WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF BANKRUPTCY ON CREDIT?
Most
bankruptcy clients promise themselves that
they will never again have or use a credit
card. Some, however, consider keeping at least
one of their old cards for convenience or
emergencies after their bankruptcy is over.
In fact, there is usually no reason for you
to retain any of your old credit cards
through your bankruptcy.
Most
people receive unsolicited credit cards soon
after they file bankruptcy. Bankruptcy
debtors receive new credit cards because
they are a better credit risk after wiping
out their debts in bankruptcy than they were
when they owed money to many creditors.
Also, bankruptcy clients cannot file against
newly issued credit cards for eight years in
a Chapter 7. For most people, bankruptcy
makes it easier, not harder, to get new
credit cards.
As
soon as you receive your bankruptcy
discharge, you will be able to qualify for
some basic consumer loans, although at a
higher interest rate. The good news is most
lenders state that it takes no more than two
years to reestablish a normal credit rating
provided you pay debts currently and make
sufficient income. Within two years after
receiving a Chapter 7 discharge, most people
are able to purchase cars and homes with
normal interest rates and terms.
At
one time, bankruptcy destroyed peoples'
credit. Banks used to believe personal
bankruptcy was a stigma on credit that a
debtor could not overcome. Today, so many
people file bankruptcy every year that banks
cannot ignore this large market of potential
customers. As a result, banks are much more
lenient toward people forced into
bankruptcy. While no one plans to file
bankruptcy, the effect of filing today is
not nearly as bad as your creditors would
like you to believe.