Alternatives to Filing Bankruptcy


Deciding to file for bankruptcy is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Too many people opt for this decision before finding out what other alternatives are available to them. Filing for Bankruptcy should be your last resort if possible. We have listed some alternatives for you to consider below:

Make a Settlement

If the debit you owe is manageable and will not hinder your everyday living and finances it is best to try and pay it in full or to call and make settlement arrangements with the creditor.

While borrowing money to pay off your debts may seem like a good idea at the time, it shouldn't be your first choice. If you are having trouble paying your bills now, a new loan will only make your struggle to pay bills a harder one.

Debt Consolidation

I am sure you have seen the commercials on TV, heard your friends talk about it or seen the ads on the Internet. A debt consolidation loan can be a good solution but it will depend on your situation. Most debt consolidation loans are secured using your home as collateral by placing a second mortgage on the home.

However, we must advise you that this is a risky choice! When deciding if debt consolidation is a good choice for you, you need to first make sure you will be able to pay all of your other bills on time while being able to survive monthly. Failing to pay a debt consolidation loan could mean losing your home to the creditor. Also, don't pick the first loan consolidation company you hear about be sure to compare interest rates so the payments will be manageable.

Ignoring the Creditor's

Ignoring the creditors is an option, but not a smart one as it will only make it worse for you later. Many people fall to ignoring the debts and then they start to pile higher and higher getting more out of control and further from you being able to pay them. If you continually ignore the creditor's attempts for payments, you could very well end up with a lien on your home. No matter how large or small the debt is the creditor will continue to hound you for payment.

Whatever you choose as the best option for you, ignoring the problem will only make the situation worse. Taking control of the problem from the start is your best bet.

Credit Counseling

Credit counseling agencies will contact your creditors and make new payment arrangements for you. Most will also be able to get your interest rate lowered and/or have your interest payments stopped.

Some families have found credit counseling to be a good solution for avoiding bankruptcy. It will also get the creditors to stop calling you and allow you some breathing room! Experts say to try and avoid for profit credit counseling agencies and instead try to go with non profit credit counseling agencies. As always, be sure and do your research before making a decision.

Filing Bankruptcy

If you have exhausted all other resources and still feel bankruptcy is your only viable option you can learn more about filing bankruptcy or buy do it yourself bankruptcy forms.

Sam Argon is a former banker who loves to contribute to several financial message boards in his spare time now that he has retired. In addition, Sam has written information about bankruptcy for http://www.filingforbankruptcyonline.com - a website offering information and resources about personal bankruptcy for people who are thinking about it and want further information.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Debt Consolidation Information:

Related Articles

Debt Consolidation Primer - Four Things You Can Do to Get Out of Debt
Problem debt is rampant throughout America. In addition to mortgages and auto loans, the average household in the U.
Is A Debt Consolidation Loan Your Best Option?
For many people the lure of easy credit has taken them into the forbidden zone of debt. Between debt on regular credit cards, shopping store credit cards, home equity lines of credit, mortgages and car payments it's no wonder consumers are finding themselves financially and emotionally drained as they float in a sea of debt.
Debt a Glossary of Terms
Bankruptcy - Having been legally declared financially insolvent. There are two types of bankruptcy - liquidation, in which your debts are cleared (discharged) and reorganization, in which you provide the court with a plan for how you intend to repay your debts.
Debt Consolidation: Why And How This Strategy Often Backfires!
Debt consolidation solutions, has found that as good as it sounds, debt consolidation loans rarely save you any money.In fact, they usually backfire and you wind up with an even greater debt load than before.
Reducing Debt Through Lower Interest Loans
It happens to the majority of us, credit card debt accumulates and before we quite realize it, we are carrying a debt load that is far beyond our means. When this happens, we need to take immediate positive steps to knock down the debt as quickly as possible.
What You Need to Know About Debt Consolidation Loans UK
Should you find yourself over your head in debt, you might want to start looking into debt consolidation loans UK . These loans are designed for the person who needs help in taking care of their outstanding debt, keeping them from bankruptcy.
Individual Voluntary Arrangement IVA, an alternative to bankruptcy
Individual Voluntary Arrangement, IVA is an alternative to bankruptcy - which could provide you with a real solution to your debt problems.An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is an alternative to bankruptcy.
When Your Bills Are Piling Up Here Are 6 Different Ways to Consolidate
When it comes to debt consolidation some people dream of day when all their bills will disappear. Next to hitting the jackpot, a debt consolidation loan is some times the only way out for a debtor.
Benefits of a Debt Consolidation Loan
There are many benefits in choosing a Debt Consolidation Loan, some of which are listed below:May be able to reduce your monthly payments.Can take off some of the pressure you may be under from your existing creditors.
Consolidating Your Government Student Loans
A Consolidation Loan allows you to combine your federal student loans into a single loan with one monthly payment, which can be significantly lower than the payment required under the standard 10-year repayment option. Under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, banks, secondary markets, credit unions, and other lenders provide the Consolidation Loans.
Cutting Your Monthly Outgoing With Debt Consolidation
With consumer debt on the rise, many people have found themselves burdened with crippling monthly repayments on a variety of loans. This can make life very difficult, and can often means seriously compromising on your quality of life.
Before Considering Debt Consolidation
If you believe in the good in people then you probably also believe that few people take out loans, or other forms of credit, with the intention of skipping the bill. With credit counseling, debt consolidation, and even bankruptcy on the rise, it's a little hard to believe in the good in people.
Debt Consolidation - Can You Negotiate with Your Credit Card Company?
The average American household has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt, and many people are only able to make the minimum payment of 2% of the balance. Even 2% is $200, and by paying the minimum payment, you could be paying on the balance for decades before you finally pay it off.
Thinking Beyond Debt Consolidation Loans
Planning to devise a permanent solution to the problems of debt? The chances of success, to be exact, are lesser, given the features which characterize the debts. Debts are the result of the disequilibrium in the relationship between income and expenditure.
Debt Reduction Solutions
Finding solutions to reducing your debt takes some thinking and research on your part. You have some good choices available to you and we shall list these key debt reduction solutions for you right here:1.
Get Out of Debt
It is said that a pet tiger cub can become dangerous if it tastes blood. It will stop at killing no one, not even the people who brought it up.
Debt Consolidation - Consolidate Your Student Loans Now!
The Federal student loan program has benefited thousands of college students in the forty years since it was introduced. Interest rates for the program have historically been quite competitive, and the program has allowed many people to acquire a college education who otherwise might not have been able to afford one.
Debt Consolidation Loan
Debt Consolidation of Different LoansDebt consolidation refers to the restructuring of a large number of unsecured debts into one low monthly payment, while eliminating interest and reducing the total amount owed to creditors. Debt consolidation has become popular with people as they cope with increasing amounts of credit card debt, home mortgage loans, car loans, and student loans, along with low credit ratings and threatening phone calls from creditors.
Debt Elimination: Legal! Lawful! Ethical! Debt Elimination Really Works
You are trying hard to eliminate your loans but keep falling back on your old ways. This constantly leads you back to square one situation and debts seem like they are ever increasing.
Stafford Loan Consolidation
Stafford Loan ConsolidationA Stafford Loan, which can help to finance your way through a college or university, comes in two forms:Subsidized Stafford LoansA subsidized Stafford Loan, which you can receive based upon your specific financial aid. When a Stafford loan is subsidized, you are not required to pay any interest on the loan while you attend school.