How Bankruptcy Impacts Life in Ohio

Filing for bankruptcy may seem like an end-all for some Ohio families, as it marks financial instability. However, the reality is that bankruptcy doesn’t necessarily have to disrupt life in the long-term or at all. If you live in Columbus, central Ohio, or Franklin County, and you have fears about life after bankruptcy, this page is for you.

You filed for bankruptcy in Ohio for a reason.

The first concern for many after they file bankruptcy is that life will never be as it was before–but isn’t that the point? You filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy because you were in a state of financial distress. The end goal of bankruptcy, whether it is only a few months or a few years, is to rise above and move forward with life.

Though bankruptcy can become complicated, it does not have to be disastrous. In fact, if you work with a Columbus or central Ohio bankruptcy attorney such as The Jones Law Firm, you will come out of your bankruptcy filing better than ever before. After all, the point is to eliminate or reduce your owed debts. Bankruptcy can help.

You are unsure of what comes next.

Bankruptcy code can be complicated and make you feel uneasy about what choices you have in the process. Once you meet with our Ohio bankruptcy attorney, we will know more about your financial situation and what form of bankruptcy is right for you. Whether it is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, an attorney will be able to walk you through the process and make sure that your financial restart begins on the right note.

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both forms of Ohio bankruptcy, which is why meeting with an attorney is imperative. You may find that once you have a meeting with The Jones Law Firm, your uncertainties of the future go away. But it’s critical to meet with a bankruptcy attorney and not handle this alone, as you are more likely to have critical errors in your filing, making you more uneasy.

You don’t know how to regain control.

For some who undergo bankruptcy, you may feel like you’ve completely lost control. The reality cannot be further from the truth. Filing for bankruptcy is the first step to regaining control of your finances.

Once you file, you can refocus on employment, paying down debts, setting budget goals, and rebuilding your credit. These things don’t happen overnight, just like debts don’t compile all at once. It’ll take time to get yourself back into the financial status you want to have, but it is not impossible.

We can help you rebuild your credit, monitor your credit score, dispute issues within your credit report, and come up with effective solutions for your repayment plan.

You fear you’ll never get ahead.

We understand that for many in Columbus and central Ohio, you may feel like once you file bankruptcy, you’ll never be able to get ahead, but instead will have to continue on the path you’ve been on.

If you are able to make your payments and keep new debts down, you won’t have to spiral. In fact, in as little as two years, you may qualify for a loan on a home, or even a small line of credit to purchase a vehicle or other necessity.

Bankruptcy doesn’t fix the problem overnight. However, it does give you the opportunity to rebuild and save for your future.

You worry a cosigner on old loans will be responsible for your debts after bankruptcy.

Be it student loans or a car payment, chances are you have some debts that required a cosigner to take on. However, once you file for bankruptcy, while you may have been wiped clean of responsibility, you worry your cosigner will have to take it on.

There are only certain situations in which a cosigner could be found liable for your debts–and there are ways you can protect them and yourself to ensure that doesn’t happen.

When you begin the bankruptcy process, be sure to ask your attorney what steps you can take to protect your cosigner and move forward with the process.

You’re worried you’ll be discriminated against once you file.

It’s not uncommon that bankruptcy attorneys hear that clients fear they will be subject to discrimination once they file for bankruptcy. However, what they don’t often realize is that there are federal protections in place to ensure that does not happen.

Those who file for bankruptcy are protected from employment discrimination based upon their filing status, except in cases where a job requires a level of financial savvy. In addition, it is not discriminatory for a landlord to run a credit check on you and upon seeing your filing, decide not to rent out to you.

You don’t know who to turn to.

One of the biggest impacts bankruptcy has on life is finding someone you can trust with this very fragile part of you. But you don’t have to do it alone.

The Jones Law Firm is your Columbus and central Ohio bankruptcy attorney. We specialize in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings so we can help you find the best path to financial success. You may be struggling now, but you don’t have to forever.

The Jones Law Firm: Columbus, Central Ohio, and Franklin County Bankruptcy Attorney

Bankruptcy impacts your life for the better and we can help. When it comes to filing for bankruptcy in Columbus and central Ohio, you need to know what options are available to you. If you are facing debts you can’t pay and are considering bankruptcy, learn more about how The Jones Law Firm can help you or contact us for a free consultation about your options.