FOR those who are struggling with debt problems, the decision to file for bankruptcy never comes easy. Of course, it is natural for people to be afraid of things they don’t understand and bankruptcy can be at the top of the list.
For example, someone asked me the other day if filing for bankruptcy can have an adverse effect on his application for US Citizenship or his ability to file an immigration petition for a relative. Somehow, he felt that by filing for bankruptcy in order to be relieved from debt, he was committing some type of criminal act and that he was going to be "paying for it one way or the other". I explained to him that there was nothing "criminal" about filing for bankruptcy and that as a matter of fact, bankruptcy laws were enacted by Congress to help individuals like him who could no longer help themselves in dealing with debt problems. He breathed a sigh of relief after realizing that his fears were completely baseless.
Yes, there’s a certain feeling of shame or stigma associated with bankruptcy. After all, financial problems are a very personal matter and a lot of people won’t discuss their situation even with their closest friends or family members. This often creates isolation and people try to deal with their problems on their own- until one day they realize they cannot do it anymore. Do you know anyone who may be in this situation- perhaps you?
Every day I see a lot of people who have suffered needlessly, sometimes for years, and have done nothing about their situation until one day they get sued by a creditor or their employer tells them that they just received an order to garnish the person’s wages. So they panic and decide to see a bankruptcy lawyer right away. At this point, they are so broke that they can barely put food on the table and keep the lights on. Why wait until you get to this point? In a lot of cases that I see, people could have done something much sooner to spare themselves from unnecessary debt suffering.
As I stated above, a long time ago, our own US Congress decided that there has to be a way to help people in debt when they can no longer help themselves. So they passed bankruptcy laws to give people a chance for a fresh financial start. So the honest debtor, freed from the burden of heavy indebtedness, can now start a new life and become productive again. Thank God we have bankruptcy laws in this country that allow people to do that! Where would most people be today without having been given a second chance at one point in their lives?
The simple point I am making in this article is that you are never beyond help no matter how difficult your financial situation may seem to be at the moment. Don’t let your fear of the unknown keep you stuck in your situation. If you don’t take action now to find out what your legal options are, your life will never change and someday, you will have no one but yourself to blame. Find an experienced and knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney who will take the time to listen and understand your situation. Once you get over your fears and begin to understand that the law is on your side (not against you), this could be a big turning point in your life.
If you are in debt and need to find the best solution for your situation, call toll-free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos, West Covina and Valencia.
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None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 4,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.
( Published May 19, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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