help.

Request Your Free Bankruptcy Consultation Here!

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.