AS a Bankruptcy Attorney for the last 18 years, I have counseled thousands of individuals with all types of debt problems. A lot of these people often feel tired and hopeless as if there is no end in sight to their money problems. If you or someone you know has ever been in this situation, I understand what may cause you to feel that way.
But listen to me! I often encourage people by telling them that it is not too late to get a fresh financial start and that the law is on their side. Bankruptcy is not the end of everything you’ve worked hard for. It is actually protecting everything you’ve worked hard for.
Read that last sentence again. I believe it will help you a great deal in putting things in perspective if you are currently going through financial difficulties and have realized that you have no other choice but to file bankruptcy and start over. See, the protection provided by Bankruptcy is similar to the care that a sick person gets while recovering in a hospital. The goal is to help you get back on your feet again in the shortest time possible.
Yes, there are lessons to be learned in Bankruptcy. Those who find themselves in serious financial trouble when unexpected events in life occur such as sickness, disability or sudden employment, are immediately reminded of their vulnerability to life’s uncertainties. Life has its constant unexpected twists and turns, and you can never be sure of where you are going to end up at the next turn. Therefore, we should always be prepared for the unexpected.
To explain this point in a more practical context, let me ask you this question: How prepared are you for a sudden and unexpected financial crisis such as a loss of employment? Have you saved enough money to use as an “emergency fund” if you had to survive for a few months without any income? If you are your family’s “breadwinner”, remember that your loved ones are depending on you and your lack of preparation will cause them to suffer as well.
Now to those whose financial problems are self-caused more than anything else, the lesson to be learned is that it is never too late to change. If you believe you cannot change, you are either already perfect or just plain stubborn. A lot of people that I counsel openly admit that it was all their own doing and that their financial problems would not have gotten worse had they immediately nipped the problem in the bud at the first sign of trouble.
To put it quite bluntly, I am talking about those people who use credit irresponsibly by spending beyond their means with no regard for the ensuing consequences. I am talking about those who use credit without thinking, making decisions from the heart and not from the head. The tragic end result is usually a load of debt that cannot be paid even over a lifetime. There are a lot of people who need to keep a second job just to stay afloat and have enough money for food and rent. By getting into debt that they can’t afford to pay, these people have sentenced themselves to a lifetime of working for their creditors, never enjoying the fruits of their labor. Before they know it, they’re close to retirement age and they come to realize that they have not saved a penny for their later years.
Please don’t get me wrong. It is neither my intention to offend anyone nor is it my place to judge anyone. Whatever led you to your present situation no longer matters at this point. The question is: What will you now do from here? Regardless of your past, remember that your future can be different. The lesson to be learned in Bankruptcy on this point is that your past doesn’t have to be your future. Learn to forgive yourself for your past mistakes and don’t be too hard on yourself. Successful people are not people who have never failed in life but rather, they are people who have failed usually more than once, learned from their mistakes and moved on to accomplish the goals that they have set for themselves. Keep in mind that the road to success is not always a straight path.
If you need help in figuring out the best solution for your debt problems, I would like to help you. Please call my office at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772 to schedule an appointment. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos & Valencia.
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None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.
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