In order to understand what joint bankruptcy is, you must first understand individual bankruptcy. This form of bankruptcy occurs via more normal means: you have a debt, you need help, so you file as an individual. It’s the most common form of bankruptcy. As it sounds, joint bankruptcy occurs when you file with another person. Why would you file joint bankruptcy?
You Both Owe Immense Debts
If you and your spouse are eligible, joint bankruptcy has many advantages. First of all, if you both owe on the same debts, one person filing may mean the other person will continue to owe the debt. So if you file Chapter 7 as an individual, your credit card debt may stay on your spouse’s record. If you both owe quite a lot of money, it’s smart to file for bankruptcy help.
If You Don’t Make Too Much
If you and your spouse make more than the Georgia median income, you would not be eligible for joint Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but you would be eligible for joint Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you don’t make too much, you can take advantage of joint Chapter 7 bankruptcy,which stands to save you both tens of thousands of dollars. On the other hand, a joint Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help protect secured debts like your home and car.
Save On Fees
When you file together, you pay one lawyer, and pay one fee. The filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $299, and $274 for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. While saving on those fees may seem minor, it can be big if you’re running low on income. If you hire one lawyer, it won’t necessarily be cheaper, but it should save you In the end.
Save Time
It takes time to file bankruptcy. Even if you hire a good lawyer,the paperwork can be quite lengthy. On the other hand, if you file together it can cut down considerably on paperwork. And it protects you legally if you both owe debts, so you won’t have to fight back and forth with creditors.
How to Get Started
If you’re still unsure about joint bankruptcy, that’s okay. This post was only designed to help you get started. Filing bankruptcy is never easy, but it can change your life. To get started, start studying more on how Georgia Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy work. You should also consider consulting with an experienced Georgia bankruptcy lawyer.
Where to Find a Lawyer
The Georgia State Bar is a good resource, as is searching via online means. There are hundreds of lawyers capable of helping you, but make sure you get one you can communicate well with, who can explain how this process works, and who in the end will help you save money.






