This report is republished from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and contains the authors analysis and finding about bankruptcy following the 2005 reform. Personal bankruptcy was introduced in the United States through the Bankruptcy Act of 1978. After passage of the act, bankruptcy rates rose steadily until 2005, when Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I just wanted to say thank you as I owe you a debt of gratitude! My partner lost his job due to a health issue and has been unemployed for five years–I tried (in vain) to sustain my debts. I tried every resource to stay afloat. I quickly learned that there are resource to provide loans, payday loans, ... Read More »

Below is my growing list of bankruptcy resources and links. If there is something that’s not addressed in one of those articles, guides, then feel free to ask me your question. Bankruptcy Articles and Posts You Must Read Click Here to Find a Bankruptcy Attorney in Your Area To get ready to read the information below with the right frame ... Read More »

A frequent and quiet chorus says people who file bankruptcy have failed in some way, but let’s set the record straight on that myth. It’s not true. Bankruptcy is the law of the land in many countries. It allows people otherwise tightly gripped by unmanageable debt to find a way to break free of an otherwise impossible situation. Bankruptcy is ... Read More »

I’ve written a number of guides about all sorts of debt related issues but for some reason I’ve never written one about how to find a great bankruptcy attorney. So here goes. Having lived through bankruptcy myself I am very familiar with what I felt when searching for a bankruptcy attorney. It’s bad enough suffering in silence with debt but ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, Situation * I will be filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Most likely this will be filed by my attorney next week. I have a large amount of credit card debt and can no longer even make the minimum payments on them. My daughter will be graduating high school in June and I will be turning 50 yrs old. As ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I’m over 19,000 in debt and am considering on chapter 7 bankruptcy…. I’d like to know can I stop all payments and if so, will I lose my car, which I need? And will I have to pay an attorney up front? Mandy” The Answer Dear Mandy, You should not do anything without first meeting with a local ... Read More »

So you filed bankruptcy. Congratulations on taking steps necessary to deal with your old debt and get the legal protection and fresh start you are entitled to under the law. Your journey isn’t over though. The best days are now ahead of you but you will need to take action to rebuild a better financial future. Below you will find ... Read More »

Here is something you don’t expect to hear people say, “If you file bankruptcy your life will get better.” Well, I did file bankruptcy and my life did get better. Within three years after our bankruptcy we had purchased a house and before that had rebuild great credit using secured credit cards. In fact for me, my financial failure and ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, 58yo..unemployed for a few years.due to layoff….maxed credit cards and behind by 6 months. Just gave my BK paperwork to attorney. I believe that due to my poor credit, I cannot find a job. Having a hard time just paying the important bills. Discover has now stated they will either give me to collections or to an attorney. ... Read More »

If you are in financial trouble and struggling to make payments, tapped out, you’ve spent down savings, or living month-to-month, then bankruptcy is worth a good hard look. Below you will find a number of links to posts, articles, and calculators to help educate you about the realities of bankruptcy. Many people carry a lot of baggage around about what ... Read More »

Let’s be upfront and open, many people harbor an emotional feeling about bankruptcy and a false belief that bankruptcy is a path chosen by ne’re do wells and reprobates. Yea, that impression has nothing to do with the reality of the situation. I understand the angst and fretting. I myself went bankrupt in 1990. I get it. But since I ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I’d like to declare a bancruptcy, because I can’t afford all my payments. I’m 67 years old. Retired, devorced have got a pension and SS income. My ex-husband lost his business, job and also can’t pay his debts. We’ve got a house. Now it’s on short sale. No car, only debts. My question: how much is it cost ... Read More »

The Napa Valley Register is reporting the Napa Valley Symphony Association has recently filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. The quote by the president of the board certainly sounds similar to that felt by many people facing equally dark times. “It’s not something we did lightly,” said Michael Enfield, president of the board of the association. “But sometimes when you’re ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, Heading to bankruptcy, retained a law firm, but am waiting to file. I owe the IRS, two states, student loans 1st and second mortgages( 1st is under water) two 401k loans, credit cards(about $90,000). My wife has gambling winnings in excess of $22,000 from January to April( but mostly March). Used the money to pay current bills. Trying ... Read More »