Making a decision to try to repair your financial situation is a difficult one. It’s tough enough to deal with the pressure of rising bills, penalties and interest rates, and bill collectors can be ruthless and degrading.
You don’t just wake up one day and say “I think I will file bankruptcy today.” This is a decision that takes thought, time and sound counseling like we offer here at Steidl and Steinberg.
So you have given it serious thought and your heart and your checkbook tell you it is the right thing to do. But there’s something else that is nagging you. Your credit score.
You are probably thinking your credit score is going to reflect this action. It will. But let’s face it, your credit score is already bad. The best way to help it move back up is to get rid of the debts you are carrying.
Then there is one other area that makes it so difficult for people to file bankruptcy. The whole world is going to know.
There is the fear that Mom or Uncle Harry or the nosy neighbor across the street is going to find out. Can they find out? Yes. Are they likely to? No.
A bankruptcy filing is a matter of public record. But how many people are going to take the time to go through court records to find out you have filed? How many people are going to know what to even look for? And really, don’t they have better things to do with their lives?
While there are still a few newspapers around the country that are stuck in the past and print bankruptcy filings, do not be concerned about your bankruptcy filing being in a daily newspaper if you live in the five-county (Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland) Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Newsprint is too expensive to waste on routine proceedings like a personal bankruptcy. Let’s be honest here – your bills are not newsworthy.
So what if it somehow makes the newspaper? It will end up on the bottom of the bird cage the next day.
The bottom line is that you have financial problems. You need help. A bankruptcy gives you a chance to start your financial life over. The bill collectors are silenced. You can have peace of mind knowing you can rebuild your credit. You have learned some hard and valuable lessons.
The attorneys at Steidl and Steinberg are knowledgeable and understanding professionals who are here to help you through the complex world of financial management. We will meet with you to discuss your options and work with you develop a game plan and choose the right path to a new beginning. You will be surprised how painless the process is and relieved at how your life will be simplified.
The call and consultation with Steidl and Steinberg is free. The knowledge you will receive about your options is priceless. Call us at 800-360-9392.
In the end, the only person who matters in regard to your financial situation is the person you see in the mirror. It’s OK if that person knows you have filed bankruptcy.