Filing a Bankruptcy Can Be a Relief for Florida Consumers

The rate in which consumers around the country and in Florida filed bankruptcy increased during the recession. The number of bankruptcy filings has steadily decreased, but some people believe that there may be another surge in filings. The recovering economy has some worried that consumers will once again get into serious debt.

Most consumers file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7, any assets that the U.S. Bankruptcy Code does not deem as exempt from sale are sold by a trustee in order to repay creditors. A consumer can only file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy once every eight years. Most debts are discharged meaning that the consumer does not have to pay those debts and creditors are not allowed to pursue their collection every again.

This can be a tremendous relief to a consumer who has been dealing with collection agencies and upset creditors, often for months, and sometimes for years. Collection agents are known for their harsh treatment of consumers. They often make unsubstantiated threats and can cause a great deal of stress for the consumer.

By the time a Florida consumer is ready to file for bankruptcy, they are often heavily burdened and at the end of their rope; marriages have failed due to debt problems, and the stress can actually be physically manifested. There is no need to put oneself through all of that. When it becomes apparent that one’s financial situation is beyond self-help, there is no reason not to avail oneself of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The bankruptcy system is there to help and can do more than just take care of a person’s finances, it can also relieve stress and give the filer a sense of relief they may not have felt in a long time.

Source: fresnobee.com, Bankruptcy can provide Valley residents relief from crushing debt, Tim Sheehan, Sept. 6, 2013