The Two Sides of Bankruptcy

Copyright (c) 2010 Suzy Vanstrusen

Many consumers see bankruptcy as a bad thing. It usually symbolizes the loss of huge money, companies closing down, repossession of assets, legal procedures and others. However, we must know that these are not the only things bankruptcy stands for.

What is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process that provides people and even businesses a fresh start from all their debts. In the world of finance, filing for bankruptcy means that a person or a business owner is in dire financial difficulty that prevents him from settling his outstanding obligations with all his creditors.

With the help of this credit-busting option, a consumer can eliminate some or even all his existing debts. If this is not possible, then the consumer will be given more flexible payments terms, under the supervision of the bankruptcy court.

Creditors can also benefit from a bankruptcy. Through this credit option, lenders that provide unsecured credit accounts can equally share in whatever payments a borrower can afford to make. This way, they can also regain substantial portions of the funds that they have extended for credit.

Now, what are the good and bad sides of having a bad credit report? So how will bankruptcy affect the reports you have with the three credit reporting bureaus? The following are the answers to these questions.

The Good Side of Bankruptcy

Many consumers believe that bankruptcy gives them protection. This is because upon filing for bankruptcy all debt collection activities generally stop. How come? Well bankruptcy removes your legal obligation to repay most, if not all of your outstanding debts. So, collection agencies as well as your creditors can no longer ask you to settle your unpaid credit charges once you have applied for bankruptcy. Not only that. Bankruptcy can also give you protection from losing valuable utilities services like electricity, water services and others.

You can also avoid further wage garnishment through the help of bankruptcy. Once you have passed the Means Test given by the bankruptcy courts, you are now free to receive your complete salary each month.

Bankruptcy also provides you a chance to start anew. Without worrying about your outstanding financial obligations, you can easily focus your attention in managing your finances responsibly. This way, you can avoid falling into new debt traps and prevent yourself from experiencing financial difficulties.

The Bad Side of Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy also has its own set of drawbacks. Keep in mind that a bankruptcy record stays on a credit file for about seven to ten years. This can cause you to have a bad credit report, which will in turn cause you to have a difficult time in applying and getting approved for credit accounts that carry affordable rates and flexible payment terms.

Not only that. Bankruptcy can also cause for your credit scores to go down. You can lose as much as 100 points from your current credit rating once you have applied for this credit option. And it may take you some time to cause a great improvement on your credit profile that is being managed by the three credit reporting agencies.

Still, if you are diligent and determined enough, you can gradually recover your financial health after your bankruptcy mark has been dropped from your credit records. By then, you can receive better credit scores from the three credit reporting agencies and you can soon be granted the credit programs you need.

We hope that this short overview helped you see the other things that can be associated with the credit option known as bankruptcy.

For people who want to learn how to repair their own credit, Suzy Vanstrusen, a credit analyst and a writer of EzCreditRepairSolutions.com, has been providing consumers with tips and tricks in repairing your credit. Check the site for more free credit repair and credit report score.
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