Sometimes hard-working and honest people in Mankato, MN find themselves mired in a financial mess and need to seek refuge from their hardships by filing for bankruptcy. If that description fits you, turn to the knowledgeable and compassionate professionals at Behm Law Group, Ltd. We have the expertise and experience to help you get through the bankruptcy process step-by-step.
There are many myths that swirl around bankruptcy and the types of people who file for it. Listed below are four common bankruptcy myths:
- Bankruptcy doesn’t affect that many people. The number of people who file for bankruptcy protection has decreased since the peak of The Great Recession. From 2008-2010, over 4.1 million U.S. families filed for bankruptcy. These days, the number of families who file hovers around the one million mark annually.
- Bankruptcy only happens to the poor and uneducated. Sure, among the million or so families filing for bankruptcy protection every year, there are poor and uneducated people. However, it also strikes wealthy and highly educated people. Lawyers, doctors, accountants, business owners, teachers, and many others in highly respected and high-paying professions file for bankruptcy every day.
- Bankruptcy is the result of irresponsible spending. There are some individuals who try to game the system, carelessly racking up mountains of debt and then filing for bankruptcy. However, the majority of filers are hard-working folks who may have become financially ruined by a job loss, pay decrease, divorce, or a serious illness and the subsequent pile of medical bills that creates. In many cases people rely on their credit cards to buy the necessities – food, gasoline, car repairs, clothing for the kids – and hope that their situations will improve. Sadly, things don’t always turn around, and bankruptcy is the only viable option.
- Bankruptcy permanently ruins your credit. People who file for bankruptcy are often surprised at how quickly their credit bounces back and how fast they start getting credit card offers in their mailboxes again. To rebuild your credit, think about applying for a secured credit card with a low limit that requires a deposit to a bank. Once approved for the card, make regular, on-time payments, and check your credit report to ensure that everything that was discharged in bankruptcy is, indeed, marked as discharged.
If you or a loved one is facing the difficult decision of whether or not to file for bankruptcy, give us a call today at (507) 387-7200 to learn what your options are. Even if you decide not to file, knowing the available options can bring you tremendous peace of mind.
