Washington State Bankruptcy Lawyer

Who will know that I have filed for bankruptcy?

Is a Washington State bankruptcy private?

Talk to a Washington State bankruptcy attorney today!

Who will know that I have filed a Washington State bankruptcy?

A Washington State bankruptcy is a public record, but most people do not have access to the information unless they actually go to the bankruptcy court and look up your file.   It used to be that some small town newspapers would publish bankruptcy notices on slow news days.  But most newspapers do not do this anymore.

But you do need to give notice to all people you owe money to, or they may not be discharged, and you may be breaking the law if you do not list them.  Even if you want to keep a credit card, you will not be able to keep one through a bankruptcy.   If you owe a dentist or doctor, they may find out, if you owe them money.  But they will usually work with you if you want to pay them voluntarily and continue treatment.  A side note: hospitals are not allowed to deny you treatment on the basis of having filed a Washington State bankruptcy where they were a creditor.

In some cases, we will need to notify a client’s payroll department to stop a lawsuit garnishment, and if you make a chapter 13 plan payment, it usually comes out of your paycheck directly.  In very special circumstances, a chapter 13 trustee may allow you to pay directly, but there has to be a VERY good reason.

A lot more of your neighbors and co-workers are filing bankruptcy these days than you might think.  About 6,000 people a day last year filed bankruptcy in the U.S. This economy has been very hard on everyone, and decent, hardworking people just like you are having a rough time just getting by.  Your boss may have just filed a Washington State bankruptcy herself.   But it is her right, and your right, under the law to do just that.

How will filing a Washington State bankruptcy affect my future?

Your credit report will show a bankruptcy for 10 years. You may be asked on job applications or applications for rentals if you’ve filed a bankruptcy in the past.  With the sheer volume of people filing bankruptcy in the past few years, millions of people will be answering yes to that question, so it will be very common for employers and landlords to see bankruptcies and poor credit on applications.  In those cases, you will want to take the opportunity to explain the circumstances.   You also will have the chance to get a fresh start, and rebuild your credit.

A history, after your Washington State bankruptcy, of making timely payments on any new loans will go a long ways.  You will be able to get credit again.  We have many Washington State bankruptcy clients that get credit offers before their cases are even over.  The FHA will allow you to get a home loan 2 years after a chapter 7 bankruptcy, so long as you have income enough to afford the house.