Gurnee Bankruptcy Lawyer States That Bankruptcy Is Public Record

As a Gurnee bankruptcy lawyer, I am asking time and time again if the names of people who file under Chapter 13 published are published in the newspaper.  Filing a Chapter 13 is public record, and it is available through computer systems throughout the country.  The mere fact that you filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will also be reflected on most credit reports.  However, don’t let the fact that it is public record and the fact that it can be published on a credit report discourage you from taking advantage of this federal law.  Chapter 13 is a great way to save a home from foreclosure, to repay a vehicle that’s owed money, and to otherwise reorganize unsecured debt.  Newspapers typically will not print the names of people who file for bankruptcy.  The public record factor is available on certain computer systems that list people who file bankruptcy cases.  However, your neighbors typically will not find out about your bankruptcy, your employer will not find out about your bankruptcy, and your friends will not know that you filed for bankruptcy.  

I tell my clients to look at the upside to filing for bankruptcy.  Look at the ability to get out of debt and possibly repay less than what’s owed over a period of three to five years with very little interest.  Think about the future when you no longer have the debt.  Don’t worry so much that it’s going to be public record and that it’s going to hit your credit report.  You will get offers for credit again when your Chapter 13 case is completed.  You do have the ability to refinance or get auto financing while you’re in a Chapter 13 as long as you ask for permission from the bankruptcy court.  In my experience, the bankruptcy court has been very lenient in allowing debtors to get credit for reasonable items, such as vehicles and possibly refinancing debt, such as mortgage debt.  

If you are someone who is concerned about filing Chapter 13 and you’re worried about how it’s going to affect your life and your credit, please consult with a local Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney, who can sit down with you one-on-one and help you come up with the plan that will help you get out of debt once and for all.