Tennessee residents overwhelmed by their debts could face additional stress if they make incomplete disclosures when filing for bankruptcy. Court paperwork requires that people detail every creditor and amount owed. A failure to inform the court about every debt and source of income might get the case dismissed and force a debtor to start over while creditors resume collection efforts.
Consumer advocates often emphasize that people need to prepare carefully before seeking bankruptcy protection. They might need to go through credit counseling and debt education to become eligible to approach a bankruptcy court.
Although a completed bankruptcy action remains on a person’s credit record for up to 10 years, bankruptcy could allow someone to escape burdensome debts. The chief financial analyst at FitSmallBusiness.com, a personal finance website, recommends pursuing bankruptcy as soon as there is no expectation of meeting monthly payments. By initiating a bankruptcy, a person gains temporary relief from creditors’ demands for payment. The automatic stay issued by the court could give someone the ability to pay for groceries while the court decides how to treat the debts.
A person who qualifies for Chapter 7 bankruptcy might gain a fresh start by liquidating nonexempt assets and obtaining a discharge of debts from the court. A consultation with an attorney could be helpful for a debtor looking to overcome credit card and medical bills. An attorney could oversee the preparation of court filings and strive to present an accurate accounting of the person’s income and debts. Communications with creditors could be taken over by a law office and insulate a person from harassment. These services might prevent court delays and help a debtor stop foreclosure or avoid wage garnishment.
