Archive for June, 2007

Explaining Federal Exemptions In Bankruptcy

Saturday, June 30th, 2007

The bankruptcy laws were recently changed and federal legislation enacted by Congress. The new laws governing bankruptcy set a standard, which benefits the creditors. Although Congress did allow some states the option to create their own laws governing federal exemptions in bankruptcy laws. The choice between federal or state guidelines in done in sixteen states.

The states that follow the federal guidelines are:
Arkansas New Mexico
Connecticut Pennsylvania
Rhode Island District of Columbia
South Carolina Hawaii
Massachusetts Washington
Wisconsin Vermont
Minnesota New Jersey
Texas Michigan

When you think about the exemptions, you have to include the value of the property today, not the value when you bought the asset. If you are married and filing jointly this value doubles.

Federal exemptions in bankruptcy laws are a touchy subject and since the changes have occurred, many do not understand the bankruptcy laws anymore. They have become a bit more complex.

Some of the federal exemptions in bankruptcy include the following:

The equity in your primary home is exempt up to seventeen thousand four hundred dollars. You may use up to eight thousand in home equity for other property including a cemetery plot.

You can claim exemption for pension and retirement plans that is needed for support.

Life insurance worth ninety-three hundred dollars, disability payments, and life insurance you pay for another person and any insurance contracts are covered under the federal exemptions in bankruptcy.

Any benefits you get for public assistance including unemployment benefits, and monies received from crimes victims.

The other federal exemptions in bankruptcy include:

Pet, animals and crops

Clothing and up to eleven hundred dollars in jewelry

Books and household goods

Appliances and furnishings

Musical instruments and a car valued up to twenty-seven hundred dollars

Any personal injury payments up to seventeen thousand four hundred dollars except what was for pain and suffering

Alimony and support payments

Explaining Federal Exemptions In Bankruptcy

Saturday, June 30th, 2007

The bankruptcy laws were recently changed and federal legislation enacted by Congress. The new laws governing bankruptcy set a standard, which benefits the creditors. Although Congress did allow some states the option to create their own laws governing federal exemptions in bankruptcy laws. The choice between federal or state guidelines in done in sixteen states.

The states that follow the federal guidelines are:
Arkansas New Mexico
Connecticut Pennsylvania
Rhode Island District of Columbia
South Carolina Hawaii
Massachusetts Washington
Wisconsin Vermont
Minnesota New Jersey
Texas Michigan

When you think about the exemptions, you have to include the value of the property today, not the value when you bought the asset. If you are married and filing jointly this value doubles.

Federal exemptions in bankruptcy laws are a touchy subject and since the changes have occurred, many do not understand the bankruptcy laws anymore. They have become a bit more complex.

Some of the federal exemptions in bankruptcy include the following:

The equity in your primary home is exempt up to seventeen thousand four hundred dollars. You may use up to eight thousand in home equity for other property including a cemetery plot.

You can claim exemption for pension and retirement plans that is needed for support.

Life insurance worth ninety-three hundred dollars, disability payments, and life insurance you pay for another person and any insurance contracts are covered under the federal exemptions in bankruptcy.

Any benefits you get for public assistance including unemployment benefits, and monies received from crimes victims.

The other federal exemptions in bankruptcy include:

Pet, animals and crops

Clothing and up to eleven hundred dollars in jewelry

Books and household goods

Appliances and furnishings

Musical instruments and a car valued up to twenty-seven hundred dollars

Any personal injury payments up to seventeen thousand four hundred dollars except what was for pain and suffering

Alimony and support payments

Bankruptcy - The Best Ways to Deal With It

Friday, June 29th, 2007

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, you have come to the right place. You might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed and confused. Lets get you started on the track towards financial freedom and see what the best ways of dealing with bankruptcy are.

If you need to file bankruptcy you need to know the different types of bankruptcy and the variety of services available to you. Since bankruptcy is a last resort method to resolving your debts you could find after some research that you can become financially free without the need of bankruptcy. You may find that a credit counseling agency can help you with your budget and help you pay off your debts without taking away all of your money. You may find that a lawyer can also help you fend off debt collectors while you are working with your debts and trying to pay them off. So, lets take a look at the alternatives to bankruptcy before you decide that you will choose that last resort. You should try an alternative before you take the leap and file for bankruptcy with a lawyer.

Credit Counseling Services

You have found yourself filled to your eyeballs with debt and the phone keeps ringing for you with threatening and mean debt collectors wanting all the money in your bank. Sure, it is true that you owe the money and need to pay it back, but being in debt can be very stressful and anxiety producing. All of this above the overwhelming feeling that weighs on your shoulders knowing you owe so much money can put a strain on everything in your life. It can hinder your decision making skills, making it that much harder to figure out the best way to deal with it. This is where a credit counseling service could help you a great deal. They can help you find an alternative to bankruptcy that fits your needs and your lifestyle. They can even help with your budget. They will help guide you through the different options available for you so you can hopefully avoid bankruptcy.

There are two different kinds of credit counseling agencies: one that is non-profit and one that is for profit. Most of the time the best one to go for is a non-profit credit counseling agency so you do not have to spend any money, and the services are the same.

Going On With Filing Bankruptcy

If you find out at the credit counseling agencies you visit that you do not have any alternatives you may find yourself looking at the last resort: bankruptcy. You will need to find a bankruptcy lawyer and pay him or her for their services up front. Check around first to find a lawyer that will not charge you too much. Bankruptcy services will help you stop any foreclosures, create and work within a budget, reduce your credit card debt, and help you repair your credit.

You do have options available to you. Just ask for some help before things get worse and you could find yourself smiling on the road to financial freedom and a debt free life.