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It has been discussed for a long time but now the long-awaited changes to the security clearance process are here.  An Executive Order (EO) was signed by the President on Apr

Financial stress is one of the leading causes of divorce, and divorce increases financial strain by splitting income and assets into two separate households. So, it’s no surprise that divorce often follows bankruptcy or vice versa. Unfortunately, when marital stress is coupled with financial stress, decisions about how best to address the more practical issues are often influenced by emotion. Too often, that leads to faulty decision-making that comes back to haunt one or both partners.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” 

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life is hectic. It seems like we are always busy. We have jobs. We have family obligations. We have meetings to attend, shopping to do, clothes that need to be cleaned and a never-ending string of chores that need to be completed. With all of this going on it is hard to find time for ourselves. Time to rest. And when an opportunity does come along to do so, our natural impulse is to find a comfortable couch and seize the moment!  

We often get asked what at face value seems like a relatively simple question: how many times can you file bankruptcy? There is no hard-and-fast rule limiting the number of times an individual can file for bankruptcy protection. However, there are limitations and practical considerations that effectively limit the number of times a person can benefit from consumer bankruptcy.

Whether you’re contemplating bankruptcy or have a bankruptcy in your past and are concerned about its impact on your credit, it can be very difficult to separate myth from fact. In part, that’s because both bankruptcy and credit management can be stressful, increasing the tendency to believe the worst-case scenario. In addition, much of the mythology surrounding bankruptcy and credit is partially true or has some basis in fact.

While every situation is different, here is some fact-based information about bankruptcy and credit to help dispel the myths.

It’s no secret that collection agencies, debt buyers, and other debt collectors don’t always play fair. Most people who have been through a financial crunch and fallen behind on their bills have had at least one bad experience with a debt collector who lied, shouted at the debtor, made outrageous threats, or otherwise attempted to trick or bully him or her into compliance. Needless to say, dealing with debt collectors is never something people enjoy.

Many people facing foreclosure want to know whether bankruptcy can stop the foreclosure process and save their homes. The answer isn't a straightforward “yes” or “no”. Rather, it is something like "yes, possibly, but probably not exactly the way you mean, and it depends on your circumstances." The information below provides a general overview of how bankruptcy impacts foreclosure.

Both Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy provide powerful tools for people who are overwhelmed by debt. However, neither type of bankruptcy is a magical solution that puts an instant end to a debtor’s financial problems. In a typical Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, it takes about 4 to 6 months to receive a discharge. A Chapter 13 case is built around a repayment plan that lasts from three to five years.

Nobody is eager to file bankruptcy, and for some people struggling with debt there are other viable alternatives. For most people, doing nothing and hoping for the best is not a viable alternative. Still, it’s one that far too many people choose.

There’s no question that bankruptcy is a negative on your credit report. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case stays on your credit history for 10 years, and a Chapter 13 case for seven. It will come as no surprise that most creditors don’t love to see bankruptcy when they’re reviewing your credit report.

That said, the impact of a bankruptcy filing on credit scores differs significantly depending on your starting point—an important piece of the puzzle that is often overlooked when people offer generalized advice about bankruptcy and credit.