In the world of finance, “bankruptcy” is the big bad “B” word that most people try their hardest to avoid.
The word carries a social stigma, as though it’s the last resort before going completely broke.
Ironically, bankruptcy is a financial strategy. In some cases, it can be a person’s best option.
How did bankruptcy get such a bad reputation? Let’s take a look at six common bankruptcy myths:
1) Your Credit Will Never Recover from Bankruptcy
Let’s get the biggest myth out of the way first.
A common misconception is that bankruptcy is so detrimental, that those who choose this option will never fully recover.
Bankruptcy will stay on a credit report anywhere from 7-10 years, hardly different than many debts that end up on one’s credit report.
There are also methods to make sure your credit can be improved.
A common route is taking out a secured card to reestablish and restore credit.
2) Those Who File Bankruptcy are Financially Irresponsible
There may be exceptions to this rule – but in general, it’s a stigma that’s largely false.
When people hear about bankruptcy, they tend to think of someone racking up credit debt on frivolous purchases, bad investors, and people trying to game the system.
The reality is that most who file for bankruptcy have actually encountered serious and unexpected problems.
Be it from a life-threatening illness, a sudden divorce with a difficult partner, or simply extended unemployment, you may be surprised to learn how little it takes to be in a difficult financial situation.
3) You Can Go on a Shopping Spree Before Filing
Shopping and racking up debt just before filing bankruptcy is fraud and nearly impossible to get away with.
Bankruptcy is a serious financial decision that is backed up by a prolonged period of time in debt.
It’s common for a court to throw out recent debts on the basis that a shopping spree isn’t the source of all the financial hardship and is, in fact, fraud.
4) All Debts Will Be Cleared
Bankruptcy is a great way to get a fresh financial start, but it’s by no means a clean slate – certain debts simply cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy.
Regardless of its size, your child support and alimony will not be discharged in a bankruptcy, nor would restitution payments that are required as a result of a committed crime.
Tax debts vary in many situations, but in some cases, they can be either discharged or reduced.
5) I Can’t Go Bankrupt Without My Spouse Being Dragged Into It
A very common misconception is that a married person cannot file for bankruptcy on their own.
While this isn’t true, it’s easy to see how people make this assumption.
After all, so many assets get tied together in marriage.
It is possible for a spouse to file on their own without affecting their spouse’s credit or assets.
Learn more about that here.
Contact Our Cherry Hill Bankruptcy Attorney for a FREE Consultation
Bankruptcy can seem like a scary process, especially with all this misinformation going around.
An experienced bankruptcy and debt relief attorney can help you explore your options and determine the best course of action for you, your family, and/or your business.
The experienced New Jersey bankruptcy lawyers at the Law Office of Joel Spivack understand the nuances of New Jersey and federal bankruptcy laws, so we can help you protect your interests.
Call us anytime at (856) 488-1200 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.
We have an office conveniently located at 1415 Marlton Pike East, Suite 302, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
