In the information age, we’re inundated with information about bankruptcy. Some of it accurate and much of it nonesense or worse.
Half the people who’ve filed bankruptcy wouldn’t dream of telling you about it, and those who do talk are as likely to spread outdated or erroneous information as accurate, relevant information.
The more you know about bankruptcy, the better you’re able to fix your debt problem. Yet bankruptcy is a tiny corner of the law, and most of us don’t think about law, much less bankruptcy law, until we’re in trouble.
So, here’s my list of other good sources of useful background on bankruptcy. If you’re here, I hope you’ll explore this site. There are 700 shortish posts explaining different issues that touch dealing with debt, written by a bankruptcy specialist with 44 years of experience.
Sources of sound information
Here are some online sources for basic background about bankruptcy.
- Surviving Debt by NCLC
- Understanding Bankruptcy by Nolo Press
- About Bankruptcy by NACTT
- Should I file for bankruptcy- NACBA
Personal bankruptcy stories
It’s tempting to look to others online for input on the big financial issues facing you. Be a cautious consumer of personal input from non-lawyers.
How a bankruptcy case plays out is a complex interaction between individual facts, differing goals, and the exemption law of each state. Until you know all of that about a poster, you can’t really tell if the input applies to you or not.
Further, some contributers to online forums are amazingly free at offering legal advice that is flat out wrong or dangerous. Make a note of their input, and check it out with an experienced bankruptcy attorney.
Bankruptcy myths abound
The best antidote to bankruptcy myths is reliable information. In the absence of good information, it’s easy to let the vacuum be filled with baseless fears. Don’t fall into that pit.
An experienced bankruptcy lawyer is well worth the expense. Unfortunately, bankruptcy law is considerably more intricate than it appears on the suface.
Do some reading, put your questions down on paper, then pick the brain of a bankruptcy lawyer. It’s the path to escape from debts you can’t conquer.
