what are the other options to bankruptcy that everyone keeps saying look for?
818771
Depending on the type of debt you have it varies however what you can do is consolidate all you debt into one lower monthly payment. Basically you need to get in touch with a credit counseling agency... research them very carefully before agreeing to to start a program with them and they vary depending on where you live. What you can do is pay an initial admin fee to get started again that varies from each organization then say you have 10k is credit card debt they will make a proposal to the credit card company on your behalf to a) close your account b) eliminate or lower your interest as low as possible c) not put you in collections d) accept lower monthly payments without interest for a predetermined amount of time based on your debt \nThen the individual companies decide if they will accept your proposal it may take up to a month for them to decide and from there you pay your credit counselor and they will distribute your monthly payments. In order for this to work you cannot have ANY activity on your credit cards and you need to close your cards it will affect your credit during the time you are on the program but you can pay off almost all your debt and you need to earn back a solid credit rating. It is not a bankruptcy but you cannot apply for loans, credit mortgage etc during the time you are on this program. Good luck hope this helps.
628859
Depends on 1) how long ago the bankruptcy was 2) where you credit stands now 3) where you are financially now and 4) how much the loan is for.\n\nEasiest way is hit the bank and ask.
206583
I filed for bankruptcy a year ago, and am now about to purchase a brand new home.  Bankruptcy is not the end of the world, however, you have to prove yourself a little bit more than others.  Continue to make all payments on time, keep them filed and neat (you will need to show these payments if you intend to make a major purchase) Start small with a small loan, nothing you can't handle.  Get a small amount which you really don't need, just to prove you can make the payments on time.  I make alot of payments with my Debit/ATM card, and hardly keep any cash on hand.  That way you have a document record of all payments and purchases.  Good Luck to you!
24928
Max out the credit cards, drain the accounts, transfer any possessions you personally own to someone else, then declare bankruptcy and file for divorce at the same time.\n\nI saw this on one of the daily soaps.  It worked in soap-land, so maybe it will work in real life.
760202
If you are totally desperate, and you have no assets to protect, you can file bankruptcy pro se. Many have done this.\n\nIt's harder now under the George W. Bush-sponsored 2005 Bankruptcy Code amendments. But it can be done. There is help online, especially at the newsgroup alt.bankruptcy http://groups.google.com/group/alt.bankruptcy?lnk=sg&hl=en\n(You need to register with Google. Set up a new Yahoo! or Hotmail account for that, otherwise you'll be bombarded with spam once  your real e-mail address gets online.)\n\nYou need to go through CREDIT COUNSELING first. There is a list of approved agencies, some online. Some of them -- perhaps most -- will waive their fee for really indigent people.\n\nYou CANNOT FILE until you have had that "counseling". It's a waste of time, of course, but it's part of Bush's law -- and the credit card companies bribed Congress to pass it with $40 million in campaign contributions (it didn't help the Republicans win, but it did get them the law they wanted). http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm (list of approved counseling agencies) \n\nSo all you'll need is money for the forms (you can hire a forms-filler person, but really you can do them yourself) and the filing fee ($299 for Chapter 7). Or (best of all) use Blumberg.com http://www.blumberg.com/ -- you may be able to do it for $50 online, although I'm not sure how that Web site works and don't have the time right now to figure it out. (I know the company's other forms very well.)\n\nI suggest you get the Nolo Press book on bankruptcy: http://www.nolo.com -- perhaps your public library has it, or maybe you can get it even cheaper on eBay -- but Nolo is very good for do-it-yourself lawyering.\n\nThere is other free legal help, but really bankruptcy isn't difficult when you have no assets (home, car, valuables) to protect. You get certain exemptions, depending what state you live in. Some states (Florida, Texas ...) are generous; others (Ohio, Illinois ...) not. But when you have nothing, it doesn't matter. Once you get a discharge, you will use debit cards. \n\nOpen an account with a bank where you have no loans or credit cards, and have only a few dollars in it when you file. And make sure you have no money in any bank you have loans or cards with because they will take that money -- even your unemployment check -- as an offset to your debt.\n\nVisit the bankruptcy court. Sit in on some sessions, talk to people there. Even lawyers if you like and if they have time. Also sit in on some "341" meetings of creditors where the bankrutpcy trustee interviews the debtors. You will be less apprehensive if you are familiar with what's going on.\n\nGood luck.
225326
You can dispute it through all three credit bureaus and also contact the bankruptcy trustee and let them know. They can help you also.
344636
There are financing options out there for you and your husband, but because of the bankruptcy you are going to have to pay a higher interest rate and most likely you won't be able to buy your dream house anytime soon.....it will take some time to build your credit back up and in time things will be back to normal for you both, check with top lenders, stay away from mortgage brokers, try Countrywide, Ditech and national lenders....mortgage brokers make profits based on several factors including interest rates, so someone who has credit issues are easy prey, national lenders typically have programs for people in the situation you are in and although you will have to pay higher interest, it won't be outrageous. Any other questions just send an email, happy to help.
265264
There are a few approaches you can take:\n1) File for Bankruptcy - The Court will determine how much you have to pay back and work out a schedule. Where I live it is usually about 20% of the total amount. You don't need a lawyer just go to the Bankruptcy office, fill out a form, and pay a filing fee. Their office will take it from there. The bad news is that even if you pay it back it maybe years before you can get another loan.\n\n2) Go to an accredited Credit counselor who will work out a greatly reduced payment schedule for you for a small fee.\n\n3) Contact you state or county BAR association for a recommendation of a lawyer for you who will work pro bono (for free) or at a reduced rate.\n\nGood luck.
163927
If you use your credit cards after bankruptcy, be prepared to pay everything you charge on them.  \n\nYou should cut up your credit cards.  That's what got you into bankruptcy in the first place.
3856
good luck getting a loan if you've already filed bankruptcy.  a lot of companies won't loan to anyone who's already filed bankruptcy.
1136700
Go and get a proper lawyer!!  These companies have an abundance of money to spend on lawyers, and they love tying up a case for as long as possible, hoping you'll go bankrupt or go away ... don't give up!  Get a lawyer who knows what he's doing, even if he costs a bit more!!
120218
Look for a financial advisor, like in H&R block...Don't file bankrupticy until you are sure you don't have any more options.God luck.Don't try to do all by yourself, they have helpfull information that we don't.
1064042
There are some mortgage companies that specialize in bankruptcy bailouts. Eg. Option One.  I would look into one of those...
325849
When you bankrupt, it shows poor history on paying bills. As a result, the owner of the complex does not want to take the risk. In many situations, you can get around this if you place a large deposit down. If you cannot do this, then the best bet is to look for a roommate. If this still does not fit your desire, then keep looking. There might be someone out there that will be willing to give you a try.
877779
Bankruptcy should be a last resort. \n\nI would reccommend saving some money and eventually settling each debt one at a time. \n\nCredit Counseling cannot help with charge offs because it is rare for them to reduce or freeze interest. \n\nSettlement is probably best. \n\nHere is a good site that has free settlement letters you can fill in and print: http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/
880305
if they wont work out a forebearance agreement,then contact a bankruptcy lawyer, call HUD now!!!! you nedd to prepare to move in case.....good luck
525732
I am going to add on to what the other people have said before.  to answer your question, yes, they are both considered bankruptcy.  Chapter 7 is the best option if you have low income, would not be able to pay back some of the debt in a payment plan, and you don't own more than 2 vehicles, one house or a lot of high priced items.  You also have to pay the attorney and court fees up front.  When I checked two years ago, the fees were around 800 dollars in my state.  With the new BK laws, if you can afford a payment plan, then you can not file Chapter7.  And you must meet with a credit counselor before you file either 7 or 13.  with 7, once the plan is approved and discharged you are done with the proceedings. It will remain on your credit report for 7 years after discharge.  \n\nWith Chapter 13, you can put the attorney and court fees into the plan.  I had to pay 500 dollars up front and the remainder 1200 was put into the plan.  You will set up a budget of your expenses and ask the court to approve that budget.  the budget I completed had money set aside in it for entertainment, cable, cell phone, internet service, pet expenses and etc.  It was actually very generous and was approved without a problem.  I was even allowed to include estimated costs of fixing my car and house repairs in it.  And I did not have to provide much proof.  However, it is against the law to lie on the forms.  From what I understand, the courts want you to be able pay back at least 100 dollars a month.  The courts don't make you liquidate your savings and bank account under 13, like they would in 7, but they will take that information into consideration when setting up your payment schedule.  However, if you own a lot of high dollar personal property and have loans on them, they may request you give one of the items up before proceeding.  An example is I was waiting in the trustee area and overheard the trustee telling someone that they had to give up one of their vehicles.  The couple owned two cars and a motorcycle.  They had loans on all three and the trustee would not allow them to include payments for all three in their BK repayment plan.  Neither plan will take money from your retirement accounts, from what I understand.  Federal law allows exemptions of your house, up to a certain amount.  13 is not completed until all plan payments have been made.  However, during Chapter 13, you are protected from lawsuits and such during the repayment time.  Your BK will not be discharged until all plan payments have been made.  It will remain on your credit report for 7 years after discharge.  See the links below for more information.