Biggest problems post bk

[mankind]

I have been thinking about Bk for quite some time. I've been hesitant to do it and have run up an additional $12,000.00 in debts to keep current on my cards but now I am reaching a tipping point.

I'm just not sure if it's the right thing to do.

What are some of the biggest problems you all faced post BK? I know it will be difficult to obtain credit of course.

My main concerns are maintaining/finding employment(government job), insurance, and ability to rent an apartment.

Are these things that have presented problems for you all?

If so how did you deal with them?

Thanks

[Flaminblonde]

I am in the middle of filing right now. I TOO am Civil Service...my Husband is Civil Service. Unless you are working a job that requires you to have some sort of special security clearance, unlike the regular clearance you pass to get a job CS, than I would say no. I know from reading that they can't deny or fire you because of filing bankruptcy. According the the federal RULES. Now...if you needed top secret clearance of some sort...it MIGHT hinder it. As we CS ppl know, HIGH security clearance and GOOD credit...go hand in hand. But there are still ways around that.

Here's what I found:

Q: Can I be fired for filing bankruptcy?
A: No, if your employer finds out about your bankruptcy, it is against federal law to discriminate against someone for filing bankruptcy.

One thing to keep in mind...Perhaps this nations greatest president and founding father, Thomas Jefferson filed for bankruptcy not just once, but several times to eliminate the accumulation of his huge debt. Filing bankruptcy is better put into perspective when you know that a man of Mr. Jefferson's foresight and intelligence could repeatedly get himself into financial trouble. Did you know that when he died...he had more than 100k in debt....a sizeable enough figure in today's economy but a staggering sum in the 1820s. Could you imagine what that would figure into today's dollars? I'd hate to even think about it! LOL And that's AFTER filing more than once!

Maybe he didn't learn his lesson....but that's where we come in. Time to step up to the plate! LOL

Good luck with your filing! Wishing all well!

Hugs!

[mankind]

Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement.

I'm currently a state employee and don't require a secret clearance. I actually had one while I was in the Army and I know the one thing that caused problems was having lots of debts that were in default and not being truthful about it.

I've been doing my best to pay my bills and in the process have run up a credit card on which I am an AU to the tune of $12,000.00. So even if my other cc are discharged I will have a large debt to pay back. Thats why I desperately need to keep this job.

My problem is after I left the Army I couldn't find a decent job. Even with a Master's degree and Army experience I was earning only about $23,000.00/yr. It took me 2 years to find this job.

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

[Flaminblonde]

From what I read about being an AU, If the credit cards were in your wifes name only and YOU were authorized to use the cards, then YOU are known as an "authorized user." This means you were given authority by a primary cardholder (her) to make charges to your account without any liability. If the cards are in both your names, then you are a co-signer and you share the responsibility. Thus, if you signed the credit applications together, your bankruptcy will show up on the section of her report that is public record and you both are legally responsible for that debt even if it's only you filing.

However, if you are an authorized user, and if the debt was incurred in a community property state, then from a legal perspective it is your shared obligation. If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington or Wisconsin, creditors could pursue both of you.

Often, however, they don't. Most of the time when there is only one applicant, the creditor does not even know about the spouse or doesn't want to take the trouble to collect from someone who is not directly associated with the account.

If you're an authorized user on the account, the payment history can be reported on her credit report, but you don't have a legal obligation to repay the debt. Not being responsible for the debt doesn't mean that her credit score and credit history won't take a hit.

As the primary cardholder, your wife can remove you as an authorized user on the account. She should make this request in writing to the credit card company and you should make sure that the change shows up on your/her credit report prior to you filing any bankruptcy petition. This will help when it comes time for WHO OWES WHO...

I hope this helps. I'm not GURU like Todd or HHM...but this is only from what I have read. You can YAHOO! or Google alot of this stuff and find SOOOO much information.

Anyhow...I hope it eases your mind.

Hugs!

[mankind]

Actually my mother got me the card because it was initially 0%.

I have to keep making payments because my mother is in deep financial trouble as well.

[Minnymouth]

Mankind,
Try to keep all your posting on one thread if possible.
I have seen where you have started 4-5 different threads regarding the same issue. It helps to reply and answer under the same thread, then we can follow whats going on with your problem and help if we can.

Minny