Bankruptcy versus short sale

First thing to understand, a short sale is when a homeowner, through the approval of their bank or mortgage lender, sells their home for less than what they owe on the mortgage. Potential home buyers must make a short sale offer, and homeowners then communicate this offer to the bank by applying for short sale… Continue reading Bankruptcy versus short sale

Are bankruptcy filings published in the newspaper

Are bankruptcy filings published in the newspaper? This question relates well to another one of our frequently asked questions: “are bankruptcy cases public record?” If you haven’t read the answer to that question yet, take a second to do so as it might help clear up some of your concerns about word getting around that… Continue reading Are bankruptcy filings published in the newspaper

Where to find bankruptcy filings online

In my recent blog post entitled “Are bankruptcy cases public record?”, I talk about the online database called PACER where all bankruptcy records are stored including those bankruptcy cases filed in Utah.   However, in that blog post we also discuss the process required by PACER for someone to obtain those records: essentially you must… Continue reading Where to find bankruptcy filings online

How will bankruptcy affect your spouse

This is a great question, and an important one to consider whether you are filing bankruptcy individually or jointly with your spouse.  Also depends on whether you are filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. One of the most common questions a Utah bankruptcy attorney receives is: “How will filing bankruptcy affect your spouse?”… Continue reading How will bankruptcy affect your spouse

Bankruptcy with credit card debt

Can I file bankruptcy with credit card debt? The short answer to this question is YES.  Credit card debt is one of the common reason that people file for bankruptcy. Once your case gets filed the credit card companies and their collection agencies can no longer harass you with phone calls and letters or something… Continue reading Bankruptcy with credit card debt

Which bankruptcy is best

So which bankruptcy is best?  There really isn’t a right or wrong type of bankruptcy–it all just depends on your circumstances and what would work best for your specific situation. To give you a general idea of which bankruptcy is best you need to understand the different kinds of bankruptcy, here’s a quick summary of… Continue reading Which bankruptcy is best

Over 65 and broke: Don’t feel guilty

Over 65 and broke: Don’t feel guilty.  “The number of bankrupt older Americans has surged in recent years, a sign of widespread financial distress and a shrinking social safety net”, according to a research study recently released.  In the study of bankruptcy filers it found using data, from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project, more than a… Continue reading Over 65 and broke: Don’t feel guilty

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer?

So I have touched on this topic in prior posts but I get asked this question from time to time: Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer?  My reply is usually you can but why would you want too?  You need to know that filing personal bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 takes careful… Continue reading Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer?

Which bankruptcy is worse

There really isn’t a bankruptcy that is “worse” it all depends completely on your financial situation, your goals and needs.  A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy commonly called a liquidation.  Chapter 7 allows individuals to give up certain nonexempt assets and walk away from most of the individuals debts. To qualify, debtors must pass the means test… Continue reading Which bankruptcy is worse

Are bankruptcy cases public record

When you file for bankruptcy, your bankruptcy case does become a public record.  No matter the type of case Chapter 7 or Chapter 13  it can be part of a public record.  However that doesn’t mean that it’s simple, free and easy to get the information for your family and friends to look at whenever… Continue reading Are bankruptcy cases public record