Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Credit Repair
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Credit Repair
Most people believe that filing a bankruptcy will damage their credit or make it impossible to gain new credit for a period of 7 – 10 years. This is simply not true and in fact most people are surprised to learn that filing bankruptcy is most likely the first step towards improving your credit.
Will filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy damage your credit?
It is true that a bankruptcy filing appears on your credit record for up to ten years. It is also true most often filing a bankruptcy will improve your credit score long before that notation expires from your report.
- Chapter 7 and Credit Repair: Chapter 7 is a straight debt elimination program. The program allows you to:
- o Eliminate unsecured debts, such as credit card, medical bills, personal loans, etc
o Receive court protection from your creditors (creditor calls, creditor harassment, judgments, garnishments, etc.)
o Surrender property that you can no longer afford with no additional obligation
o Benefit from the opportunity to re-negotiate a home or vehicle contract through a re-affirmation agreement or the 722 Redemption program.
o Wipe the slate clean with regards to your credit.
This “clean slate” will allow you to start over with your credit. Remember when you got your first job and first line of credit (bank account, credit card, etc.)? You began building your credit through wise credit choices and budgeting. Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy simply allows you to start over and re-build your credit in a similar fashion.
By eliminating debt, you reduce your debt-to-income ratio. This will assist you in getting credit after your court discharge of debt – credit you may have been unable to qualify for prior to filing for Chapter 7.
A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy will also eliminate certain debts that may be obstructing your budget. By eliminating these debts, you may be able to balance your budget and concentrate your income on other debts, such as your mortgage, vehicle payment, maintaining monthly utilities, etc.
The Chapter 7 process spans 4 – 5 months from filing to discharge. Once you receive your court discharge you are no longer obligated on those debts. You are free to pursue new credit and will likely be surprised by the amount of offers you receive to gain credit. We encourage our clients to choose wisely in accepting credit. We have found that it is not difficult to improve your credit after a Chapter 7 discharges if you:
- Set and maintain a reasonable budget
- Make sensible credit choices and maintain timely payments
- Pay off credit cards in full each month or avoid using them if you can’t
Trust the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Specialists
Our attorneys are thoroughly trained in Chapter 7 bankruptcy law. At your convenience we can meet to discuss how filing a Chapter 7 may be a positive step toward financial stability and credit restoration.
We offer free in-office or phone consultations to review your personal circumstances, analyze your situation and advise you on the best course of action. We specialize in bankruptcy law, debt resolution, foreclosure prevention and credit repair. We have offices in
