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	<title>Why Bankrupt</title>
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	<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:36:05 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Get Business Financial Relief from Bankruptcy Filling</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/08/get-business-financial-relief-from-bankruptcy-filling-16/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/08/get-business-financial-relief-from-bankruptcy-filling-16/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:36:05 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Why Bankrupt]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Get Business Financial Relief from Bankruptcy Filling    Business is a situation in which a business organization has more liabilities than assets and is no longer capable of meeting its financial obligations. Any type of business can file for this bankruptcy. Actually it is common part of business, no matter what market you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Get Business Financial Relief from Bankruptcy Filling    </b><br />Business is a situation in which a business organization has more liabilities than assets and is no longer capable of meeting its financial obligations. Any type of business can file for this bankruptcy. Actually it is common part of business, no matter what market you are in. It occurs especially among companies owned and operated by everyday people who place everything they have in order to succeed. There are many times when even successful companies become entangled in debt forcing them to consider a business bankruptcy as their only option. This bankruptcy occurs when a business organization has more liabilities than assets. They are no longer capable of meeting their financial obligations.  Bankruptcy is the filing of Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 by corporations and partnerships. On the filing of a Chapter 7 petition, the court appoints a trustee. The trustee&#8217; primary duty is to sell the assets of the bankruptcy estate, and then make distributions to creditors. Businesses, unlike individuals, cannot have any property exemptions, so all assets are to be sold and distributed.  Many businesses file for bankruptcy because of the relief it provides owners drowning in credit problems with no way out of debt. The good thing about a business bankruptcy compared to a personal bankruptcy is they fact that so many companies do it as a way of restructuring their business that there is not the negative stigma around it. The bankruptcy filings sources are Automatic Display Files (ADF). When you search any of these sources, the system automatically displays a content and/or coverage description. For additional details about these sources, review their source description. Consult your LexisNexis product Help for instructions on retrieving source descriptions.  The bankruptcy law can provide relief to the business owners who are overwhelmed with credit problems and cannot find any other way out of debt. However, business owners must also face the fact of losing one   s business and damaging one   s credit standing and endure embarrassment is a possibility. There is not much stigma attached to Business Bankruptcy because it is, in fact, used by many businesses to restructure their companies.  Business bankruptcy state if filed in court can lead to a situation where you can loose your business completely and thus destroying the chances of recovery. The disadvantages of filing business bankruptcy therefore are many and some are enumerated below:  If you file bankruptcy in court, you will have to hire attorney to present your case but as you are aware that attorney fees is not nominal and you shall have shelve down heavy fees. The litigation costs are very expensive and time consuming. Therefore, don&#8217;t expect decision or relief in court.   After filing the case, the court has control over your assets as such you loose the control on your business and therefore improving your business does not arise. Even Mortgage after bankruptcy will also not bring any relief under the situation on account higher interest rates are being normally charged in such cases.   Despite filing bankruptcy case, you have to pay for your pending taxes as such you wont get any relief on your backlog taxes.More details at http://www.bankruptcyinformations.com/ and http://www.bankruptcyinformations.com/florida/bankruptcy-law/     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b>Different Ways to File the Bankruptcy    </b><br />A bankruptcy is the last option any businessman wants to take. They can cause a big dent on their credit rating and deeply ruin their reputation. But sometimes filing for bankruptcy is the only solution to get a person out of dire straits.  An important thing when looking for the right form is location. Make sure it is for the state and whatever locality that you are in. State laws vary widely, so it is especially important to find the form for the state you live in. It is worthless if it&#8217;s for the wrong state. Also, make sure that the form is official. Look for government seals, or compare it with the others, and it will be easy to see whether it is or not. Filing with an illegitimate form won&#8217;t do you much good.  There are various steps which you must follow when you want to file the bankruptcy. First, you have to fill out a bankruptcy form where you will provide your personal information and information on your finances, recent financial transactions, secured and unsecured debts, expenses, creditors, assets, and tax returns. This will serve as a petition. Upon filing, you will have to submit one original copy plus three other copies to your local United States bankruptcy court. You will keep one copy for yourself for reference. At this stage, you can ask the help of a bankruptcy lawyer to help you decide on what kind of bankruptcy you want to file. If you choose to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will be required to pass a repayment plan of three to five years.   Research your options as it relates to filing. Some people choose to file without the aid of a lawyer. But it&#8217;s highly recommended to hire a lawyer. Your research should help you decide on a lawyer. In most cases, people who choose large firms to represent them will work with a paralegal and not the lawyer. Try to find a firm in which you have direct contact with your lawyer.  In filing a bankruptcy case, do not use your credit cards. If you do so with the intent to file, a creditor can challenge the discharge of the debt owed or even your right to discharge any debt. If you obtained the debt knowing that you could not repay it, you may not be able to discharge that debt if the creditor challenges it through a lawsuit, or adversary proceeding, in your bankruptcy case.  Immediately upon filing, there will be a provision to prevent creditors from contacting you or laying claim on your property for a month. After a month, the bankruptcy trustee will call for a meeting where you and your creditors will have to attend. This meeting is called the 341 meeting. This meeting usually lasts just five minutes. If both parties are not able to compromise and an objection is made, a judge will intervene. If a compromise is reached however, a notice from the court will be sent to you after four to six months discharging you from debts.Steve Buchanan writes article on many topics including &lt;a href=&#34;http://www.bankruptcyinformations.com&#34;&gt;Bankruptcy advice&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&#34;http://blog.bankruptcyinformations.com&#34;&gt;bankruptcy information&lt;/a&gt;.     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>Basic Information About Bankruptcy</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/07/basic-information-about-bankruptcy-12/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/07/basic-information-about-bankruptcy-12/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:45:57 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Basic Information About Bankruptcy  How will Filing for Bankruptcy Affect my Credit? . .Bankruptcy is a life changing event in any person&#8217;s life, with long lasting consequence  For example, a record of the bankruptcy will appear in the Public Records section of your consumer credit report for the next ten years  Having [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Basic Information About Bankruptcy </b><br /> How will Filing for Bankruptcy Affect my Credit? . .Bankruptcy is a life changing event in any person&#8217;s life, with long lasting consequence  For example, a record of the bankruptcy will appear in the Public Records section of your consumer credit report for the next ten years  Having said that, however, consumers can and do seek and obtain credit after going through bankruptcy  . .What Information will be on my Credit Reports? . .In addition to the public record of the bankruptcy, each of your creditors that were included in the bankruptcy will update your account to reflect the bankruptcy  The exact information reported will vary based upon the history of the account at the time the bankruptcy is filed  In general, most accounts should be reported as &#8220;Included in Bankruptcy &#8221; Some may refer to the specific type of bankruptcy with remarks such as &#8220;Chapter 7&#8243; or &#8220;Wage earner repayment plan &#8221; . .After bankruptcy, the balance, current payment, and amount past due should all reflect zero dollars  However, if you were late on your bills before your bankruptcy was filed, those notations may or may not appear on your credit reports  The last part of this article discusses how to dispute false information on your credit reports after bankruptcy  . .Will I be Able to Get Credit after Bankruptcy? . .For the majority of consumers that file for bankruptcy and either obtain a discharge (Chapter 7) or complete their repayment plan (Chapter 13), the answer is &#8220;Yes&#8221;  It is likely that credit will be more costly than prior to bankruptcy, which may be reflected in higher interest rates, security deposits, or lower amounts of credit offered  The two most important factors in being able to obtain credit after bankruptcy are 1) paying all of your bills on time after bankruptcy; and 2) the length of time that passes after your bankruptcy  Obviously, you have control over the former, but not the latter  Consumers can rebuild their credit after bankruptcy by using low limit or secured credit card accounts, and conscientiously paying them off each and every month  . .How to Dispute False Credit Reports after Bankruptcy . .As noted above, post-bankruptcy credit reports should show discharged accounts as &#8220;Included in Bankruptcy&#8221; with a zero balance and zero past due  Often these accounts are reported inaccurately, or have not been updated with the correct information  Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumers have the right to dispute false or incomplete information in their credit reports  . .First, get a copy of your credit report  Consumers can request their free annual credit report by writing to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P O  Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281  The request form is available at the annualcreditreport com website  . .Next, send a written dispute letter to the credit reporting agencies  Tell them that you filed for bankruptcy, and give them the bankruptcy court case number  List the specific accounts and account numbers which were discharged  Send your letter via certified mail, with a return receipt requested  Keep a copy of your signed, dated letter, along with copies of enclosures  . .If you cannot get false information deleted from your credit report, you may want to talk to a consumer protection attorney about your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act . <br /><i>Source: www.rsstnx.com</i></p>
<p><b>10 ways to protect your self from bankruptcy caused by prolonged illness.    </b><br />Accidents and prolonged sickness can be a drain both emotionally as well as financially. Sometimes money crunch is caused by the inability to hold a job, or when the medical bills escalate and it becomes increasingly difficult to balance expenses. Further, medical insurance may prove insufficient or will not cover long term medications. Life has become such that one needs to think about and plan for any eventuality. Experts recommend the following: 1. Ask your doctor for samples of medication. 2. Often an older drug is effective and cheaper. Request the doctor to write a prescription for a drug that is more affordable. According to studies you can save up to 75% this way. 3. Find out the generic name of the medication and choose to purchase it instead of branded medication &#8212;the saving can amount to as much as 70%. 4. Very often companies sell higher dosages of medication for a marginally higher cost. Be prudent, buy the higher dosage and spilt the medication in half, one-third, or quarters. The savings you can make are almost 50 %. 5. Order 90-day supplies in bulk from discount mail order pharmacies or online services. The savings are considerable and many doctors help long term patients reduce costs by putting the patients in touch with distributors. 6. If a particular medication is very expensive ask the doctor to recommend a substitute. This is known as therapeutic substitution. 7. Do try comparison shopping. You will find that the same medication is priced differently in local pharmacies, online outlets, and chain stores. Online pharmacies like http://www.walgreens.com/, www.costco.com , or http://www.drugstore.com/ offer medications at affordable prices. 8. There are several patient-assistance programs that offer free or discounted medication to those who cannot afford long term illness. Companies like Merck have programs that benefit uninsured patients. Medicines are given at discounts of 10-40%. 9. If you or a family member travels frequently you could buy your medicines abroad. Often the same medicine manufactured by the same company is much cheaper overseas. One can also order medicine by mail from Canada where medicines cost 30-50% less than the US. But do check the laws before you attempt this. 10. Start a health saving account where you can save pre tax dollars towards unforeseen medical expenses. This has a high deductible. Find out if you or other family members are eligible. Use an insurance broker who always thinks of you. He must keep you updated on all new developments as far as health schemes are concerned and make sure you reap all the benefits of the insurance scheme. You could also consider a critical illness policy in addition to a regular health insurance. Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/home-improvement/   , the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Home Improvements Forum including topics on buying, selling and insuring, automobile, electronics and more. He also freelances for submit free press release  http://www.1888PressRelease.com/Legal-0-23.html    <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>Are You Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy Protection?</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/06/are-you-thinking-about-filing-for-bankruptcy-protection-14/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/06/are-you-thinking-about-filing-for-bankruptcy-protection-14/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:49:58 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Are You Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy Protection?    Bankruptcy Overview Bankruptcy, when you come right down to it, is the process that enables those who are unable to pay their debts get a fresh start. It allows for some or all of these debts to be discharged or reorganized. Individuals or businesses [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Are You Thinking About Filing For Bankruptcy Protection?    </b><br />Bankruptcy Overview Bankruptcy, when you come right down to it, is the process that enables those who are unable to pay their debts get a fresh start. It allows for some or all of these debts to be discharged or reorganized. Individuals or businesses may file bankruptcy. This enables you to clean the slate and get a 2nd chance with your finances. In most instances, bankruptcy provides a fair method for compensating your creditors as well. The bankruptcy process need not be your worst nightmare. However, there are certain requirements that must be met. You will be required to file a list of all of your outstanding debts and a complete list of your assets. This is done with the help of your lawyer thru the Federal Courts. To make this process easier to understand, your &#8220;Assets&#8221; fall into two categories. They are: Exempt and Non-Exempt Exempt assets are the property or belongings that you do NOT have to use to pay off the debts you have incurred. In other words, exempt assets are off the table, (not in play) and may not be touched by your creditors. In most instances this includes a certain amount of equity in your home, and some of the equity in a vehicle. For the most part, your clothing, and other personal items are deemed exempt. This does not include the expensive jewelry, furs and the big boys toys. Next, you will be assigned a &#8220;trustee&#8221; by the Federal Bankruptcy Court to administer the payment of your debts. Your debts also fall into two categories. They are: Secured debts and Unsecured debts. A Secured debt is one in which the creditor retains a &#8220;security interest.&#8221; Most often it is the same property that was purchased with the credit that creditor extended. Secured debts occupy the first position. This means they enjoy priority over non-secured debts, and must be satisfied first. If you are unable to pay off secured debts, the creditor has the option to repossess that property and sell it. If there is any &#8220;short fall&#8221;, that remaining debt is now considered unsecured. It doesn?t go away, it has only changed from secured to unsecured. Once you have filed for protection, the court will issue an &#8220;automatic stay&#8221;. This stops your creditors in their tracks. They may not take additional action against you beyond the bankruptcy. This allows you to avert impending repossessions and foreclosures. Chapter 7 In Chapter 7 Bankruptcy you are in fact liquidating your assets. This means that you are only permitted to keep &#8220;exempt&#8221; property. The remaining non-exempt property will be sold to the highest bidder. The proceeds of the sale are applied to the outstanding debt. The shortfall or amount left unpaid by the sale is then discharged. In Chapter 7 Bankruptcy there are a few debts that are not dischargeable. They include taxes, back child support, DWI fines and student loans. Chapter 13 In Chapter 13 Bankruptcy you are trying to regroup, recoup and get back on track. It is commonly known as the &#8220;reorganization bankruptcy for individuals.&#8221; Individuals who want to pay off their debt over a period of three to five years file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Bankruptcy is commonly used as the reorganization tool for businesses. This kind of bankruptcy is attractive if you own &#8220;non-exempt&#8221; property that you want to protect. Chapter 11 will also help you to catch up on bills that have fallen into arrears. It effectively blocks an impending repossession or foreclosure. Not everyone is eligible for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You must have a reliable source of income that is sufficient to pay your reasonable everyday expenses and still have an amount of positive cash flow with which you begin paying off past due bills. If you file a Chapter 13 you are required to submit a plan to repay your debts that includes a set timeframe and set amounts to be repaid. Upon approval of the bankruptcy court, both parties (debtors &amp; creditors) are obliged to accept the terms of the order What To Do Now Choosing your bankruptcy lawyer is an important decision. This beginning process allows you to evaluate and determine your best course of action. This discussion is also your opportunity to satisfy yourself that the Jersey Justice sponsoring attorney?s fees are reasonable for your type of case. Am I Making The Right Decision? In all likelihood you are stressed and feeling the pressure to seek professional help with your finances. Your decision to look for an experienced bankruptcy attorney may be the best financial decision you have made in a long time. Even taking the beginning steps to consult with an attorney takes enormous courage. You may even be thinking about struggling through all the mess on your own. That could be a very lonely path. Before you make the decision to go it alone, ask yourself a few questions. If two or more of these are you, then it could be the perfect time to seek the services of a bankruptcy professional. Are You: receiving harassing or threatening phone calls from people you owe? paying the minimum payment possible on your credit cards? taking out Payday Loans? (which by the way are illegal in NJ) begging for loans from friends and family? about to lose your job? behind in your taxes? receiving foreclosure notices? behind in child support or alimony? gambling to try and make ends meet? sick and unable to even go to work? If your answers indicate that you are in financial deep water, bankruptcy may be your best solution, but you will never know for sure until you get the advice of an attorney. How Will Bankruptcy Effect My Life? Your Bankruptcy Attorney will be able to explain some other very important considerations. What happens after bankruptcy? What will my life be like? Will I ever be able to get credit again? How do I live within a budget? How do I start all over? How do I rebuild my credit? If these nagging questions are on your mind, then a bankruptcy attorney is right for you. It is true. A bankruptcy can be a persistent source of blemishes on your credit report for up to 10 years. The good news is you are able to start re-establishing your credit the moment your case is closed. How good is your present report? It is probably already suffering the consequences of late payments, delinquencies and every other known credit report disorder. Think about this. Your credit score could actually improve due to the elimination of most of your debt. Lenders actually believe that you are a better credit risk now since they know that you may not file bankruptcy again for another six years. At about 18 months to 24 months into your bankruptcy you will even be able to qualify for a new home loan if you are able to come up with a minimum down payment backed up with proof of income that supports the debt service. Auto loans are available to individuals upon discharge of your existing debt. And believe it or not you will start receiving offers for credit almost immediately. But &#8220;caution&#8221; is the watchword at this critical point in time. The offers of credit could have been what got you into trouble in the first place. Tony Merlino is webmaster and legal marketing consultant at &lt;a href=&#34;http://www.JerseyJustice.com&#34; target=&#34;_blank&#34;&gt;http://www.JerseyJustice.com&lt;/a&gt; ,a legal information and marketing portal for clients and their lawyers in New Jersey.     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers Why You Need One</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/05/consumer-bankruptcy-lawyers-why-you-need-one-10/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:43:57 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers   Why You Need One  There are some people who love to do everything by themselves  They hate to ask for directions on the highway, and they never read a manual in putting together some home equipment  They&#8217;re the kind of people who don&#8217;t think they need help [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers   Why You Need One </b><br /> There are some people who love to do everything by themselves  They hate to ask for directions on the highway, and they never read a manual in putting together some home equipment  They&#8217;re the kind of people who don&#8217;t think they need help from anyone, even when declaring bankruptcy  Do they really need a consumer bankruptcy lawyer? . .I think it&#8217;s admirable to try to do things by yourself, but there is of course a limit  There are situations where you need someone&#8217;s help, whether that help comes from a friend or a professional advisor  If you&#8217;re looking to declare bankruptcy, you obviously have some serious financial problems and need some outside help  . . .After all, chances are you did not see the situation coming, and your choices were not effective in preventing financial turmoil  I don&#8217;t mean to be harsh, and there may be other circumstances that people are simply not aware of  Sometimes an outside force seems to wreak havoc in our financial life, and problems like medical emergencies or other issues may force us to declare bankruptcy even if we&#8217;d been keeping up with our bills each month  . .In any case, you have now reached a point where you need help to solve your financial problems whether you like it or not  In the case of bankruptcy, the situation is complex (especially with the recent changes in the bankruptcy code), and you truly need the assistance of a good bankruptcy attorney to help you through the process  . .The consumer bankruptcy lawyer is best because you need someone with experience in bankruptcy law and not just general practice  In addition, you want someone experienced in helping consumers file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies instead of some sort of corporate lawyer who specializes in Chapter 11 (business restructuring)  . .Even before you find a consumer bankruptcy lawyer, however, you should go ahead and do your homework before choosing bankruptcy  Look at your other alternatives and see if you can find a better way to solve your problems  Also, try to read other articles and find out the basic rules regarding bankruptcy so you can see how they would apply to your situation  This kind of background is good and will help save time when you speak to your lawyer  Of course, time is money, especially when speaking with a lawyer!. <br /><i>Source: www.rsstnx.com</i></p>
<p><b>Why Should I File for Bankruptcy?    </b><br />Financial problems these days are very common and you shouldn&#8217;t be ashamed of admitting your too far into debt. Outstanding debts can occur in a variety of different ways. You could be swamped with overwhelming medical bills, laid off from work, or worse. Financial troubles loom everywhere, but luckily theres still one way out If your in too deep. Knowing when and when not to file a bankruptcy can sometimes be tricky, but maybe I can help.  If your just overwhelmed with debt and can no longer pay then bankruptcy is definately an option for you. When you file a bankruptcy to wipe your debt completely clean its called a &#8216;discharge of debt&#8217;. Discharging your debt will start you over with a clean slate. It doesn&#8217;t matter if you file a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy both will wipe most, if not all, of your debt out.  If you can no longer pay your mortgage and your house is up for foreclosure then bankruptcy is a viable option for you. A bankruptcy can help stop the sale of your house, but it will not wipe out the debt owed on your current mortgage. What a bankruptcy will do for your mortgage is help create a repayment plan for the payments your behind on.  A bankruptcy can also help keep your car and various other pocessions from being repossed. If your car has been repossed already by the bank, a bankruptcy can force the bank to give you back your car. Unfortunately this is only the case if you file the bankruptcy quickly enough after your car is repossessed. Any debt you own for these items will then be consolidated into a &#8216;bankruptcy plan&#8217;. A bankruptcy plan means, that a bankruptcy trustee will be directly responsible for your debt, and all your payments will be paid to them instead of to the finance company. A bankruptcy plan is made to be in your best interest.  If you plan to file a bankruptcy because of medical bills then that may be a good option. Whether you were in the hospital for a major illness, or from a car wreck, or whatever, sometimes your medical bills can pile up to an exponential amount. If you can no longer afford to pay these bills then a bankruptcy can dramatically reduce your medical bill debt.  One of the major reasons people file bankruptcy is because loss of work. People easily become comfortable with their spending habits at the income their making. Sometimes the unthinkable occurs and you lose your job. The bills can quickly pile up. Often times this is compounded with medical bills also since a lot of people can no longer work because of medical reasons.  If you have an incredible amount of debt, don&#8217;t be afraid to ask for a little help. Filing a bankruptcy can repair your financial burdens and get you back on your feet.&#39;&lt;a href=&#34;http://nicholasf.wordpress.com/2007/12/16/why-should-i-file-for-bankruptcy&#34;&gt;Why Should I File for Bankruptcy?&lt;/a&gt;&#39; was brought to you by Legal Forms Bank .Biz where you can download &#39;do-it-yourself&#39; &lt;a href=&#34;http://www.legalformsbank.biz&#34;&gt;legal forms online&lt;/a&gt;. They help average people just like you to file for &lt;a href=&#34;http://www.legalformsbank.biz/bankruptcy.asp&#34;&gt;Personal Bankruptcy&lt;/a&gt;.    <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b> How to Avoid Bankruptcy    </b><br />Although bankruptcy offers some people a clean slate, it is by no means an easy solution. Bankruptcy will destroy your credit and may possibly force you to sell your assets. It could also affect your future employment. In addition, 2005 bankruptcy reform laws made it more difficult to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, and limited other bankruptcy rights.  If you want to preserve your credit, you will be much better off if you do whatever you can to avoid bankruptcy. Although it&#8217;s not easy, it&#8217;s worth the effort.   Follow these steps to avoid bankruptcy.  Total All Your Debts  Only once you have a true picture of your debt can you take the next steps to avoid bankruptcy. Gather every bill, every statement, and every document that has an effect on your financial situation. Total up both your debts and your assets. Include your mortgage as a debt and the value of your home as an asset.  Now break down those debts into good and bad categories. Good debts are home loans and student loans. Bad debts are credit card debts, personal loans, high-rate car loans, and medical bills.  You should also list the interest rates and minimum payments for all your debts.   Reduce Your Expenses  Now total up all your expenses &mdash; everything you spend. Even the $1 you spend in the vending machine at the office should be included. Divide those two figures into necessities and non-necessities. Necessities are items you need to survive, like groceries and housing.   Non-necessities are nice things to have, but which you don&#8217;t need, like that vending machine candy bar or designer sneakers.  Add up the minimum payments on your debts and the monthly cost for necessities. This is the minimum amount you need to cover your bills for the month. If you don&#8217;t earn enough to cover them, then you need to find a way to reduce your minimum debt payments or necessities. Even little steps like switching from name brands to generics and canceling cable can help.  If you can cover your monthly bills, but aren&#8217;t making enough to pay down debt, then start cutting non-necessities until you free up enough money to reduce your debt.  Consolidate Debt  If you have multiple small debts, getting rid of any one of them can be a challenge. By consolidating debt, you not only reduce the total number of bills and minimum payments you owe, but you also reduce the interest rate. So you can reduce your debt faster. In addition to consolidating debt, you can get out of debt faster by paying more than the minimum payment every month. Funnel as much money as you can towards your debt every month.  Consult a Credit Counselor  Contact a reputable credit counselor if you need help totaling your debts, finding ways to reduce expenses, or consolidating debt. In addition to teaching you money management, they can help you qualify for a consolidation loan, whether it&#8217;s in the form of a home equity loan or a personal loan. In some cases, they can help you set up a debt management program. Although there are fees, it may be what you need to avoid bankruptcy.  Consider Debt Settlement  If your debt vastly outweighs your income, then you may need to consider debt settlement. A credit counselor may be able to negotiate with your creditors to reduce the balance owed. Although debt settlement will ding your credit, it&#8217;s not as big a hit as bankruptcy. Debt settlement shouldn&#8217;t be taken lightly, but it is a way to avoid bankruptcy if you&#8217;ve exhausted all other options. No matter how you got into debt, you can get out of it without resorting to bankruptcy. Although there are situations where it&#8217;s the only reasonable option, it&#8217;s best for your credit and your financial future to avoid it.Justin narin has 5 years experience as a financial adviser; his key areas are loan consolidation, debt relief, mortgages etc. For more free articles and advice visit http://www.bills.com/avoid-bankruptcy/    <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>Bankruptcy Alternatives Explained</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/05/bankruptcy-alternatives-explained-12/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:55:55 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Bankruptcy Alternatives Explained    There are many steps you can take in efforts to improve your credit, eliminate your debt, and avoid bankruptcy. Which should be the ultimate goal of all people, while bankruptcy is an excellent method of helping you clear up your debt, it should only be used as a last [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Bankruptcy Alternatives Explained    </b><br />There are many steps you can take in efforts to improve your credit, eliminate your debt, and avoid bankruptcy. Which should be the ultimate goal of all people, while bankruptcy is an excellent method of helping you clear up your debt, it should only be used as a last resort. Bankruptcy remains on your credit for up to ten years and it could result in the inability to retain any other type of credit until it has been removed or several years has passed. On thing that a debtor can do, this is especially true if they have no income or assets, is to do nothing. Yes that is right nothing, if you have no assets or income that can be garnished bankruptcy would not benefit you in any way, your financial situation would not change as a result. It is likely that without anything of high value, credits would not attempt to take any court action against you because there would be nothing they could collect. Another step you could take is to undergo credit counseling, you would learn how to manage your money to reduce the debt. You could create a budget that contains your monthly income and expenses, thus reducing expenses. By doing this, any extra money you have could go towards reducing the debt you owe to creditors. You could also begin negotiation with your creditors, most of them realize that bankruptcy is a viable option for those who have more debt than they can handle. For this reason, most will be willing to ?take what they can get? rather than get nothing if the debtor files bankruptcy. This option requires that the debtor has income or assets that can be used in efforts to raise money to apply towards the debt you owe. Additionally, this can allow you to rebuild your credit instead of applying a negative bankruptcy on it. Debt consolidation is another bankruptcy alternative that many could consider, by consolidating your debts into one low monthly payment you could easily reduce the amount of your debt, get the creditors off your back and avoid bankruptcy. Finally, another option of avoiding bankruptcy is to make a formal proposal directly to your creditors. This proposal or also knows as a deal, will allow you to create a payment plan. It is all dependent upon what area of the world you live in and the laws surrounding the area of debt compromise. Tim Renolds is the owner of &lt;a href=&#34;http://www.loan-source.co.uk&#34;&gt;Debt Consolidation Loan&lt;/a&gt; providing Uk homeowners with a free loan quote service. Visit us today for a free no obligation quote.    <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b>Top 4 Reasons People File For Bankruptcy </b><br /> Bankruptcy can be a way out for many families who find themselves overwhelmed with too much debt  It is a big decision with long-term consequences, and you should never be entered into lightly  Nevertheless, it does provide relief for many people who need drastic assistance in debt relief  . .Here are four common reasons people file for bankruptcy  . .1  Avoiding foreclosure . .Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out many consumer debts, but it doesn&#8217;t guarantee that you&#8217;ll get to keep your assets  For example, if you owe credit card debt, chapter 7 can protect your home from creditors  Credit cards are unsecured debt, which means that there is no collateral backing up the loan  . .However, if you are behind on your mortgage payments and are facing foreclosure, you may need to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy and establish a payment plan so you can catch up on your mortgage payments  This is because Chapter 7 does not eliminate your obligation to the lien holders such as the mortgage company or bank  . .2  Prevent repossession of your vehicle . .Just like your house payments have to be made even if you file for bankruptcy, your car loan has to be paid off if you intend to keep the vehicle  You can use Chapter 13 bankruptcy to form a repayment plan for your debts, usually over the next three to five years  . .3  Medical bills . .A common reason why many families have to end up in bankruptcy court is the high cost of medical bills  Catastrophic events like the need for emergency surgeries can overwhelm a family who is uninsured or underinsured  . .4  Unemployment . .Many unfortunate people have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced during this economic downturn  This reason doesn&#8217;t need much explanation, since it&#8217;s obvious that a reduction in income will make it more difficult to keep up with your bills  What we should say is that filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can help with your situation, but you should explore all options carefully before making a decision  . .Sometimes simple solutions like getting a part-time job or using debt negotiation can solve your problems without resorting to legal action that can damage your credit score for years to come . <br /><i>Source: www.rsstnx.com</i></p>
<p><b>Faqs Bankruptcy   Questions You Probably Have About Bankruptcy </b><br /> Declaring personal bankruptcy is no laughing matter  It&#8217;s a serious step that you will have to study carefully before making your decision, since filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 will affect your family&#8217;s finances for a long time to come  That&#8217;s why this article will cover some frequently asked questions about bankruptcy  . .How much does it cost to declare bankruptcy? . . .Well, at the time of this writing, the cost for Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing is $274, while Chapter 13 would cost you $189  Keep in mind this is only the court filing fee and does not include your legal fees  . .Has the new bankruptcy law made it more difficult to declare bankruptcy? . .The new bankruptcy law passed in 2005 by Congress and signed by President George W  Bush has made the process more complex  However, contrary to popular misconception, bankruptcy is still available for many Americans who need help  There are some changes such as mandatory credit counseling and having to go through something called a means test in order to determine your financial needs based on income and expenses  This was supposed to keep people from abusing the bankruptcy process when they didn&#8217;t really need it  . .Do you really need a lawyer to declare bankruptcy? . .Following up on the previous question regarding the new bankruptcy law, you have to understand the process has become more difficult  You really need a good bankruptcy lawyer who has kept up with all the changes and can give you the best possible advice for your particular scenario  Going it alone is really not a good option, and you should make sure that your attorney is paying attention to your needs and answering your particular questions  Generic advice is not good enough  . .There are many more questions that you probably have regarding bankruptcy, and you would do well to continue to research the process before visiting a lawyer  This will help you become more informed so you can make better questions during your visit, and you may even save some money by not wasting time asking the most common questions  Keep in mind that a lawyer charges by the hour, and saving money is a good idea if your situation is bad enough to consider bankruptcy . <br /><i>Source: www.rsstnx.com</i></p>
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		<title>FINALLY, IT&#39;S YOUR TURN TO OUT-EARN THE ADSENSE CARTEL&#8230;.</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/04/finally-its-your-turn-to-out-earn-the-adsense-cartel-6/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/04/finally-its-your-turn-to-out-earn-the-adsense-cartel-6/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:41:55 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[FINALLY, IT&#39;S YOUR TURN TO OUT-EARN THE ADSENSE CARTEL&#8230;.    Beware of self-proclaimed &#8220;gurus&#8221; feeding you Bogus info that was out-of-date before they even wrote it&#8230; Insider Risks It All&#8230; To Reveal TacticsSo Nasty&#8230; So Forbidden&#8230; So Downright Evil&#8230; You&#8217;ll Suck a Billion Dollar Well Dry! Say goodbye to those $10 AdSense checks&#8230;Say [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>FINALLY, IT&#39;S YOUR TURN TO OUT-EARN THE ADSENSE CARTEL&#8230;.    </b><br />Beware of self-proclaimed &#8220;gurus&#8221; feeding you Bogus info that was out-of-date before they even wrote it&#8230; Insider Risks It All&#8230; To Reveal TacticsSo Nasty&#8230; So Forbidden&#8230; So Downright Evil&#8230; You&#8217;ll Suck a Billion Dollar Well Dry! Say goodbye to those $10 AdSense checks&#8230;Say goodbye to the days of dropping $1000&#8217;s on PPC&#8230; Because you&#8217;re just minutes from the secret weaponthat will finally expose thousands of wealth-builders to&#8230;Google&#8217;s Dirty Little Secret&#8230;&#8230;paying for Adwords traffic that sucks every last penny of profits from your pocket&#8230; &#8230;wasting your money on worthless e-books that claim to teach you up-to-date money-making techniques&#8230; &#8230;blindly following the so-called &#8220;experts&#8221; who scream &#8220;AdSense is dead&#8230;&#8221; &#8230;wasting your time on tactics that already stopped working LAST YEAR&#8230; &#8230;letting Google Slap you around like a little girl&#8230; Finally Exposed:&#8221;The Insider Information that exploits a billion-dollar Google loophole&#8230; And A Fool-Proof System You Can Copy To Rake In The Cash&#8230;&#8221;http://www.earnfastmoney12.net http://www.earnfastmoney12.net    <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b>6 Things to do if involved in a Motorcycle Accident    </b><br />Motorcycle accidents have a reputation for being some of the deadliest. Motorcycles offer little protection to riders in the event of an accident; therefore the injuries are often severe requiring long recovery periods.   Usually, motorcycle accidents are not the biker   s fault. Due to the size difference between a motorcycle and passenger vehicle, motorcycles are harder to see and are frequently lost in the passenger vehicle   s    blind spot.    Due to this fact biker   s are often sideswiped by vehicles that simply did not see them.  Some shocking statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that motorcyclists are 32 times more likely to die in an accident than passenger vehicle occupants, and 6 times more likely to suffer injuries. It is important to remember that biker   s are entitled to compensation for injuries due to someone else   s negligence as well as passenger vehicle drivers.   If you are involved in a motorcycle accident it is important to remember the following things: 1. Report the accident to police. The police report is helpful to your auto accident injury lawyer in determining fault.  2. Record the names and statements of witnesses to your accident. Take pictures and record any unusual circumstances or whether that may have contributed to the accident. This will be especially useful should your case go to court. 3. Do not speak with any insurance agents or adjusters that may show up at the scene. This is an unscrupulous tactic sometimes used to get people to admit fault or say something that could hurt their claim. 4. Call your insurance company to report the accident. Do not speak with the other party   s insurance carrier. Let your motorcycle accident injury lawyer deal with them. 5. Even if you feel you haven   t sustained a serious injury, it is a good idea to get checked out by a physician. Some brain injuries do not show up right away and insurance companies may be reluctant to pay for an injury later on. 6. Contact a motorcycle accident injury lawyer as soon as possible.Michele Wallace, the author of this article, writes for the &lt;a  href=  http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt; MaliseLawFirm&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Malaise handles motorcycle accident cases for the citizens of San Antonio.      <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>Filing for Bankruptcy in California</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/03/filing-for-bankruptcy-in-california-11/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/03/filing-for-bankruptcy-in-california-11/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:52:02 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Filing for Bankruptcy in California    There are many reasons to file bankruptcy &#8212; large medical bills, loss of a job, unsecured debt, etc.  These debts can get very large, very quickly if not properly managed. Nationwide, courts are seeing sizable increases in the number of people filing for bankruptcy protection. And [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Filing for Bankruptcy in California    </b><br />There are many reasons to file bankruptcy &mdash; large medical bills, loss of a job, unsecured debt, etc.  These debts can get very large, very quickly if not properly managed. Nationwide, courts are seeing sizable increases in the number of people filing for bankruptcy protection. And not surprisingly, bankruptcy filings have increase the most in states that have experienced foreclosures due to defaulted loans. Filing for bankruptcy is not something you should do on your own, as you likely are unaware of bankruptcy laws.  It&#8217;s very important to find a lawyer who is experienced and has a track record of success. Save yourself the headache and let a skilled, experienced attorney help you.  The Sexton Law Firm (http://www. jamessextonlaw.com), a California bankruptcy firm, has provided suggestions on how go about filing: A bankruptcy lawyer&#8217;s main job is to review your personal information and help you determine the best course of action to take. They will advise you on what kind of bankruptcy you can file and ensure you get the best possible outcome.  When you meet with your bankruptcy lawyer, be sure you are prepared.  1. Ask what kind of bankruptcy you should file for. Chapter seven requires you to use non-exempt assets to pay off your creditors, this can be extremely detrimental.  Chapter eleven and thirteen, do not require this, but are much harder to qualify for and more expensive to file for. 2. Ask how to go about filing for bankruptcy.  There is a lot of paperwork to file, so be sure you have it checked by your attorney, as they will be able to direct you on everything you need to fill out. 3. Educate yourself on the fees you will have to pay for filing. They differ depending on the kind of bankruptcy you are filing for. Following these steps will help you achieve a thorough understanding of the process.  The Sexton Law Firm offers free consultations and never charges to speak with an attorney.  Get experience you can trust.  Speak with an attorney at the Sexton Law Firm today about your bankruptcy case and get the information you need.The Sexton Law Firm proudly serves the San Diego area.  Get your questions answered by an experienced and knowledgeable California attorney.  To speak with a local attorney for free, contact The Sexton Law Firm to set up an appointment. Phone: 619-476-9436 Fax: 619-476-9258 http://www.jamessextonlaw.com     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>6 Things to do if involved in a Motorcycle Accident</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/02/6-things-to-do-if-involved-in-a-motorcycle-accident-14/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/02/6-things-to-do-if-involved-in-a-motorcycle-accident-14/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:40:00 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[6 Things to do if involved in a Motorcycle Accident    Motorcycle accidents have a reputation for being some of the deadliest. Motorcycles offer little protection to riders in the event of an accident; therefore the injuries are often severe requiring long recovery periods.   Usually, motorcycle accidents are not the biker [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>6 Things to do if involved in a Motorcycle Accident    </b><br />Motorcycle accidents have a reputation for being some of the deadliest. Motorcycles offer little protection to riders in the event of an accident; therefore the injuries are often severe requiring long recovery periods.   Usually, motorcycle accidents are not the biker   s fault. Due to the size difference between a motorcycle and passenger vehicle, motorcycles are harder to see and are frequently lost in the passenger vehicle   s    blind spot.    Due to this fact biker   s are often sideswiped by vehicles that simply did not see them.  Some shocking statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that motorcyclists are 32 times more likely to die in an accident than passenger vehicle occupants, and 6 times more likely to suffer injuries. It is important to remember that biker   s are entitled to compensation for injuries due to someone else   s negligence as well as passenger vehicle drivers.   If you are involved in a motorcycle accident it is important to remember the following things: 1. Report the accident to police. The police report is helpful to your auto accident injury lawyer in determining fault.  2. Record the names and statements of witnesses to your accident. Take pictures and record any unusual circumstances or whether that may have contributed to the accident. This will be especially useful should your case go to court. 3. Do not speak with any insurance agents or adjusters that may show up at the scene. This is an unscrupulous tactic sometimes used to get people to admit fault or say something that could hurt their claim. 4. Call your insurance company to report the accident. Do not speak with the other party   s insurance carrier. Let your motorcycle accident injury lawyer deal with them. 5. Even if you feel you haven   t sustained a serious injury, it is a good idea to get checked out by a physician. Some brain injuries do not show up right away and insurance companies may be reluctant to pay for an injury later on. 6. Contact a motorcycle accident injury lawyer as soon as possible.Michele Wallace, the author of this article, writes for the &lt;a  href=  http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt; MaliseLawFirm&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Malaise handles motorcycle accident cases for the citizens of San Antonio.      <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>7 Reasons Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Might Be Right for You</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/01/7-reasons-chapter-13-bankruptcy-might-be-right-for-you-10/</link>
		<comments>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/03/01/7-reasons-chapter-13-bankruptcy-might-be-right-for-you-10/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:00:08 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[7 Reasons Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Might Be Right for You    Changes in bankruptcy laws have left many to erroneously think that they can no longer declare bankruptcy. This is not true.   Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that should not be made without first seeking the qualified counsel of a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>7 Reasons Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Might Be Right for You    </b><br />Changes in bankruptcy laws have left many to erroneously think that they can no longer declare bankruptcy. This is not true.   Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that should not be made without first seeking the qualified counsel of a Texas bankruptcy lawyer. A Texas bankruptcy lawyer can help you decide which form of bankruptcy is best for you. Under Chapter 13 a debtor is given the ability to liquidate assets and set up a debt repayment plan that best suits them. This can give you the relief you need from high credit bills and other debt.  The first step under chapter 13 is to receive credit counseling and budget analysis from an approved counseling service. This step can be omitted in a few situations of hardship, but most will have to undergo the counseling. It is an important step that must be taken to prevent your case from being dismissed. Speak with a qualified bankruptcy lawyer today to discuss your options under Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  Generally speaking, Chapter 13 may be right for you if: 1. You have a stable source of income. You must be able to regularly make payments to pay back your debt. 2. You have enough disposable income after all expenses are paid to make regular payments for your debt. There is no set value for this. The courts will require a proposed budget to determine if you satisfy this requirement.  3. Your secured debts are less than $922,975 and your unsecured debts do not exceed $307,675. 4. You are behind on mortgage or vehicle payments you intend to keep 5. You have tax debt, or student loans 6. You have a large amount of non exempt property you do not wish to lose. 7. You have a cosigner on your loans you wish to protectMichele Wallace, author of this article, writes for the &lt;a  href=  http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt; MaliseLawFirm&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.  Hire experienced &lt;a href=http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt;&#34;San Antonio  bankrupty attorneys&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; with Malaise and get the debt relief you deserve.     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b>The New Bankruptcy Law &#8212; How Will It Affect Debt Negotiation?    </b><br />In April 2005, Congress made sweeping changes in U.S. bankruptcy law that will go into effect on October 17, 2005. It&#8217;s called the &#8220;Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005,&#8221; and it means big trouble for Americans struggling with debt problems. What effect will the new bankruptcy law have on the practice of Debt Settlement (also called Debt Negotiation)? Will creditors still be willing to negotiate with consumers seeking to avoid bankruptcy? Will lump-sum settlements for 30%, 40%, 50% still be possible now that this tough new law has been passed? The short answer is &#8220;YES.&#8221; It will be &#8220;business as usual&#8221; in the collection industry. People that choose to file bankruptcy will definitely be affected for the worse, as I&#8217;ll outline below, but those who choose to privately negotiate their way out of debt will notice very little difference. Creditors will still negotiate. Deals will still be made. And nothing much will change in the world of collections. In fact, a viable alternative to bankruptcy will be needed more than ever. The credit card banks lobbied with millions of dollars to get this law passed. They&#8217;ve been working at it for about a decade. Now they are celebrating. These are the folks who think the bankruptcy system has been abused by wealthy individuals, who have defrauded creditors when they could have repaid their debts. The facts tell a different story: 1. During the period from 1995 to 2004, bankruptcy filings doubled, while in that same period, credit card industry profits TRIPLED. 2. Credit card companies have not been held accountable for their targeting of &#8220;easy credit&#8221; to individuals who could not afford such loans, which in turn has contributed to the wave of bankruptcies over the past decade. 3. For people 60 or older, 85% of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills or job loss. 4. A divorced woman is 300% more likely to file bankruptcy than a married woman. 5. African-American and Hispanic homeowners are 500% more likely to file bankruptcy than white, non-Hispanic homeowners. 6. Approximately half of all bankruptcies are filed because of medical expenses due to lack of health insurance, or lack of adequate coverage leading to uncovered expenses. 7. The median income of bankruptcy filers is $25,000. (So much for the &#8220;rich&#8221; abusing the system.) The new law was a GIFT to the credit card banks, pure and simple. Some estimates show that it will add another $5 billion to the industry&#8217;s bottom line. In other words, the bill is about profits and not much else. Since my whole approach is about avoiding bankruptcy, I won&#8217;t go into a detailed analysis of the provisions of the new law. But just to summarize, the net effect is that many (if not most) people seeking relief under Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be forced to file under the Chapter 13 version instead. In plain English, that means that most filers will be forced to pay back a portion of the debt over a 5-year schedule set by the court. One of the worst aspects of the new bill is the use of IRS &#8220;allowable&#8221; expense schedules for determining your monthly budget. In other words, your actual living expense are thrown out the window in favor of the IRS standards (and we all know how generous the IRS can be!). So if your actual rent is $1,300 per month, and the IRS says it should be $1,045 for your county and state, that&#8217;s TOUGH! The court will only allow the $1,045, period. In short, people attempting to file bankruptcy after October 17, 2005 are in for an extremely rude awakening! Goodbye cell phones, cable TV, high-speed Internet access, movies, meals with the family, and anything else beyond the minimum allowable expenses as determined by the IRS and the courts. So what makes me so certain that the banks will be as eager as ever to settle with consumers for 50 cents on the dollar or less? Simple. Two words: Stealth Bankruptcy. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are going to discover the new reality of this tough law, and they are going to forgo the court system of filing bankruptcy in lieu of what I call &#8220;stealth bankruptcy.&#8221; A stealth bankruptcy is when you move (with no forwarding address), change your phone number, and drop off the radar screen to live on an all-cash, no-credit basis. Many people already choose this path rather than deal with the invasion of privacy that comes with formal bankruptcy. After the new law goes into effect, more people than ever will take this approach. Besides the problem of stealth bankruptcy, there are other good reasons the banks will settle as they always have. Consider these points: A. The creditor doesn&#8217;t know whether or not you&#8217;ll still qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. They still face the risk that you will qualify for Chapter 7 and end up discharging your debt in full, which means they get NOTHING. B. Even if you file Chapter 13 under the new guidelines, the creditor will still only receive 30-50% of the debt on average (much less in some cases). C. Under Chapter 13, it will still take the creditors 3-5 YEARS to recover that 30-50%. D. A lump-sum of 30-50% TODAY is far better than the same amount collected over 3-5 years. Of course, I certainly expect debt collectors to use the new law to harass and intimidate people who don?t know and understand their rights. You can expect them to say things like, &#8220;You can?t file bankruptcy under the new law, so you?d better pay up today!&#8221; They will bully and threaten as always, but at the end of the day, they will still accept reasonable settlements. After October 17, 2005, it will still be &#8220;business as usual&#8221; in the world of debt collections. Charles J. Phelan has been helping consumers become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former executive in the debt settlement industry, he teaches the do-it-yourself method of debt negotiation. Audio-CD material plus expert personal coaching helps consumers achieve professional results at a fraction of the cost. &lt;a href=&#34;http://www.zipdebt.com&#34; target=&#34;_blank&#34;&gt;http://www.zipdebt.com&lt;/a&gt;    <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b>Can I File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?    </b><br />Many people struggle with the decision to file bankruptcy. Usually this is because they have misconceptions about bankruptcy in general. Basically, bankruptcy is a legal way to level the playing field between an individual debtor and creditors. It is a legal proceeding that provides the debtor with a fresh start.   The two types of bankruptcy that are most commonly available for an individual are: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.  Chapter 7, or straight bankruptcy, is what most people typically think of as bankruptcy. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a debtor   s non-exempt assets are liquidated or sold and the proceeds are used to pay toward unsecured debts (credit cards, loans, medical bills, etc.). In the overwhelming majority of cases, however, people do not lose any property which means unsecured creditors get nothing. At the end of the bankruptcy, roughly 3-4 months after filing, the debts are discharged and the creditor can never collect on the debt.   Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization or consolidation bankruptcy. If a person has a regular monthly income, their debts (mortgage arrears, car payments, credit cards, medical bills, loans, student loans, etc.) are rolled into one low monthly payment. Because the debtor is paying back his creditors through this repayment plan, the debtor does not risk losing any assets as he might under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Furthermore, while in the repayment plan, typically 3-5 years, creditors are stopped from contacting the debtor without first going through the debtor   s attorney and the court.   Millions of people declared bankruptcy last year alone to get the fresh start they needed. Contrary to what many believe, bankruptcy does not permanently damage your credit, and you will still be able to have credit. The new bankruptcy laws that went into effect in 2005 changed bankruptcy very little.Michele Wallace, author of this article, writes for the &lt;a  href=  http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt; MaliseLawFirm&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.  Hire experienced &lt;a href=http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt;&#34;San Antonio  bankrupty attorneys&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; with Malaise and get the debt relief you deserve.     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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		<title>Finding that Perfect Bankruptcy Attorney isn   t that Hard</title>
		<link>http://www.why-bankrupt.com/2010/02/28/finding-that-perfect-bankruptcy-attorney-isn-t-that-hard-5/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:16:03 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Why Bankrupt]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Finding that Perfect Bankruptcy Attorney isn   t that Hard    Bankruptcy can be a very confusing time in one   s life because although it means seeking out a bankruptcy attorney to bring about some sort of financial stability, it also means putting your immediate financial future on hold.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Finding that Perfect Bankruptcy Attorney isn   t that Hard    </b><br />Bankruptcy can be a very confusing time in one   s life because although it means seeking out a bankruptcy attorney to bring about some sort of financial stability, it also means putting your immediate financial future on hold.  On the other hand, you won   t have to worry about creditors harassing you anymore.  Even though filing bankruptcy constitutes a fresh start, the fresh start doesn   t begin until ten years after your bankruptcy is discharged. In the meantime, it is possible to acquire some credit from those creditors who are friendly to those who have filed bankruptcy.  But you must first find a bankruptcy attorney to get the ball rolling. Some charge different rates to get your bankruptcy started, so you want to find an attorney who has reasonable rates.  A great place to check is the website Get Lawyer Advice where you can get legal advice and a list of lawyers for each state. Upon locating the appropriate bankruptcy attorney, you can begin your journey to financial stability.  Whether you are filing a chapter 13 bankruptcy or chapter 7, your attorney is going to ask that you put some money down or pay the entire amount toward filing your bankruptcy.  After you have put down the specified amount, your bankruptcy attorney will then look at creditor statements, etc. to ensure your amount of debt exceeds the specified amount that enables you to file bankruptcy. Once this is determined, your attorney will fill out a petition and by law you will be required to attend a credit counseling session.  Unfortunately, if you are not happy with the attorney performing your bankruptcy, they may not refund your money. There are cases in which this has happened and clients have had to move on to another attorney. Again, this is why it is important that you research who you want to be your representing attorney and the internet is a great way to do that.  Just remember that finding a good bankruptcy attorney does not have to be difficult with powerful tools such as the internet. Simply look at what other people have to say regarding the various attorneys, look at track records, and years of experience. With this, you will surely find yourself a competent attorney to handle your bankruptcy inquiry.  To find that perfect bankruptcy attorney, go to www.getlawyeradvice.com to locate a bankruptcy lawyer within your state and learn valuable information regarding bankruptcy laws and procedures.http://www.getlawyeradvice.com     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
<p><b>Can I File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?    </b><br />Many people struggle with the decision to file bankruptcy. Usually this is because they have misconceptions about bankruptcy in general. Basically, bankruptcy is a legal way to level the playing field between an individual debtor and creditors. It is a legal proceeding that provides the debtor with a fresh start.   The two types of bankruptcy that are most commonly available for an individual are: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.  Chapter 7, or straight bankruptcy, is what most people typically think of as bankruptcy. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a debtor   s non-exempt assets are liquidated or sold and the proceeds are used to pay toward unsecured debts (credit cards, loans, medical bills, etc.). In the overwhelming majority of cases, however, people do not lose any property which means unsecured creditors get nothing. At the end of the bankruptcy, roughly 3-4 months after filing, the debts are discharged and the creditor can never collect on the debt.   Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization or consolidation bankruptcy. If a person has a regular monthly income, their debts (mortgage arrears, car payments, credit cards, medical bills, loans, student loans, etc.) are rolled into one low monthly payment. Because the debtor is paying back his creditors through this repayment plan, the debtor does not risk losing any assets as he might under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Furthermore, while in the repayment plan, typically 3-5 years, creditors are stopped from contacting the debtor without first going through the debtor   s attorney and the court.   Millions of people declared bankruptcy last year alone to get the fresh start they needed. Contrary to what many believe, bankruptcy does not permanently damage your credit, and you will still be able to have credit. The new bankruptcy laws that went into effect in 2005 changed bankruptcy very little.Michele Wallace, author of this article, writes for the &lt;a  href=  http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt; MaliseLawFirm&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.  Hire experienced &lt;a href=http://www.maliselawfirm.com/&gt;&lt;b&gt;&#34;San Antonio  bankrupty attorneys&#34;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; with Malaise and get the debt relief you deserve.     <br /><i>Source: www.ArticlePros.com</i></p>
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