Bankruptcy Mistakes
The things you do in the days, weeks and months before filing for bankruptcy can affect impact your case, prevent your bankruptcy from being successful.
By avoiding these seven mistakes, you can increase your chances of successfully completing your bankruptcy case with a minimum amount of headache and hassle.
1. THE CREDIT CARD RUN-UP MISTAKE:
Don’t use your credit cards once you have made your decision to file bankruptcy. Charges for luxury goods and services owed to a single creditor, totaling to more than $500.00 within 90 days of filing, are presumed nondischargeable and may be found to be due and owing. Cash advances totaling to more than $750.00 for all creditors within 70 days of filing are also presumed nondischargeable and may be found to be due and owing. Don’t jeopardize your “fresh start” by running up your credit cards.
2. THE REPAY A FAMILY MEMBER MISTAKE:
You cannot treat your family member any better than you would an ordinary creditor with regard to repaying debts. In fact, a bankruptcy trustee can reclaim any amount repaid to a family member within one year of filing bankruptcy, although amounts under $2,000 are generally too small to bother with.
3. THE LIQUIDATE YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT MISTAKE:
Retirement accounts are generally protected. You can eliminate your debt and usually keep whatever you have in a retirement account, free and clear. Many individuals drain their retirement accounts in a futile attempt to pay down credit card debt.
4. THE TRANSFER PROPERTY OUT OF YOUR NAME MISTAKE:
A bankruptcy trustee can undo a transfer of property that previously belonged to you. This can occur if the transfer was made within four years of the filing of the bankruptcy with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud a creditor, or simply if a fair price was not received.
5. THE LINE OF CREDIT/SECOND MORTGAGE TO PAY DEBT MISTAKE:
Don’t take a loan against your real estate in an effort to reduce the equity. You can often file bankruptcy and not lose this valuable asset. If you take out a second mortgage to pay credit card debt, you may be putting your house at risk.
6. THE FAILURE TO APPEAR AT COURT PROCEEDINGS MISTAKE:
Do not assume that you can avoid a lawsuit simply because you’ve decided to file bankruptcy. A collection case continues until your bankruptcy case is actually filed, which occurs only after all the fees are paid, you have met with us and provided all the necessary information for preparing the 40 pages of bankruptcy forms, you have reviewed, signed, and returned the forms to us for filing with the Bankruptcy Court, and you have completed the required debt counseling program (by telephone or Internet) which we coordinate for you.
7. THE FAILURE TO TELL YOUR ATTORNEY THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH MISTAKE:
An attorney can only provide advice based upon information provided by the client. Failure to notify your attorney about your assets can lead to the loss of those assets, denial of your bankruptcy case, fines, imprisonment, or all of the above.
Don’t make one of these bankruptcy mistakes! When you’re ready to talk with an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the landmines of bankruptcy, call me at 877-788-9877.
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