Should You Intentionally Go Bankrupt?

As your credit card bills continue to pile up, you may be asking yourself whether it might be time to go bankrupt. As the US economy continues to struggle, millions of Americans find themselves in an impossible predicament with mountains of debt that they simply cannot pay back. Although many people may jump to conclusions, proclaiming that these debtors deserve their newfound hardships, the truth is that a lot of them didn’t wind up this way on purpose. Perhaps their finances took a dive due to an unexpected job loss or a medical condition. Whatever the reason, the bankruptcy process was set up to help people eliminate a portion of their debt and to move on with their lives.

When asking whether or not you should go through the process of declaring yourself bankrupt, you must first consider the many alternatives to bankruptcy that exist. Some of the more common options include debt settlements, consolidation loans and other forms of structured repayment. Because each of these options involves careful negotiation with creditors, it’s recommended that you seek the service of a professional service provider. There are many companies that specialize in debt settlements, though it’s important to do the proper research on a potential company before signing on the dotted line. The fact is that many of these companies want nothing more than to make money off of people in desperate need of assistance, and while ethical companies do exist, it may take a bit of researching to find them.

If you find that claiming bankruptcy is the best option, then you should consider speaking to a qualified financial professional. Finding reputable bankruptcy lawyers is easy if you’re willing to take some time to search for local professionals within your area. The Internet can be a great way to find attorneys quickly and can also be used to gauge whether or not a particular firm or individual is worth hiring. A prospective attorney should have a positive history with their past clients and you should feel comfortable when speaking to them.