Wednesday, July 8, 2009

What are the negative effects of bankruptcy?

By Josh Ramos

Many people cringe when they hear the word bankruptcy. You might think of it as one of the worst things that can happen to a family, and it can certainly have negative consequences.

For those overwhelmed by credit card debt or other kinds of financial obligations, bankruptcy can certainly be considered as a real option that can help you cope with you're out of control debt.

Still, it's important to remember that bankruptcy is a serious step that will have long-term consequences for your financial affairs. Before making a decision to take the lead, you should discuss the situation with a bankruptcy lawyer. What exactly are the drawbacks of declaring bankruptcy?

First of all, you should know that the most common form of bankruptcy is chapter seven bankruptcy. This kind is the one that most people think about when they hear the term bankruptcy, and it is designed to get rid of your debt if your case is successful. The bad news is that your credit will be severely damaged for the next 10 years or so.

It is not impossible, however, to obtain credit after declaring bankruptcy, but you'll probably end up paying a much higher interest rate as a result. You should also realize that your credit can improve over time if you work on improving your financial habits.

If you instill some discipline in your spending and control your shopping impulses, you certainly can rebuild your financial future in time.

When speaking about the pros and cons of the bankruptcy filing, most people don't stop and think about how your creditors will be affected. True, you probably don't have much sympathy for a big business who wasn't willing to work with you when you were trying to negotiate a settlement. But what about a small business who may have given credit to you when you needed it badly? Your bankruptcy could affect them more harshly than you think, but you still have to make the best decision for your family's financial future.

You should always consider all of your options carefully before deciding to declare bankruptcy. Sometimes bringing in some extra income through any number of ways can be enough to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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