Saturday, November 12, 2011

How Consumer Credit Card Debt and Bankruptcy are Related

In this challenging economy, many people are financially overextended and the initial things they quit paying on are credit cards. Since credit cards are thought to be a personal unsecured loan, they are generally listed in personal bankruptcy filings. Also, since several consumers have an abundance of personal credit card debt, it is usually involved in the decision to file for personal bankruptcy protection.

Credit card issuers may be ready to work with consumers on minimizing their monthly obligations or reducing the monthly interest on the card, but typically they will want the money they are owed, leaving an individual feeling bogged down by debt. That isn't to say it's the consumer credit card debt alone that is steering them to the brink of personal bankruptcy. Typically, those seeking bankruptcy relief also have a great deal of other debt. But, in most instances the demand for payments could be the deciding factor in declaring bankruptcy.

It also can sway the decision to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy over the Chapter 13 filing. In Chapter 7, competent debts are wiped out and with the unsecured status of consumer credit card debt, other than losing card rights and having it marked on your credit report, the competent debt will be eliminated.

With a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the company will be paid back over the life of the personal bankruptcy ruling, and you'll still lose the credit card privileges and the individual bankruptcy will be on the report. Chapter 13 requires you to make monthly payments to a court trustee. The court trustee then gives it out to the creditors on your behalf.

One issue that the personal bankruptcy court may use to refuse to relieve a credit card debt is when it is believed to have been increased as a result of fraudulent activity. For example, perhaps you made charges on the card for luxury items when you knew you'd quickly file for bankruptcy, with absolutely no motive of paying for them.

The charge card company can object to the discharge of the debt and when proven the legal court can rule that you still must pay back that loan, although all other debts are looked at as qualified and discharged. This isn't incredibly common however, and if you have a great bankruptcy lawyer on your side, they may help you if the situation does happen and you are not guilty of the allegation.

Before you make any decisions regarding bankruptcy, be sure to talk with your bankruptcy lawyer in Oregon about options you have or haven't got. Your bankruptcy attorney will allow you to evaluate if you should file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 and help you with any sort of bankruptcy paperwork which may need to be filed.

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