Main Menu
Articles Home
Most Popular Articles
Top Authors
Submit Articles
Submission Guidelines
Link to Us
Bookmark
Contact Us



Partners
 
Home / Finance

Unwrapping Bankruptcy

By:William Teleo


Bankruptcy is a choice many consider when faced with unmanageable multiple debts. But finance experts agree that declaring oneself bankrupt should be an indebted individual's last resort to meet his dues. It may free a person's mind from the pressure of paying his debts but it can also seriously damage the person's morale and credit history for a long time. Aside from this, people who declared themselves bankrupt are often met with hostility by the people around them. But as an option to reduce financial burden, bankruptcy is still worth considering.



By filing for and declaring oneself bankrupt, a debtor's relationship with his creditors is adjusted. Many of his debts are forgiven and he is also allowed to keep some properties labeled as exempt items. However, all of his valuable properties are sold off and the proceeds are distributed among his creditors. As a result, some of his debts can be paid in full or just partly. If most of his valuable properties (i.e. house, car) are named as collateral for any debt such as mortgage or a car loan, the proceeds from the selling of these items are used to pay these specific debts. Only the balance or excess is used to pay off the other debts. In a sense, bankruptcy fulfills two ojectives: it frees the debtor from paying his debts and ensures that all assets are distributed among the his creditors.



Bankruptcy happens in two ways: voluntary or involuntary. Declaring oneself bankrupt is categorized as voluntary whereas being forced into declaring bankruptcy by creditors is involuntary. Lawyers who specialize in finance cases advise debtors to cooperate in cases of involuntary declarations. There are also different types of being bankrupt. One is filing for a straight bankruptcy wherein all your properties are sold to pay off debts and the other is arranging for a repayment plan to avert foreclosure or repossession of properties. People whose debts are incurred by temporary setbacks (sickness, divorce) are usually considered for the partial type.



Although being bankrupt does lighten one's financial burden, it also has drawbacks. First, the debtor loses all control over his properties and assets. Any business the debtor owns is closed and all its employees are dismissed. Second, his credit accounts are closed such as loans, credit cards, and bank accounts. Also, bankruptcy remains in a person's credit history for 10 years which can seriously damage his credit reputation. Third, his bankrupt state is made public by advertisements in local papers. In addition, the bankrupt individual must inform every person he deals with about his bankrupt state unless after he is discharged. As a result, the bankrupt often faces hostility, or prejudices in terms of business or professional opportunities.



Finance experts generally recommend assessing financial situations before filing for bankruptcy. It is often the case that debtors declare bankruptcy without first exploring other options to settle their debts. However, if it is unavoidable, they advise debtors to seek professional help such as financial advisors or finance lawyers to help them understand the process and its effects. Debtors need to pay court application fees, but if they cannot afford it, there are non-profit legal aid organizations that are willing to help.



Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: bankruptcy, debt management

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

For more valuable information on Bankruptcy, please visit www.bankruptmiami.com







Top Finance Articles
  • 1). Locate And Find Debtors With A Credit Collection Agency  By : Stu Pearson
    It can be a frustrating experience trying to collect a debt from a customer who just seems unwilling to pay. Letters sent to their address go ignored, and phone calls are answered with empty promises of payment. While this is certainly a bad scenario, what if a customer who owes you money just disappears? It is possible to locate and find debtors with a credit collection agency, and in this article we’ll explain to you the methods behind their tracking.

  • 4). Who Is Responsible For Closing Costs  By : Raynor
    Buying or selling a home is a euphoric experience for both of the parties involved. This euphoria can cool when you learn which party is responsible for the closing costs. Who Is Responsible For Closing Costs When looking to buy or sell a home, every person eventually arrives at the question of funding closing costs on the transaction. To put it simply, both buyers and sellers typically are responsible for some of the closing costs.

  • 5). Family Finance  By : Joseph Kenny
    One of the hardest things that young couples report during their first year of marriage is getting to grips with joint finances. While most are willing to share what they have with their partner, they are not sure on the best way to bring this sharing into effect so that they can share with their new partner, but at the same time maintain financial security and a degree of independence.

  • 6). Preparing Your Finances For A Bird Flu Pandemic  By : Pandemic Zone
    If you have been paying attention to the news lately you may of heard of the threat of bird flu and a world pandemic. What would this mean and how would it affect your financial holdings. The World Bank, which has estimated that a bird flu pandemic lasting a year could, cost the global economy up to $800 billion dollars. The economic toll on the world economy will be catastrophic.

  • 8). High Gas Prices and Ways to Save  By : essmeier
    With Memorial Day around the corner, the great American travel season is here. During the summer, most Americans take at least one extended vacation, and four fifths take that trip by automobile. Unfortunately, this year, the price of gas is at record highs, and no one likes to spend their vacation money on gasoline. While there is little to be done about the price of gas itself, there are some things the average vacationer can do to help ease the costs of auto travel.


New Finance Articles
  • 1). How To Earn Money Online In Five Easy Steps  By : John Morris
    Living in Los Angeles, Greg realized that there are a lot of people who work from home rather than the office. One reason is that many of these executives are writers and producers of films and television shows...

  • 2). You Can Stick to Your Budget  By : Jonathon Hardcastle
    Recent studies have shown that Americans are spending less money on necessities than ever before. Yet, more Americans are also in debt. The unspoken fact that makes both those statements true is that Americans are spending more and more money on luxury items.

  • 3). Technical Analysis Of Stock Data  By : John Morris
    To perform a technical analysis is simply examining stock chart data in order to make predictions about the future of that stock. Investors who use this style of analysis are often unconcerned about the nature or value of the companies they trade stocks in...

  • 4). Getting The Most Money Out Of Selling Your House  By : John Morris
    It is easier said than done to make a profit in the real estate market nowadays. Those that manage to consistently turn a profit on real estate investments have been working in that field for years and are using proven strategies in order to minimize risk...

  • 10). How Can I Be Approved For A Low Rate Credit Card?  By : Mike Singh
    When applying for a credit card you may come upon what is called a low rate credit card, what is this exactly and how can it help you? First of all you should know that a low rate credit card is usually an excellent way to go when applying for a credit card. Find out more...



 


© 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy