The decision to file bankruptcy is not an easy one. Although a bankruptcy can relieve a person from most of their debt, it is often a last resort for many people in this trying economic time. People often worry how a bankruptcy will affect their financial future. There are many myths about bankruptcy floating around that may deter someone from filing a bankruptcy that would be more beneficial than harmful.
“Will My Credit Be Ruined?”
One question people have about bankruptcy is, “Will my credit be ruined forever?” Although a bankruptcy is tough to go through and stays on your credit for 10 years, it does not ruin your credit. Many people, in fact, obtain higher credit scores after a bankruptcy due to successful changes in spending habits. A good first step to reestablishing credit after a bankruptcy is to actually watch your credit. There are dozens of companies that advertise that if you sign up for their program you can check your credit as often as you chose. This is great, but generally unnecessary. Anyone can get a copy from each of the three credit bureaus once a year. What many people do not know is that all three of these reports can be staggered so instead of receiving three reports once a year, you can receive one report every four months. This is especially helpful in post bankruptcy years because it allows you to check for errors like debt that is listed more than once, or accounts that are closed and still listed as open. Continue reading ‘Your Credit After Bankruptcy’ »