Refusing to discuss bankruptcy might feel like the right choice, but it can cost you your home, personal property, retirement, and peace of mind. In my Philadelphia bankruptcy and debt negotiation practice, I regularly meet clients who are reluctant even to talk about bankruptcy. Sometimes, they have heard horror stories or read misleading information. Other times, they believe that filing for bankruptcy means that they have failed, regardless of the cause of their difficulties. Their emotions prevent them from looking at options that may be crucial to getting their finances back on track and securing their families’ futures.

Stop Digging and Ask Questions

Time and again, people experiencing financial difficulties drive themselves deeper into debt by paying one creditor with another in a futile attempt to ward off bankruptcy. Even worse, I have witnessed hard-working people use up assets that might have been saved in bankruptcy, such as money in retirement accounts and the equity in their homes. If they had consulted with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer earlier, they might have retained their retirement assets and other property.

Over the long run, refusing to consider all of your options can be more costly than you know.

Look At All Options

With so much on the line, it is crucial to keep an open mind when discussing your financial problems with your bankruptcy attorney. No one should file for bankruptcy without discussing alternatives, such as debt settlement, foreclosure defense, etc.

Likewise, refusing to discuss all options with your attorney, including bankruptcy, leaves you with only part of the information you need to make an informed decision. If you are in serious financial difficulty, it is essential to understand all of your options. For that reason, your attorney should discuss all viable solutions with you, such as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt settlement, including the benefits and drawbacks of each option. An informed decision is more likely to be the right decision.

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