The North Carolina Bankruptcy Information Blog

Millions of people have taken advantage of bankruptcy protections in the past several years, following through on their freedom to file and subsequently end creditor harassment and debt worries amid uncertain economic times.  As a result, many people, people just like you, are now exiting bankruptcy, most often Chapter 7, wondering how to begin on the road to financial recovery, and maybe even hit the literal road by procuring a new (or “new to you”) car in the process.

This is especially important for people who have been undone by unemployment, and are finding that a car, any car, is their only sure method to drop off resumes, take part in interviews, and reliably make it to work—whether that job is brand new, or threatened by lingering job insecurities.…

Serious debt happens to most people before they realize it. Even though it’s always there, only when the income stops do the debt obligations get really noticed. And in a recession like the one that has plagued our country for the last three years, loss of income is a common thing.

Bankruptcy can serve as a lifeline for those who finally reach the point where decisions have to be made about which bills get paid. Lately, it seems as if a lot of people are choosing their credit cards and utilities over their mortgages, as “strategic defaults”—people purposely not paying their mortgage—are on the rise.…

It would be inauthentic to blame every instance of bankruptcy on sudden life changes, such as a tragic illness or other life-altering emergency. The truth is, some bankruptcies are preventable.

However, we’re not judging. We know that timing plays a big part.

For example, let’s say one morning that you look at the pile of bills on the counter and say to yourself: “That’s it, I’m changing the way I handle money.” Then, the first thing noticed on your desk at work is a pink slip. That folks, is bad timing. And it explains a lot of personal bankruptcies.

What if you never you had that pile of bills?…

As someone facing serious financial difficulty, learning how much money is made by the huge banks to which you owe money can be frustrating. While we understand that we need to be accountable for our decisions, it stings to realize that profit models are often based on customers going into debt. Therefore, we can’t help but a feel a bit had, like the rube who just bought a cure-all tonic from the traveling pitchman selling from a horse and buggy.

CNN.com published an article recently that described what it deemed the “biggest rip-offs” in today’s society. We thought it relevant because knowing how some of these products are sold may encourage you to quit buying, using or subscribing to them and in the process, start saving more money to pay down debt or keep rebuilding after bankruptcy.…

Foreclosure is a common precursor to bankruptcy. More often than necessary, it happens before a family really knows where to turn for help.

Worse yet, those who lose their home in foreclosure continue to spiral into debt and end up filing bankruptcy long after it could have been used to help save their home in addition to relieving them from the agony of overwhelming monthly credit card bills and other debts. Fortunately for many citizens of North Carolina, a foreclosure prevention program has become a model for the nation and to date has assisted more than 2,500 of us from having to give back the property we worked so hard to obtain.…

Credit card balances, medical bills, mortgages and student loans make up a lot of America’s debt. In this recession-plagued economy, relief from any one of those financial obligations can be a tremendous benefit.

The White House has championed a bill to curb credit card company billing tactics and its mortgage modification program is expanding despite some early setbacks. And, the health care debate is reaching crescendo with the hope for many that an affordable, if not fully-supported, government medical plan will soon take shape.

Student loans, however, have not been subject to the broader economic sweep-up strategy that Washington has employed to fix the economy.…

Filing bankruptcy is all about getting back to your feet, socially and financially. When it’s time to start rebuilding your credit history, one of the best ways to do so is through the use of a secured credit card.

A secured credit card is just like a regular credit card. The only difference is that instead of the bank granting you credit, your credit line is based on an actual cash deposit you put into a savings account. This way, you have all the benefits of a traditional credit card and reap the benefits of a new, maturing credit history.

While it’s important to select a card that has what you need and will overlap with your spending habits, for a person looking to rebuild their credit worthiness, it is critical that your first card have:

A 25-day grace period

It was typical at one time for creditors to offer 30-day grace periods, which meant you would receive one bill every month.…