While filing bankruptcy is often about saving money, in many cases people file for the wrong reasons, with the wrong goals, and the outcome is sometimes second bankruptcy. You might even face foreclosure and creditor harassment all over again.
The answer? There are no secrets in this guide. Georgia Debt Law simply uses common sense to get results. First, let’s go over Chapter 7 bankruptcy and then we’ll compare it to Chapter 13.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates your debts, and on paper, the discharge can be quite large. There are some rules which keep the size of your discharge down, but you can discharge tens of thousands of debt if not more by filing. Chapter 7 is the clear solution, as you can literally turn a debt into a memory.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy focuses on protecting your assets, property, and income rather than discharging debt. You pay some if not all your debt over a 3-5 year period, but you protect your home, car, and other assets.
Which saves you more money? It all depends on what you owe. Secured debts are monies owed like your home and car; if you can’t make payments, you stand to lose them. Unsecured debts, monies owed without collateral, include credit and medical bills. You can still lose assets or have your wages garnished with an unsecured debt. If you have secured debts for assets you simply cannot stand to lose, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can save you the most money. If, on the other hand, you have a high amount of unsecured debts – say a high credit card bill – Chapter 7 can clearly save you the most money.
See how that works? You either protect valuable property with Chapter 13 or you discharge high debt with Chapter 7. That should help you make the choice between the two. If you have more assets, Chapter 13 may be best. But if your problem is a huge debt you have no way of paying, you can save tens of thousands with Chapter 7.
Sometimes choosing a form of bankruptcy can be difficult. You should never make such decisions without financial and legal counsel. If you have no way of paying back a debt in a 3-5 year period, or if you stand to lose a lot of assets, it’s time to consider bankruptcy and hiring a lawyer. Do not undervalue the importance of getting financial help either; bankruptcy isn’t your only option.
Where should you begin? You’ve taken a big step in reading this blog guide. Now it’s time to make some calls. There are many bankruptcy lawyers who offer free consultations and case reviews to explain how they can help, especially online. Be sure to consult with several, to compare both in court and out of court experience, and find one you can afford.







