If a Mississippi resident is having trouble paying down his or her debt, it may make sense to think about filing for bankruptcy. By taking this step, an individual can obtain a stay of creditor contact and certain actions such as wage garnishment. However, the bankruptcy will be noted on a credit report and stay there for up to 10 years for those who file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Tax debt and bankruptcy
Mississippi residents who find themselves with debts they cannot afford to pay have the option of voluntary bankruptcy. A voluntary filing means that a debtor chooses to file for bankruptcy without being petitioned to do so by a creditor. While bankruptcy can wipe out many types of debt, some debts are excluded. For example, taxes owed are often not allowed to be dismissed in bankruptcy. It all depends on what type of taxes, what type of bankruptcy and whether or not the taxes in question meet some very specific criteria.
Medical debt is a growing problem among younger people
Injuries and illnesses too often impose financial hardship on people in Mississippi. In addition to the physical pain, medical bills quickly absorb savings and force people to use their credit cards. The Commonwealth Fund reported that about one-third of consumers used credit cards for medical bills in 2014. For 44 percent of these people, that act produced a negative result on their credit scores. Younger people in the Millennial generation have begun to feel the pinch as well. A survey of Millennials in 2016 found that 74 percent of respondents had unpaid medical bills.
5 common reasons people file for bankruptcy
Financial calamity is sometimes unavoidable. Unfortunately, something may happen in your life that leaves you struggling to make ends meet. If you are racking up debt and are considering filing for bankruptcy, you are not alone. Millions of people declare bankruptcy in America every year.
How to make a financial recovery from bankruptcy
People in Mississippi who are considering bankruptcy might wonder if they will be able to recover financially. One study by Lending Tree found that three years after a bankruptcy, people applying for a mortgage without a bankruptcy on average only paid about 19 bps less than those with a bankruptcy. Two years after a bankruptcy, around 65 percent of people had brought their credit score up to 640 or more.
