Bank finance articles and tips

When filing bankruptcy, a debtor can keep their car using several strategies. Let's take a look at a few:

If You Own Your Vehicle

If you own your vehicle and don't have a lease or loan attached to it, you can hold onto the car in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. As long as the vehicle is covered completely by the bankruptcy exemption allowances, Chapter 7 bankruptcy will allow a debtor to hold onto their car while discharging other unsecured debts. However, if the vehicle's value exceeds your bankruptcy exemptions then the bankruptcy trustee may ask you to sell the vehicle and distribute to creditors the amount which exceeds the bankruptcy exemption. Or, the bankruptcy trustee may allow you to pay cash for the amount that exceeds the exemptions. For example, if you have a vehicle worth $6,000 and an exemption for only $5,000, then you can pay the bankruptcy estate $1,000 cash and keep your vehicle.

Declaring a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a great financial option for those struggling with crippling debt - but there may be a few questions that you're asking yourself: what exactly happens to your credit score when you declare bankruptcy? How will your credit be affected once your bankruptcy is confirmed? What should you do in order to take advantage of the second chance that bankruptcy gives you?

Luckily, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is there to help curious consumers to shift through any credit confusion. Passed in 1970, the Fair Credit Reporting Act is a law enforced by the Federal Trade Commission that protects the basic rights of credit consumers in the United States. While the FCRA was established to put an end to extreme harassment from creditors and debt collectors, this act also allows consumers to receive one free credit report per year in order to check for any reporting errors that may cause a person's credit score to be lower than usual.

Declaring personal bankruptcy is one of the smartest financial moves that you can make after struggling with crippling debt. Your credit score has long been suffering thanks to your battle with debt - and a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy can put an end to that battle.

However, what about your credit after a personal bankruptcy? With so many financial experts claiming different "facts" about what happens to your credit - and what you should and shouldn't do about it - it can cause much confusion for those looking to take advantage of the second chance that bankruptcy affords. After all, there are many questions that need answers: should you forgo having credit after declaring bankruptcy? Should you stick to a "cash only" lifestyle?

When a debtor files a voluntary bankruptcy, a change in circumstances may occur which justifies dismissing the case. While it is rarely recommended that a debtor dismiss their bankruptcy case, there are some issues which can arise that justify a dismissal. Let's take a look at a few:

Job Changes

If a debtor files Chapter 13 bankruptcy they are doing so because they earn enough income to pay some of their unsecured debts and hold onto property attached to loans. Under a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan, a debtor's income allows them to make monthly payments for three to five years until the terms of the repayment plan is satisfied. However, if a debtor's income decreases significantly or they lose their job, they may want to dismiss their bankruptcy case. A dismissal may be the best course of action if a change in income occurs before plan confirmation or before the debtor has begun making payments. However, if the debtor has already begun making payments on their debts they might prefer a conversion to Chapter 7 bankruptcy instead.

Here's a great technique for all managers, supervisors, and anyone who has to confront a subordinate for inappropriate or less than a superlative performance. I call it "Giving 'em the chair." It works like this.

You call the would-be offender into your office and exchange the initial pleasantries and establish a modicum of rapport and you start out with something like "I have a problem and I was wondering if I could ask you to help me figure something out." Notice we haven't blamed anyone or told him he has a problem, yet. The usual response is that the candidate will lower his guard and be more than willing to help you and the team. Then proceed to let him peek behind the curtain. Tell him you have been having an issue with an employee, don't say too much, keep it light and immediately segue and ask him to sit in your chair. Ask it as a favor. "Would you do me a favor, this will really help me, please sit in my chair for a moment, no really, please." After the initial reluctance he will settle into the chair. Then ask him in a jesting way, "Whudyathink, it's a nice chair, huh?"

A notary public is a public official, appointed by the state government, who serves the public by serving mainly as an impartial witness. In most states, the Secretary of State appoints them and they serve as an official representative of the state or county government. Their main function is to protect against fraud, usually by witnessing and signing of official documents.

When serving as a witness to the signing of an official document, a notary public has three main duties. First, in many instances, they must check the true identity of the people signing the document. This usually includes checking their driver's license or other identification materials. Secondly, they check to see if they are truly willing to sign the document. They ask question to make sure the person isn't sign under duress or due to intimidation. Finally, they make sure they understand the basics of the document they are signing. Additionally in some cases, a notary public may take a sworn oath from the person about the truth of the information in the document.