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The ABCs of Dealing With Domestic Violence

Domestic violence was a part of my family's life for years. When I made the decision to leave with my children, I had to rely on the law to provide the protection we needed. Sometimes, the system does not work as fast as we want. I soon learned that going at it alone without any guidance caused significant delays. I created this blog to help others who are seeking legal means to deal with an abusive ex. By making the right moves, it is possible to get the necessary protections in place so that you can also live a happier and healthier life.

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The ABCs of Dealing With Domestic Violence

Talk To A Chapter 7 Attorney When You're Thinking Of Filing For Bankruptcy

by Gina Hill

If you're struggling to keep up with bills but you're falling behind, it may be time to consider bankruptcy. The only way to know if bankruptcy is right for you is to talk with an attorney. You may be suited for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy if your income isn't too high, so seek out a Chapter 7 attorney to get answers to your questions about whether you can file for bankruptcy and if it's a good choice for you. Here are some points to discuss.

If You Qualify For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

One of the first things a Chapter 7 attorney has to do is determine what type of bankruptcy you can file. If your income is low enough, you can qualify for Chapter 7, and this means certain types of debts are eliminated so you don't have to pay them back.

If your income is too high, you might need to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If so, you'll need to set up a payment plan to pay your debts. However, income alone isn't the only determining factor in what type of bankruptcy you can file. You might still file for a Chapter 7 if you have a high income but have high bills and still struggle each month to pay what you owe on your mortgage and other expenses.

If Some Types Of Debt Won't Qualify

Your Chapter 7 attorney also wants to know the type of debt you have since some debt might not be included in a bankruptcy. Things like student loans and past taxes might not be included. However, if much of your debt is due to credit cards and personal loans, you might get most of your debt eliminated.

There might also be debt that you don't want to include. This could be a specific credit card, your house, or your car. What types of debt you can keep depends on laws in your state and what you can realistically afford to pay back after your bankruptcy. You may need a car to work, but you might only be allowed to keep your car if you are current with payments and the court deems you'll be able to afford the payments after bankruptcy.

A Chapter 7 attorney can help you through these decisions since you don't want to be saddled with debt you can't afford after you've already filed for bankruptcy. To help you make wise financial decisions, the court may require you to take pre-filing and post-filing financial classes so you understand how bankruptcy will affect your credit and how to manage your money after bankruptcy.

Until you take the classes or make any financial moves, talk to a Chapter 7 attorney. There are things you want to avoid doing right before you file, so there is plenty to understand about the bankruptcy process if you want the best outcome for you and your finances.

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