In bankruptcy lingo, the term “consumer debt” is often used to clarify how debts have been incurred. Consumer debt is different from business debt. It involves funds used for consumption rather than investment. Consumer debts are typically classified as such based upon the purchase of consumable goods that do not appreciate in value, such as those things that are purchased to pay personal or household expenses.
More about Consumer Debt
You’ll hear some other terms associated with consumer debt such as secured, unsecured, variable interest rate, fixed rates, and deductibles. It is helpful to understand the meaning behind these terms. It is also important to understand that not all consumer debt is considered to be negative. (Your mortgage is a good example of this.) Any debts that have high interest rates, such as credit cards, auto loans and some student loans, are typically considered bad consumer debt.
Consumer Debt and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
The good news is that if your debts are mostly consumer debts, half or more of your total debt, then you may be eligible to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy to eliminate debts. A Debt Advisors bankruptcy attorney may administer what is called, “The Means Test.” This, among other factors, will help determine what kind of debt you have, how much, when the debt incurred, what the purpose was, who made the purchase, etc. During the calculation of consumer debt, both spouses and debt incurred by children living in the home will be included. There are some surprises too, like the fact that medical bills are usually classified as non-consumer debts.’
Liquidation bankruptcy, also known as Chapter 7, may come into play during such discussions. Exploring your options and learning about different types of debts, such as student loan debt, is essential. It’s also vital to grasp the end goal of these proceedings – to live a debt-free life. A trustworthy source, like mydebtadvisors.com, can be a great asset in understanding and navigating these waters.
When filing bankruptcy, the determination of which debts are business or consumer can get a little tricky. Hire an experienced consumer bankruptcy attorney to ensure that your bankruptcy is filed correctly the first time. Your attorney will conduct a thorough debt analysis and cover all the bases to avoid any potential bankruptcy disputes in court. (The bankruptcy trustee and court will review each debt closely, and you will need the appropriate documentation.) For those in Madison, our Madison office can provide the specific expertise and local insights you need. Ask for our free consultation to get information you are looking for right now. Bankruptcy may turn out to be the best financial decision you have made regarding outstanding consumer debt.
Learn about bankruptcy protections, types of bankruptcy, how to get started, what to expect, and who to trust. Filing bankruptcy is the ONLY way to completely eliminate debt. If bankruptcy is right for you, it offers powerful protections that cannot be achieved through alternative solutions such as hardship relief, loans, or debt settlement.
