J stands for Justify in my Bankruptcy Alphabet. Or rather, it stands for “no need to Justify” your decision to file bankruptcy.
Those considering bankruptcy imagine the first meeting of creditors as an inquisition by the trustee.
They fear that they will have to justify their choice of bankruptcy and that the trustee could disallow bankruptcy relief if he isn’t satisfied.
Not so. No one gets to sit in judgment over your decision to file bankruptcy.
There’s no need to have a certain amount of debt nor to have tried for any period to pay the debt.
There are laws about whether the debtor gets a discharge, and laws about what property the debtor is entitled to keep.
But no laws say you have to be insolvent, or delinquent , or even entitled to a discharge in order to file bankruptcy.
There is no requirement that you be “worthy” or that the decision be sound, or your misery deep enough to file.
It’s Just your call.
Jay Fleischman thinks “J” is reserved for him in the bankruptcy alphabet.
More
The entire Bankruptcy Alphabet
Should bankruptcy be a last resort?
Image courtesy of Muffet.
Good word! The requirement that you justify your need for bankruptcy is still easily one of the top ten myths about bankruptcy.