I Need Help! Is Bankruptcy the Answer?

One of my clients recently told me during an initial consultation, "I make too much money to file bankruptcy!" I hear this all the time from people who make decent money but are really struggling with debt. If you are in financial trouble, you don't need a wall full of degrees to tell you that things are bad. What you need is help and direction to find an answer to your problem. Bankruptcy may be the answer, but how can you be sure?

Making the choice to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is not easy. You should start with a critical examination of your finances. It is important to have the right information, which means collecting bills, bank records, and a copy of your credit report. You are entitled to a completely free copy of your credit report each year from Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax. Simply go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Blank bankruptcy schedules can actually help you organize and understand your financial situation. The bankruptcy schedules can be printed from the U.S. Courts website: http://www.uscourts.gov/FormsAndFees/Forms/BankruptcyForms.aspx.

What is most sobering, however is a free calculator from the Federal Reserve that shows how long it will take to pay off your credit cards: http://www.federalreserve.gov/creditcardcalculator/.

Once you have clearer understanding of your finances, it is time to investigate your options. Bankruptcy is a federal legal proceeding, which means attorneys, a trustee, a judge and courthouse, and a lot of rules and laws. It is very complex, and should not be undertaken without hiring a skilled bankruptcy attorney. The U.S. Courts offers a series of nine short videos that gives a very good over-view of the bankruptcy process. The videos can be viewed at the U.S. Court's website: http://www.uscourts.gov/video/bankruptcybasics/bankruptcyBasics.html.

Finally, it is time to speak with a bankruptcy attorney. An experienced bankruptcy attorney can analyze your finances and recommend solutions. Your attorney will answer questions you have concerning the bankruptcy process and identify any issues that may cause trouble during your case. So don't procrastinate any longer! Take control and get the information you need to make a wise decision.

Contact the experienced Chicago bankruptcy attorneys at Glanzer & Associates, P.C. at 1-312-644-2227 to discuss your specific situation, and to schedule your free, in-person consultation.