Additional Causes of Bankruptcy

This post is the third in a series about the most common causes of personal bankruptcy. In the first post medical expenses were identified as the cause for the most bankruptcies in the United States. The second post recognized job loss and unemployment as the second most common cause of bankruptcies. In this final segment we will discuss the third, fourth, and fifth most common causes of personal bankruptcy.

Out-of-Control Spending

This cause of bankruptcy is perhaps the most embarrassing. What’s worse, it advances the misconception that people who declare bankruptcy are irresponsible shopaholics. However, people in this group usually get into financial trouble through no fault of their own. Out-of-Control-Spending can be caused by any of the other four financial situations!

For example, a person is living on an extremely tight budget due to one or more of the other four situations. Suddenly their car breaks down but they need it to drive to job interviews or medical treatments. The only way to pay for the repair bill is to use a credit card. Then winter comes, and they don’t have enough income to pay the heating bill, so they use a credit card to cover that expense. As cash becomes tighter they turn to their credit cards to buy fuel and groceries. Before they realize it they’ve maxed out their credit cards and the amounts due plus interest are beyond their financial means.

Divorce

Most couples rely on a two-person income. But when a divorce occurs, their income is cut in half. And on top of that, they have hefty legal fees from the divorce.

Disasters

Hurricane Sandy demonstrated how powerful and destructive nature can be. Thousands of people suddenly faced having their homes and businesses destroyed, instantly making them homeless and unemployed. For many of these people it will take many months to receive the insurance benefits resulting from their claims. Even after receiving their money it will take longer to rebuild and reestablish their homes and businesses. Although many are receiving state and federal financial assistance, the severity of the damage and length of time it will take to return to “normal” will cost more than they can afford. For many of these folks a bankruptcy may be required to gain a fresh start.

Getting Legal Help

If you are in a position where you need a credit card to feed your children, you are facing desperate circumstances and you may need to call a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney. Call Stephen Behm at Behm Law Group, Ltd. Bankruptcy is not without its consequences. In particular, a bankruptcy filing will have a negative impact on your credit rating. However, bankruptcy can be the first step toward getting a fresh start and getting one back on one’s financial feet. Even though you may have a bankruptcy on your credit, you will likely be more credit worthy after a bankruptcy filing than you were before. The reason for this is that all or most of your debts will be discharged through the bankruptcy and new creditors with whom you consult later will see that they will not have to compete with old creditors to get paid. If you want a fresh start, contact Stephen Behm at Behm Law Group, Ltd.

Top Causes of Personal Bankruptcy

This post is the second in a series about the most common causes of personal bankruptcy. The first post discussed medical expenses which is the number one reason for filing bankruptcy in the United States. And just like the sudden onset of illness, the second most common cause of bankruptcy is something that is out of most people’s control: job loss.

Unemployment and the Jobless Recovery

In October 2010, the unemployment rate rose to 10%; in other words, 1 out of 10 Americans were unemployed. As of November, 2012, the unemployment rate was listed at 7.7%. If you go strictly by the numbers, the “upside” is a decline of 2.3% in unemployment. The “downside” however is the fact this number doesn’t account for those who are no longer applying for or receiving unemployment. These folks, the “chronically” unemployed, no longer receive any types of benefits at all. For them the situation has not improved much, if at all, and actually may be far worse.

In today’s economy, when someone is laid off, the chance of finding a job in a reasonable amount of time is slim. The average duration of unemployment is 40 weeks. During that time the unemployed person must continue to meet their financial obligations such as housing, utilities, auto insurance, medical insurance, life insurance, credit card bills, and somehow put food on the table. When a person faces tough financial times they must make tough choices, such as using their extremely limited funds to either pay a credit card bill or feed their children. Most would agree that buying groceries to feed the family is the responsible choice. When suffering through a financial crisis such as this you need all the help and compassion you deserve, but just how likely is it for a big credit card company to suspend your payments for 40 weeks?

Getting Legal Help

If you are overwhelmed with debt as a result of a job loss, call Stephen Behm a Minnesota bankruptcy lawyer at Behm Law Group LTD. You can count on a Stephen Behm to treat you with the respect you deserve. Nobody ever sets out on their financial journey through life thinking they will need to declare bankruptcy. However, if you find yourself in a financial crisis and can’t find a way to satisfy all your creditors, bankruptcy can give you the second chance that you deserve.