Published on: 13 February 2021
Last Updated on: 26 December 2024
The aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic saw a string of businesses file for bankruptcy. The United States saw many B2B businesses including, FTK Worldwide (Jewellers), Contact Transport (Logistics and Supply), and others opt for the bankruptcy route.
Legal experts are of the opinion that no two bankruptcy cases are the same. They differ in terms of their exposure, risks, legalities, and the court judgment. Even if two companies file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, their judgments and orders can be different.
In this article, we speak to a leading bankruptcy Birmingham law firm that specializes in these issues. we ask them about some important things businesses and their owners need to keep in mind before filing for bankruptcy.
List of Important Things you need to know before Filing for Bankruptcy
1. Chapters 7 and Chapter 13 are Important for Individuals and Businesses
Legal experts suggest that solopreneur ventures and sole proprietorships that are individual-centric should go for filing bankruptcy under Chapter 7. This puts a stay to debt and credit obligations and allows individuals to even retain control over their property.
Businesses that are well-established should opt for Chapter 11. This helps in keeping the business entity alive and allows for a payment restructuring plan that works to ensure complete repayment over a period of three to five years.
2. Hiring Legal Help is of High Importance
It is important to understand that individuals or businesses looking to file for bankruptcy should always avail of expert legal help. If you are trying to use Google to do all the paperwork, you might get into serious trouble in the near future.
Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complex and technical. In particular, Chapter 7 allows liquidation of debt to take care of financial obligations and absolve the individual from repayment. All collection attempts must stop. Subsequently, a bankruptcy trustee collects non-exempt valuable assets and sells them to pay off debt. The law discharges eligible debts, such as credit card loans, medical bills, and old utility bills. So, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you fend off the debtors, and work with the courts and the banking institutions. At the end of the day, you do not want criminal proceedings to be initiated by any of the parties.
You can hire an expert in your area, such as a Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer’s job is to help you overcome debt, so they’ll guide you through the process by offering advice or assisting you in filing for bankruptcy protection.
3. Bankruptcy does not mean All Debts go away
If you were under the impression that bankruptcy is going to help you walk away scot-free think again. Legally, the following are some areas where bankruptcy will not be able to help you-
Alimony Payments
Student Loans
Taxes on Luxury Items
Taxes
Child Support Payments
All the above-mentioned areas and payments are not something that the court can give you relief from. If you miss your payments or taxes, new legal cases can be brought up against you in a court of law. The punishment and legal repercussions for the same will be different.
For this reason, it’s a must to talk to an experienced attorney and a personal financial advisor who can help you determine other options for addressing these problems. Social workers and community leaders can also help. The government and private sectors offer programs for citizens needing financial and social support services. They’ll help you get through difficult times, so don’t hesitate to consult them.
4. Your Credit Score will get Affected Post-Bankruptcy
According to leading legal experts, ten years is the period where your credit score will carry the blemish of your bankruptcy declaration. If you are looking to get loans or credit during the period, the same might get very difficult. You need to be prepared to address the credit score.
Some lending companies may offer you a personal loan. But the interest rates are high. You can take the risk to recover gradually from poor credit standing. However, you’ll have to make sure that you pay your loan on time.
Fortunately, there are some professional services that have come up in recent years that can help you improve your credit score within a short period of time. If you want to get back in the game, you can always avail of such services.
5. Bankruptcy can help you give Yourself a Fresh Start in Life and Business-
It can be stated that most businesses that suffered because of the pandemic did so for no fault of their own. In such instances, legal experts suggest that bankruptcy can be a sound tactical and strategic decision that can be taken by businesses and individuals.
Banks, lending institutions, and even the judges that will be hearing the case are already aware of the drastic and negative economic fallouts of the pandemic. In fact, there have been cases, where the banks have discussed with lenders and worked out a positive restructuring plan to help individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic.
The Bottom Line
Filing for bankruptcy can probably the single hardest decision you would have to take in your entire life. However, rather than make the decision an emotional one, it is best to exercise reason and proper judgment and take help from an experienced legal attorney to find your way.
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Debt consolidation has become a very common practice in the modern world. Financial advisers encourage people to take this approach especially if you want to become debt-free. Always go for a credit card loan during emergencies and look for means and ways of clearing it fast. Credit cards loans only assist you because you get them very fast. However, they come with more disadvantages the benefits to the borrower. At this point, consolidating all your credit card loans into one big but cheaper loan becomes a necessity.
Importance of Debt Consolidation:
Debt consolidation loan refers to taking out a personal loan that is equivalent to the sum you owe on your high-interest credit cards. After you use the loan to pay off the credit card, you must now pay back the lender that extend the loan to you. If you can find a personal loan with a low-interest rate, you will be saving money in repaying your credit card debt. Lower interest rate means that you can pay off your credit card debt and become debt-free faster.
How Debt Consolidation Works:
Many online personal loan lenders offer a loan amount of up to $35,000 to more than $100,000. The loan amount that you get approved will depend on whether you have the income to pay back. Once you are approved of the loan, they may send you a check or direct deposit the amount into your bank. You can then use the funds to pay back the credit card debt yourself. Some lenders can help you to submit the payment to your preferred credit card companies. In this case, you have to tell them what lenders to submit the payment and the amount to submit for each lender.
Read More: Top 5 Types Of Startup Business Loans
Other benefits of Debt Consolidation:
Now that you can afford to pay back the loan, you must be diligent in making the repayment every month. In this way, your credit score will be build-up by the time you finish repaying the loan. You should check your credit report prior to applying for a personal loan use for the purpose of debt consolidation.
The debt consolidation loan could also help to extend your loan term and reduce the monthly payment. Making a minimum payment on the loan means that you are only paying the interest rate. The actual amount you owe will remain the same in this case. This option is ideal for people who have limited income and need help in repaying the loan.
The lender will review your credit profile and financial documents when deciding whether to approve the loan. It is easy to get a low-interest debt consolidation loan when you have a good/excellent credit score. In addition, you also must have a low outstanding debt to qualify for a low-interest rate. The length of repayment will also affect the interest rate. Longer repayment term causes you to pay a higher interest rate.A debt consolidation loan can consolidate your credit card debts into a single monthly payment. Before that, you have to remember different due dates from different credit cards to make sure you promptly submit the payment to the credit card company. It is easy to miss a payment when you have multiple due dates to remember. Now, you just have one repayment date to remember. This ensures that you will always remember to make the repayment on time.
Read More: How To Get An Auto Loan At A Low-Interest Rate
Conclusion:
It’s a nice move to consolidate all your credit cards debts into a single but less expensive loan. You will have a peace of mind from the single installment and reduced interest rates. You will also rebuild your credit history as you continue repaying the loan as long as you make timely monthly installments.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unforeseen hardships to a lot of entrepreneurs in Malaysia who launched their enterprises in the last couple of years. No one could have estimated the amount of damage to the economy the pandemic would cause or the length of time it would take to recover. The sign of a government loan is like fresh air in the business world, which swift away all your investment-related headaches.
However, there are government loans that you can apply for to help ensure your business survives and has a chance to prosper once the coronavirus has been conquered.
3 Tips For Applying For The Government Loans
The government loans strategy is more robust and well revised. You may be thinking of applying for the loan, but your business is not a big one. You think the government is not willing to lend money to your business. But it is possible.
Here are three easy tips for applying for a government loan.
1. Promoting The Small And Medium Enterprises
These government loan schemes are targeted to help the most financially vulnerable businesses, which are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are typically started by well-intentioned but underfunded people who want to put their particular skill-set to use. They might be launched with only a few employees.
Still, by careful management and conservation of their assets, they can grow to make a significant contribution to the state of Malaysia’s economy. The government loan schemes target businesses applying for lower loan totals than a giant corporation would need.
With the world beginning to see the value in micro-finance and recognize the healthy input of small businesses on a country's economy, the Malaysian government felt that with the effects of the pandemic likely to last for some time, it was the perfect time to offer these loans to the public. The small and the medium enterprises will need significantly less money as the loan, but the success chance is more.
2. Apply Through Existing Financial Institutions
To receive your working capital loan, you apply through an existing financial institution. These are not loans per se but rather government-backed loan guarantees under the Working Capital Guarantee Scheme (WCGS).
You receive the loan through the institution and pay them back directly. The government insures the institution against default. The financial institutes are taking a short period, but as you are now dealing with them, your debt payments period will rise.
Even if you’ve been turned down for a loan by the financial institution because you didn’t qualify under their terms, you can reapply under the terms of the WCGS government loan schemes. Government loans require more guarantees and the assurance of return. When you are applying through the existing financial institute, the process will take a small period for sanctioning.
3. Six Types Of WCGS
The diversity among the business is always present. Therefore, your proposal business planning everything can be different. There are six types of WCGS applying to different people and different kinds of business models. These schemes offer differing amounts of loans as well, so you should choose the scheme to apply for that meets your financial needs.
They each have different qualifications, and you need to read the qualifications of each loan scheme and choose the best one for your situation and business.
WCGS is a loan scheme that offers from 100,000 to 10 million Ringgit.
WCGS-SU is a loan scheme targeting startups that offer from 50,000 to 500,000 Ringgit.
WCGS-B is a loan scheme targeting Bumiputeras that offers from 100,000 to 3 million Ringgit.
WCGS-X is a loan scheme targeting export companies. It offers loans of from 100,000 to 10 million Ringgit.
WCGS-W is a loan scheme targeting Woman-owned businesses. It offers loans of from 100,000 to 1 million Ringgit.
ADGS is a loan scheme targeting companies that engage in automation and digital products and services. It offers from 100,000 to 10 million Ringgit.
To find out more about these government loan scheme’s qualifications, inquire about WCGS schemes with the financial institution that handles your banking.
Conclusion:
Applying for a government loan is making all your hard work easy. Usually, government loans have a low-interest level. The time limit is also going to be more stable. If you follow these tips, you can easily apply for a government loan and start your journey in a more relaxed way.
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Before entering into marriage, you and your soon-to-be lifetime partner should talk about finances. Both of you might have different ways of handling your finances.
Settling down and starting to grow a family is one big responsibility that both of you will share. One may be frugal and minimalist, while the other is the opposite. Your differences, if not taken seriously, like by discussing it, might cause a collision.
Just let me share one fact about what happens in marriage nowadays. Few are getting married. Many are getting divorced. And according to Forbes, one of the factors why couples end up divorcing is money issues. Unsettled issues!
It's not the main factor, but somehow, it contributes tension to the couple. And we don't want to let that happen to you. This article aims to help you understand what a couple should do in creating your budget.
Take this opportunity to know what couples should do in handling money. These best-picked tips will guide you in building your budget.
Vital Tips For an Effective Budget-
Communicate at all times:
Discussing financial matters is vital, and it's the only way to know each other, especially in handling money.
Let's face reality. Not all couples have the same spending habits. One might want to save more and choose to live a simple lifestyle, while the other might want the opposite.
As you can see, managing your finances contrasts with the other. With that scenario, both of you might encounter some financial struggles while building your budget goals.
Through proper communication, you can set things up with an open mind. But both should adjust each other's expectations. This way, you can organize everything and meet one's goal.
Remember, this isn't a simple game to win. It's a real-life game that both should work together as one.
Categorize your budget:
If both of you feel like your goals are somewhat overwhelming, you have to remember that you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.
By simply categorizing your budget, you can have a more exact path to follow. You can see which to prioritize and which is more necessary. Do it one step at a time.
As you continue to discuss things, one should jot down everything. This way, you won't miss or forget some information or idea.
Identify your household needs:
Both should identify your household needs. This way, it will become easy for you to categorize them. List them down. Afterward, you order them to either mandatory expenses, significant, nice, or unnecessary.
Don't forget to include your existing debts on your list. May it be a mortgage loan, credit card, other outstanding debts, car loans, utility bills, food, and other different personal needs.
After listing things, you can now identify which category it is.
Mandatory expenses and significant ones should be your top priority. The rest will be considered as your minor focus.
You might be wondering what mandatory expense is? In layman's terms, mandatory means something that obliges you to perform. That means "mandatory expenses" are something that obliges you to settle.
For instance, debts that should be settled fall to mandatory expenses. Whatever type of debt it is, it will be considered mandatory spending.
Settling debts might be overwhelming. Why not consider paying your debts in full using a personal loan from a licensed money lender Tampines? It's a form of debt consolidation. It merely means combining your debts into one.
For example, you consolidate all your credit card debts and pay them using a loan from moneylender woodlands. You settle your debts in total, with lower interest and one monthly payment.
If there's something you are paying because you need it, you can categorize it as a pressing need.
Important or significant things refer to your basic needs. Foods, clothing, water, electricity, internet connection, and the likes are your basic needs.
Nice things give you fun and convenience, but not that important. For example, car accessories, upgrading or changing phones, buying too many dresses. Everything's look nice but not necessary.
Unnecessary things are simply those that don't have value. For instance, you purchased an online subscription that you seldom use for leisure. It's a total expense that you don't benefit anything. And it only cost you money.
Spending money to buy trendy things, eat at a restaurant, and travel around is not bad. As long as you know to discipline yourself. You can never deprive your happiness in reaching your goals.
But if you want to achieve your financial goals faster successfully, you have to be patient. Always remember that it takes strong commitment and determination to do it. Saving more, spending less will help you a lot.
Set money goals:
Setting goals means taking in-depth planning. It is about creating a path towards your goal, guiding you on how to achieve it.
Achieving your money goals is not impossible as long as you make a well-thought plan. To make it happen, both of you must cooperate with your plan.
Visualize what both of you want to have. Both should be specific.
Let’s say you are dreaming of buying a condominium property. In what location? How big should it be? Would it be a two-bedroom or three-bedroom unit? Such questions show what particular property you dream of having.
Aside from being specific, you evaluate whether it is realistic and achievable in your current state. Your partner dreams of having a sports car. The question is, is it realistic to get such a thing based on both financial capabilities?
The next thing you must consider is the time-frame. Home property is expensive and needs a considerable amount of money. If you aim to buy one, you have to set a timeline.
Just say, after two to three years, you will buy your dream property for your family. Within those three years, both will have to work hard and commit to saving a part of your income until you reach your specific goal.
The mentioned tips above will be the most thoughtful way to start building your budget goals. Otherwise, the case can probably push you to sacrifice valuable things. You and your partner should evaluate your money flow before you decide.
Determine how much you earn:
The next thing you do after setting your goals is to determine how much earning you have. There are types of income that we make - gross and net income. Among these two, net income is what you are going to use in creating a budget.
Gross income is a sum of money before your taxes and deductions. In contrast, the net income is your take-home pay.
The question is, are both of you work as a salaried employee or not? If you are an employee paid hourly, your income would likely be stable.
But if you work seasonally, or you are self-employed, that means you earn irregularly. That said, you have to track your income section monthly.
Track your spendings by having a meeting:
You both need to track your spendings. You can do it daily, weekly, or monthly. But for couples who have just begun to create their budget goals, it is recommended to do it every day. You can eventually do it weekly or monthly.
You talk about where your progress is towards your budget goals. You check every spending you take on different categories and manage what's left.
You can do less work by using some financial apps exclusively designed for couples to organize and track finances. It gives convenience and, at the same time, can make your meetings shorter and more effective.
The Grand Debate – Joint or Single Account
Any newlywed couple's financial choice is whether to open joint or separate accounts.
Now, many might love the idea of sharing finances such closely, or while others might run away from the idea.
There is not wrong or right about having a savings account. It is all about advantages and disadvantages based on your relationship with money and each other.
Some like more autonomy when it comes to financial reasons!
However, you should decide upon assessing both the pros and cons of the matter!
When it Comes to Joint Accounts
Many couples opt to open joint accounts as a way to keep their finances simple. With a joint account, each partner puts their income into one account, making it easier to manage household bills and expenses and work together to reach their financial goals.
It also promotes transparency and trust, and as everything is out in the open, you and your partner will both be on the same page when it comes to spending money.
Joint accounts can also make it easier to achieve long-term savings goals such as buying a house or traveling.
However, you will need to communicate well because if you have different spending priorities, this could cause tension.
In terms of Separate Accounts
On the other hand, keeping separate accounts can help partners feel more in control of their finances. This is especially true if one tends to spend more on hobbies or interests.
With separate accounts, both individuals agree on how much money they will contribute toward shared expenses (like rent, groceries, and utilities) and what they’ll keep for themselves.
While this approach allows for independence, it requires open lines of communication and clearly defined expectations.
Are you ready to begin your financial journey?
Creating a budget has to be undergone through in-depth planning. Start-ups aren’t easy.
Both of you might face financial challenges along the way. However, with concrete planning, if both are committed to achieving the goals, nothing is impossible. Follow what you should do, focus, and get it one by one.
You should also consider discussing bank accounts, and other matters early on.
In the end, some couples find that sharing a hybrid approach works best for them.
This is where they have one joint account for shared expenses and then each maintain a separate individual account for their own personal spending.
This way both individuals get some level of independence with their finances while still maintaining financial transparency.
The most important part here is to communicate on a regular basis and adjust along the way to ensure both individuals’ needs are being met and goals are being achieved.
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It is important to understand that individuals or businesses looking to file for bankruptcy should always avail of expert legal help. If you are trying to use Google to do all the paperwork, you might get into serious trouble in the near future.
Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complex and technical. In particular, Chapter 7 allows liquidation of debt to take care of financial obligations and absolve the individual from repayment. All collection attempts must stop. Subsequently, a bankruptcy trustee collects non-exempt valuable assets and sells them to pay off debt. The law discharges eligible debts, such as credit card loans, medical bills, and old utility bills. So, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you fend off the debtors, and work with the courts and the banking institutions. At the end of the day, you do not want criminal proceedings to be initiated by any of the parties.
You can hire an expert in your area, such as a Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer’s job is to help you overcome debt, so they’ll guide you through the process by offering advice or assisting you in filing for bankruptcy protection.
If you were under the impression that bankruptcy is going to help you walk away scot-free think again. Legally, the following are some areas where bankruptcy will not be able to help you-
According to leading legal experts, ten years is the period where your credit score will carry the blemish of your bankruptcy declaration. If you are looking to get loans or credit during the period, the same might get very difficult. You need to be prepared to address the credit score.
Some lending companies may offer you a personal loan. But the interest rates are high. You can take the risk to recover gradually from poor credit standing. However, you’ll have to make sure that you pay your loan on time.
Fortunately, there are some professional services that have come up in recent years that can help you improve your credit score within a short period of time. If you want to get back in the game, you can always avail of such services.
