Some of our clients have waited weeks, months, even years to come in and see us because they believe that filing for bankruptcy means they have failed. They have failed themselves, they have failed their spouses, they have failed their family.
Instead of coming in to see us, they wallow in debt, denial, and depression. It’s understandable to have those emotions, but I have news for you.
It is simply not true.
How can it not be true? You have had a chance. Many people have been working since they were teenagers. You’ve worked hard and followed the rules. You didn’t cheat, you didn’t hurt anyone, and still there isn’t enough money coming in to pay the bills, decades after you started out. Is that failure?
Not the way I look at it.
I have sat across from so many wonderful people over the years that had to use our bankruptcy services at Steidl and Steinberg. Some were laborers, some were self-employed, some professionals. All of them wanted to succeed and do the best for themselves and their families. Often they did this until disaster struck. Perhaps it was a medical problem for the client or their spouse, or helping out one of the stray kids who was always getting into trouble, or was ill, or had a bad marriage. In many cases it is the loss of hours from a job, or a reduction of their pay rate, or, most often, a loss of the job itself.
Family matters are often a reason why people have to file, such as divorce, or separation, or the death of a loved one. And you know how much money it takes to raise kids, and get them through high school, and then college, and help them with their car. I never considered these things to be the failure of our clients. And neither does the Bankruptcy Court, which is totally non-judgmental on these things.
These things happen. They happen to good people, people like you, everyday. It would be a failure not to confront the problem and do the best you can do to attack it. Part of attacking the problem is to get the best information about what you can do to resolve the financial issues. Part of getting the best information often involves speaking with someone who can evaluate your situation, go over the alternatives, and allow you to make a decision about which of the choices is best for you.
Steidl and Steinberg is a law firm that might be able to do that for you, and the consultation is free. Instead of beating yourself up with how badly you feel, do something about it.