How To Control The Narrative During Your Las Vegas Bankruptcy Case

There is a stigma around declaring bankruptcy, even if the circumstances causing it were outside the debtor’s control. And unfortunately, bankruptcy filings are public record, leaving the debtor little privacy or confidentiality. Most people don’t peruse these in their free time, but if someone you know likes to nose their way into others’ business, news of your bankruptcy filing could become common knowledge among your social circle. If you need the protections that bankruptcy offers but anticipate others becoming aware of it, there are certain steps you can take to get ahead of the gossip. Read on to learn more about our office’s tips on controlling the narrative in a chapter 13 or chapter 7 bankruptcy case in Las Vegas. To discuss your potential case with an experienced Nevada bankruptcy lawyer, call 702-370-0155 today. 

Don’t Put Off a Bankruptcy Filing For Too Long

One of the best ways to maintain control of your bankruptcy case is by filing before it has become an emergency situation. When creditors sell debts and debt collectors come looking for you, friends and family may unnecessarily become aware of your circumstances. If your creditors repossess assets, file lawsuits against you, etc., neighbors could see notices on your door or realize when your car is gone from your driveway. If you plan your filing before it gets to this point, you can strategize it to get the most out of bankruptcy. If you are unsure about whether you need to file now or have time to plan, you should discuss your situation in greater detail with a dedicated bankruptcy lawyer. You can schedule your free phone consultation with our Las Vegas bankruptcy firm today at 702-370-0155

Assess Who Is a Gossip Liability

There are some people who can’t resist spreading private information shared in confidence to others because of the quick rush and temporary sensation of being interesting that it gives them. You might need to decide whether it is more important to receive emotional support from your friends and family during your bankruptcy, or improve your odds of keeping your filing private by keeping the news to yourself. You know best who you can trust with a secret. Don’t assume that a friend who is typically a gossip will create an exception due to the sensitive nature of a bankruptcy filing. 

Check Out Which Information Is Available For Yourself

The best way to know what others might be able to learn about your bankruptcy filing is by checking it out for yourself. You can search for your case in the court docket and see which types of documents and filings are publicly available, which require additional payment to view, and which are completely confidential. When you know what’s out there, you know exactly how much others can potentially know about your case. This can help you prevent yourself from accidentally saying too much to those who are already aware of your filing. 

Find The Silver Lining

Filing for bankruptcy is not the financial death sentence that many believe it to be. In fact, several of our country’s presidents have filed for bankruptcy protection before getting to the Oval Office. Filing for bankruptcy protects you from creditors, clears burdensome debts, and may even give you a chance to improve your credit history. This can eventually lead to better financial opportunities in the future. Keep this in mind when deciding what you want your attitude to be about bankruptcy. If you hold your head high and find the positive in what others may see as a negative situation, you might encourage them to change their point of view as well. 

Avoid Lapses In The Automatic Stay

The Automatic Stay is the legal provision that is a primary reason that many people file for bankruptcy. It is why some call it “filing for bankruptcy protection.” The automatic stay highly restricts creditors’ options while the debtor’s case is active. Allcreditors receive a notification from the court when someone who owes them money  declares bankruptcy. This lets them know that they must comply with the automatic stay, and puts them on notice of the upcoming 341 Meeting of Creditors. Unless a creditor files a motion for relief from the Automatic Stay which is granted, the creditor can’t pursue debt collection while the stay is in place. Wage garnishments, lawsuits, foreclosures, repossessions, and other forms of collection all must stop while the automatic stay is in good standing. The creditor can’t even call the debtor to ask them questions about their balance once they have retained a bankruptcy lawyer. But all of this protection can end if a bankruptcy case is dismissed, even temporarily. 

The automatic stay generally lasts from when a case is filed to when it is discharged. But not every bankruptcy case ends in discharge. A case can also be dismissed, which ends the protection from the automatic stay. The debtor might have an opportunity to re-file their case, but a vigilant creditor may have already proceeded with collection during the lapse in the automatic stay. If this is a one-time collection effort, such as a repossession, the debtor may no longer have an incentive to file for bankruptcy. When things like this happen, you might have to explain your financial situation to people who otherwise would have no clue. 

There are several factors that could cause a debtor’s case to dismissed, and in turn, cause them to lose the automatic stay protection. Many of these issues can be identified and avoided with guidance from an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. Some of the most common reasons that bankruptcy cases are dismissed include:

  • The debtor failed to submit supporting documents for their petition in a timely manner
  • The debtor failed to attend their 341 Meeting of Creditors or bring the proper forms of identification to verify their identity
  • The debtor requested an installment plan for their bankruptcy fees and failed to make payments
  • The debtor failed to complete their credit counseling courses or file the course completion certificates in court
  • The debtor fails to make payments as per their chapter 13 payment plan 
  • The debtor is ineligible for bankruptcy (either the chapter filed or bankruptcy in general)

Hire a Reputable Firm That Will Keep Your Case Under Control from Start to Finish

There are endless moving parts in a bankruptcy case, whether you file for chapter 7 or chapter 13. It is difficult for an individual who is not an attorney specifically practiced in bankruptcy to be aware of these moving parts and how they interact. But the court doesn’t care about an individual’s ignorance of bankruptcy law when making rulings about a case. The best way to ensure that your case runs smoothly, and that you can control the narrative in your filing is by retaining experienced Las Vegas bankruptcy lawyers. Knowledge and experience makes all the difference in executing a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy filing in Las Vegas. Let us put ours to work for you so you can turn around your financial situation with a clean slate. We offer competitive rates and payment plan options starting as low as zero dollars down. Learn more with your risk-free consultation today at 702-370-0155

Las Vegas Bankruptcy Lawyers Logo

Las Vegas Bankruptcy Lawyers

LAS VEGAS
7251 W Lake Mead BLVD #300
Las Vegas, NV89128
Office: 702-879-2499
Email: [email protected]

HENDERSON
1489 W Warm Springs Rd. Ste 110
Henderson, NV 89014
Email: [email protected]

Additional Information at:
Phoenix Bankruptcy Lawyer
Phoenix DUI Lawyer
Chandler Bankruptcy Lawyer
Vegas Zero Down Bankruptcy Attorney
Gilbert Bankruptcy Lawyers
Arizona Zero Down DUI
AZ Bankruptcy Lawyer