top 5 mistakes before filing bankruptcy

While it's a difficult decision to make, after going through your budget and realizing you can't pay off your debts before the year 3000, you decide to file bankruptcy. But what does it take to plan for a bankruptcy? Is there even such a thing? While there isn't a lot you need to do before filing, except speak to an attorney, there are some things you absolutely want to avoid to make your bankruptcy case as smooth as possible.


1. GIVING AWAY ANY PROPERTY

One of the biggest mistakes I see before people file bankruptcy is that sometimes they decide to sign the title over to their home or car to a friend or relative 'to protect it from creditors'. Not only won't this protect your property from creditors, but it could put those items at greater risk. In bankruptcy you have the ability to protect some personal property and real estate with state or federal exemptions to a certain extent, and if you cannot protect all of it in a Chapter 7, you can typically in a Chapter 13 case. Even if you don't file a bankruptcy, giving away your property to a family member or friend when you owe your creditors money can be completely set aside by those creditors. Instead, before you act rashly, contact an attorney to go over what you need to do with your big ticket items to ensure they are protected. If you want to see what could go wrong when transferring your property to someone else, check out Tiger King on Netflix.


2. SELLING PROPERTY

As a corollary to the first mistake, this isn't the time to start raising cash. This can present two problems: first, the sale might be closely scrutinized to determine if it was at fair market value. That could mean the trustee in your case contacts the buyer and sets the sale aside. Second, assuming you sell the property and it was exempt, converting it to cash may not protect it at all. Exemptions are different for each type of property. For example, you may be able to exempt thousands of dollars for your personal residence, but much less once it is sold, depending on the circumstance. So do yourself a huge favor – talk to an attorney first before you make any major moves.


3. BORROWING MONEY

If you're filing bankruptcy, now is not the time to borrow money. Why? It looks bad if you borrow on the eve of filing, especially if it's unsecured debt like a line of credit or a credit card. If you borrow money and then file bankruptcy right away, creditors may object to your discharge unless you exclude them from the filing. Moreover, what are you borrowing money for exactly, and where will that money go once it is borrowed? If it's going to buy food, that may not be as big of a problem as going to Disney World, but before you borrow a penny, talk to an attorney. As a corollary to this, don't co-sign on any debts, whether it's for your friend or family member. Not only could you put their co-signed collateral in jeopardy, it may make you chose between your relationship and getting a fresh start from your debt.


4. PAYING FAMILY, FRIENDS OR ASSOCIATES BACK

Borrowing before filing is one thing, but paying back your relative or your buddy who loaned you more then $600 could be a problem. Paying back an 'insider' as they are called, more than $600 in the prior year before filing means that the payment can be clawed back by the trustee and distributed to your creditors. Worse? You may feel morally compelled to pay them once your case is over, and then you'll wind up paying twice. Instead, let your friend or family member know you cannot pay this debt, or any debts and you are filing bankruptcy. Do you believe you must pay them back, no matter the consequences and you don't want the trustee to take this money from then? You can do that, but you're going to need to wait another year to file bankruptcy.


5. GOING ON VACATION

It's certainly not illegal to go on vacation before filing your bankruptcy case, but understand that your bank accounts may be subject to careful examination, and if they see you dropped $1500 to go to Europe a few weeks before filing, they might have reason to believe your case was not filed in good faith. Also, did you have to borrow money to go on that vacation? See number 3 above.


In summary, these are the top 5 things you don't want to do before filing bankruptcy. There are more than these above, but in general, if anything you're trying to do involves more than $600, stop, wait, and seek legal advice. Big moves arouse suspicion. Lay low, and you'll stay under the radar. For more information about proper bankruptcy planning, feel free to contact me.