Category: Dickron Bohikian Law Group - page 2

Creating A Life After Bankruptcy

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Creative Programs and Systems

Bankruptcy can literally throw a curveball into your life when you really need a fastball up the middle. It may look like a dead end at the end of a long bumpy road but in reality bankruptcy is the yellow brick road to getting your financial life back on track. When you go through with a bankruptcy no matter if you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy there is a process in which to get back on your financial feet.

It is crucial that you begin by creating a budget. Take into consideration the source and amounts of income coming in verse the debt source and amount of debt going out each month. When creating a budget it is crucial to set a realistic goal of saving and spending. The most important piece in any budget is saving as much as you can and decrease the number of disposable expenses that is feasible.

After bankruptcy you learn that cash is actually the best method of spending that you can use. Paying with cash allows you to only purchase those things that you absolutely need. It allows you to save for those items that aren’t necessary; allowing you time to really consider the purchase. It isn’t that credit needs to be feared, as eventually you will need to rebuild your credit in order to purchase a home or car, credit is not necessary to live on a daily basis.

After bankruptcy it is vital that you pay all of your bills on time. Even the smallest of bills, including utilities should always be paid on time. Overdraft fees and bounced checks show up on your credit report and affect your overall credit rating.

Keep a constant eye on your credit report. Equate it to being on a diet. When you are on a diet it is crucial you check in on your weight regularly the same is true of your credit. As you are building your credit it is important to see the increase in your score on a regular basis. The numbers increasing will only help to boost your pride exactly like seeing the scale decrease increases your ability to continue to lose weight.

This may seem like an oxymoron but apply for a credit card to help you establish your credit. There are a few options: a secured credit card which works like a debit card or an unsecured card however get one where you only are approved for a very small credit line. Don’t accept credit line increases until you are one hundred percent sure that your budgeting skills are on track.

This is just the beginning. In our next installment we will continue exploring rebuilding your financial life after bankruptcy.

Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.

Dickron Bohikian Law Group

Bankruptcy Attorney, Bankruptcy Lawyer, Bankruptcy Lawyers, Bankruptcy Relief, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debit Relief, Debt Settlement & Remediation, Legal Experience, Local Attorney, Local Law Firm

Rebuilding Life After Bankruptcy

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Creative Programs and Systems

The task of rebuilding your life after you have filed for bankruptcy can seem quite overwhelming. It is important to recognize that your life is in the midst of a transformation. Bankruptcy allows individuals to start over; it provides a clean slate where you are in control of your life unlike your previous life which was being ruled by your debt. This article will talk about restructuring your credit rating, finances and emotional health.

Individuals, who have recently filed for Chapter 7or Chapter 13 bankruptcy need to come to terms with their pasts, put it behind them and begin to chart a course of action to regain financial stability. Bankruptcy offers a second chance to individuals. A key element to ensure this second chance is not wasted is commitment. Commit to recovering. The post bankruptcy steps listed below will help to preserve the calm that you feel right after bankruptcy.

The first thing individuals must realize is that they are not alone. Let go of any shame or guilt that you may be feeling. Many individuals find themselves in a financial predicament where they must seek protection with bankruptcy. There is no reason to be disappointed or to allow the feeling of humiliation to takeover your future. To ensure success you must move forward with a positive mindset. Make peace with your past and let it go. There are many reasons that people declare bankruptcy: medical bills, divorce, losing a job and various other personal stumbling blocks. Learn from the mistakes that were made and move towards your fresh start do not allow yourself to dwell in the past.

The next step individuals must take after bankruptcy is to create a realistic financial house with a professional support team in place. It is time to create a budget and concentrate your efforts on making a plan that allows you to pay your bills on time, build an emergency fund and account for the future. Live under your means to ensure that you never find yourself in an unpredictable financial situation again.

Next it is crucial that you begin to rebuild your credit rating. The simplest way to achieve this is through paying your bills on time. Once you have begun routinely paying your bills on time it is important to establish a line of credit. This may mean taking out a car loan or obtaining a small line of credit. It is important to note that after bankruptcy you make need a cosigner and may be required to pay higher than average interest rates. It will take some time but you will once again prove yourself to be credit worthy once again.

Remember to fact check. Never believe anything you hear about bankruptcy without fact checking with your attorney. There are many myths and misconception that surround the bankruptcy process. Bankruptcy attorneys are the best source of truth.

One of the most well known myths is that filing for bankruptcy will automatically disqualify you from receiving a mortgage for ten years. This is false. It is also not true that when you file for bankruptcy you have to wait at least seven years to obtain a credit card. In fact ninety six percent of bankruptcy filers are offered a new credit card within the first year of declaring bankruptcy. Separate fact from fiction with help from your bankruptcy lawyer. They can help guide you through all of the falsehoods that surround building a financial future after bankruptcy.

Dickron Bohikian Law Group

Bankruptcy Attorney, Bankruptcy Lawyer, Bankruptcy Lawyers, Bankruptcy Relief, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief, Debt Settlement & Remediation, Legal Experience, Local Attorney, Local Law Firm

Bankruptcy and How The New Laws Affect You

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Creative Programs and Systems

If you are considering personal bankruptcy it is important to understand the laws and how they affect your situation. New bankruptcy laws have been put into place to help individuals get out of their current situation before they have to resort to filing for bankruptcy.

New bankruptcy laws make credit counseling mandatory within one hundred and eighty days of an individual filing for bankruptcy. Individuals must relay all pay stubs that are received within the sixty days prior to bankruptcy be filed with the court. All creditors owed are entitled to a copy of the individuals most recent tax returns. Filing individuals must attend financial management classes after filing for bankruptcy.

Before filing for bankruptcy under the current laws it is important to take a long hard look at your financial situation. Answer the following questions honestly to determine if you really should consider bankruptcy and which option is best for you.

Is it reasonable to expect that your debt can be paid off completely within three years while maintaining a tolerable standard of living? If the answer is yes then you are most likely on a solid financial foot and just need to adjust the way you are currently living to fit your current situation. If you cannot reasonably expect to be debt free in three years with a bit of adjusting to your current spending than you should look into the option of bankruptcy.

With chapter 7 bankruptcy many of your debts are forgiven immediately. You will need to surrender any and all non exempt property. It is important to note that ninety six percent of filers do not lose any assets when filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to pay a portion of your debt back over the course of three to five years. The type of bankruptcy you can file for will be dependent upon your current finances.

If your median income is greater than the median income for your state you may chose to file chapter 13 bankruptcy with a five year repayment plan. A chapter 7 bankruptcy with an income greater than the state median may be dismissed if your debt is mostly consumer debt and you flunk the Means Test. If your income is lower than the state median then you automatically fail the Means Test. This means if you choose chapter 13 bankruptcy your repayment plan will only span three years. You will not be committed to spending all of your disposable income to a five year repayment plan.

Do you need time to catch up on your mortgage? Do you have nonexempt property you wish to keep? Do you owe taxes or support payments that you need time to pay off without the hassle of creditors? The rules vary from state to state but generally homesteads, pensions, cars and household goods are all exempt. If you answered yes you may consider chapter 13 bankruptcy. If your income is greater than the state median you have to pay on your repayment plan for five years; if it isn’t the three year plan is your only option when filing for chapter 13. If you answer no to these questions than chapter 7 bankruptcy is the better option.

To get more information on bankruptcy and the process, call to set up an appointment to meet with a qualified bankruptcy attorney today. Your financial future depends on hiring the right person to represent you throughout the bankruptcy process.

Dickron Bohikian Law Group