In a cultural sense, bankruptcy is often perceived as a financial tool used by businesses when they are struggling under the weight of debt. However, as some South Carolina residents are already aware, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also a tool that can be used by individuals or families for whom debt has become an insurmountable issue. This is particularly true for older people, who may be laboring under debt that is years or decades old. Thankfully, Chapter 7 remains a helpful financial strategy in combating financial obligations that have become unmanageable.
In a Chapter 7 filing, the federal bankruptcy court in the filer’s state will take an accounting of the accrued assets and debts of the filer. Some of these assets can be liquidated to pay down existing debt, while other assets are considered exempt from the bankruptcy process. Similarly, most and sometimes all debt can be discharged by the court. Common examples of this sort of debt include credit card debt and medical bills.
Before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the filer must attend credit counseling courses, as well as debtor education programs once the filing is complete. Certificates proving attendance at these courses are required before any debt is discharged by the court. It can be helpful for an individual to secure the support of an experienced bankruptcy attorney to assist in the filing process, which can involve considerable paperwork.
Once the filing is complete, however, a South Carolina resident who has filed for bankruptcy will likely achieve substantial financial relief. This can make a massive difference to an individual or family suffering under the weight of debt. Moving forward with the support of an experienced attorney, a plan for improving one’s credit score and moving forward financially can be put into place.
