1.) You must be eligible to file. The “means test” will determine this. If you have enough money to pay your creditors, you will likely be ineligible to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you make less than the median income for your state, you are fine. If your income exceeds that figure and you have enough money to pay for your necessary expenses and part of your debts, you will not be eligible to file.
2.) You do not see your financial situation improving in the near future. If your financial hardship is only temporary and you are due money with a gift, inheritance or better paying job, you may want to wait it out. However, if debt collectors are constantly calling you and you see no end in sight, it may be time to sit down with an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney to discuss your options.
3.) Most of your debts are unsecured. Not all debts are discharged in bankruptcy. Unsecured debt- including credit cards, medical bills, collection accounts are dischargeable in bankruptcy. However, student loans, recent tax debt, legal bills and child support payments are not. Asses your liabilities. If the bulk of them are dischargeable debts, bankruptcy may be a good option.
4.) You are comfortable walking away from your financial obligations. Filing for bankruptcy is a big decision, and for many, it can be an emotional process. Take plenty of time to project how you will feel after filing. Many feel a sense of relief, and looking back, wish they had filed sooner.
5.) You will be in a better place. The big advantage to filing for bankruptcy is that it allows you to start over, wipe the slate clean and gain a fresh financial start. Immediately after you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay is created which stops future collection attempts against you. This includes debt collector calls, wage garnishments, foreclosure proceedings, repossessions, etc. Bankruptcy can provide you time to catch up on your mortgage payments, and save your home from foreclosure. It can also lower your monthly car payments and eliminate second mortgages.
Before filing Chapter 7, it is important that you consult an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney to determine if bankruptcy is the right option for you. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Related Resources: http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/sandberg-7-point-checklist-bankruptcy-right-for-you-1377.php
