Bankruptcy is a dirty word for many people. They don’t want like to feel defeated that they can’t pay their bills, or they’re worried about how filing for bankruptcy will harm their credit for years to come. However, these concerns are unfounded. In many cases, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California is the only way to deal with large debt. And in most cases, credit scores can be rebuilt relatively quickly after filing for bankruptcy. If you live in Union City and are thinking it might be time to file for bankruptcy, a Union City Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney can assist you in the process.
Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Union City
In order to file a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California, you must first show the court that you’re eligible for the process. First, it’s important to remember that Chapter 7 bankruptcy is only for individuals, and not business. An individual wishing to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Union City must show that his or her income is less than the median income for a household of the same size in California. In addition, the debtor must show that they do not have enough minimum income to pay their debts. If a debtor can meet these requirements, the bankruptcy court will accept the petition.
How Can Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Help in Union City?
It’s important to understand what debts can and cannot be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is ideal if you have a lot of debt and few assets. Unsecured debts such as credit cards, medical bills, and most court judgments can usually be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, regardless of the amount of the debts.
Other debts are never discharged in bankruptcy. Alimony, child support obligations, federal tax liens, court fines, attorney’s fees in certain court cases will all survive past a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Student loans typically survive past bankruptcy, as discharging them requires showing an “undue hardship” that many courts are hesitant to grant.
When you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will need to submit your financial records, such as bank statements and tax returns to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee. The trustee will review your assets, and may require you to sell some of them to pay creditors. However, once those creditors have been paid back and your debts have been forgiven, you can begin rebuilding your credit score with a clean slate. A Union City Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney can help you understand how this process works.
Contact a Union City Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney
There’s no reason to live another day with crushing debt that you can’t possibly hope to repay. Bankruptcy can legally eliminate many debts and stop bill collectors from harassing you. For more information on filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Union City, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.