The Danger in Delaying Bankruptcy

I know you don’t want to file bankruptcy. There is a lot of baggage that comes along with this one particular legal procedure. Feelings of guilt, failure, and just simply not wanting to deal with the harsh realities of serious debt collection. But there comes a time when you have to act – and if you don’t, it could end up causing you major problems.

I have written on this topic before, but again this week I have meet with a few people who have delayed the inevitable and it ended up causing a lot of pain.  On occasion I will have someone hire me to help them through the bankruptcy process.  They give me all the needed documents, complete the required credit counseling, and even pay me my legal fee, and then…they disappear.  They don’t return my calls, they don’t come by to visit.  Nada.  So the their bankruptcy file goes back upon the shelf and I wait for them to call me.

And I know they will call.  Because if you have come to the point of filing bankruptcy, and then backed away, there are likely creditors out there lurking, just waiting for an opportunity to garnish your wages or levy your bank account.  And it will happen.  And when it does, then my client returns my call and they are in full panic mode.  Wages have been taken or bank accounts drained.  We can still proceed with the bankruptcy, but generally the money that has been taken is gone for good.

If you and your bankruptcy lawyer have made the decision that you should file for bankruptcy, commit to the process.  It is not fun.  It is not pain-free.  But it is likely going to be much less painful than what you are imagining.  Don’t be lulled into a sense of complacency because the phone calls have stopped or because you haven’t been garnished yet.  It will happen, it just takes time.  Commit to becoming debt free.  Think about that.  Debt free.