This blog guide can help. We’ll be going over exactly what joint bankruptcy is, the differences with individual bankruptcy, and how joint can help you and your family get a fresh start. Still, you should consult with a lawyer; laws can be complex.

The Basics of Georgia Joint Bankruptcy
For families, joint bankruptcy can save you a lot of time and money. It’s simply you and your spouse filing bankruptcy together. For Georgia home owners fearing foreclosure, filing Chapter 13 can help. For those who have large credit and medical debts, Chapter 7 is smart. In some cases, you may not be eligible – another reason to consult with a lawyer. If you and your spouse make too much, Chapter 7 may not be an option. If you owe too much, hundreds of thousands in secured and unsecured debt, you may not be eligible for Chapter 13. But for most Georgia residents, you can file at least one, save tens of thousands of dollars, and get a fresh start.

The Differences with Georgia Joint Bankruptcy
Georgia and all states have similar laws when it comes to joint bankruptcy, the only difference being the actual eligibility factors. If you file together, you can save time by filling out one set of documents. You can also save money on the filing fee – you need only file once together, and save $274-$299 depending on which form you file. You can also save your spouse from owing on debts you have together; creditors can keep calling if only one of you file.  And finally, you can save money with a Georgia bankruptcy lawyer.

How It Helps You
We went over some of the big advantages. In more detail, since there is less documentation and only one court hearing, it’s logical you save some time and money. You may not save thousands on your Georgia bankruptcy lawyer, but it can save the lawyer time so he or she might charge less. The minor filing fee may in fact be big – $274 saved for Chapter 13 and $299 saved for Chapter 7, not pennies.

Filing bankruptcy in general saves you far more than it costs you. If you have a $100,000 medical bill, Chapter 7 can discharge it. If your Georgia home you’ve put time and money into is in danger of foreclosure, Chapter 13 can save it with the “automatic stay” and allow you to make affordable payments on it.

Getting Help
This is a lot of information, but be mindful you need an experienced lawyer to help you. Bankruptcy law is not rocket science, but hiring the first lawyer you find, or the cheapest, can cost you more than it saves you. Consider several lawyers, go over rates, time, and experience, and get your deserved fresh start financially.

What is individual bankruptcy?
Individual bankruptcy, still important to consider even if you and your spouse want joint bankruptcy, is the most common form. It’s the basic form of bankruptcy you feel as a single person, either with Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In most cases, debt and/or foreclosure are the key reasons for filing. For Atlanta residents with higher than average incomes, filing under Chapter 13 is becoming more common as Chapter 7 has new rules for eligibility based on income.

What is joint bankruptcy?
Joint bankruptcy is simply you and your spouse filing together. You can file either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. In some cases you are not eligible for bankruptcy, or at least joint filing. If you or your spouse filed for individual bankruptcy a few years ago, that person will not be eligible to file again. You need to wait 7 years between bankruptcies, and you or your spouse will have to file individually. Also, the median income for Georgia residents determines Chapter 7 eligibility. If you make too much money for a family your size, even if it’s just the two of you, you won’t be eligible. If on the other hand you have hundreds of thousands in secured and unsecured debt, you may not be eligible for Chapter 13.

What differences are there?
With joint bankruptcy, the process can be much easier than filing separately. You hire one lawyer, pay one fee to him or her, pay one fee to the court instead of two, and you don’t have to worry about you or your spouse being stuck with debts if only one  files. Individual bankruptcy is not necessarily bad; it just saves time and some money if you file together. In some cases, filing together is not an option.

Why file Atlanta joint bankruptcy?
Filing together has some major pluses, as just pointed out. What we didn’t mention was the documentation. Every bankruptcy, no matter if it’s Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, takes time to file for. If you can combine your documents, putting both your bankruptcies together, you can save time. That may seem minor. You can also save $299 for filing Chapter 7 and $274 for filing Chapter 13; small, but it’s money. You will appear in Georgia bankruptcy court together. And you do not have to worry about your spouse who didn’t file being harassed to pay your debts (or the other way around).

If you’re still unsure if filing jointly is smart, contact an Atlanta bankruptcy attorney today.