During a recent bankruptcy hearing, one of our Charleston Chapter 7 trustees said, “I believe in life after bankruptcy.”  He said that to a very nervous debtor attempting to calm her nerves.

What the bankruptcy trustee said was not only true, but it was an act of kindness and sympathy.  Those of us who actually work in the bankruptcy system deal with real people with real problems.  We see the fear, the worry, the stress.  The people we help are not just nameless statistics.  And we all know that at one time or another, that could have been us.  But we also see the relief–the light at the end of the tunnel.  We see good people being made whole and, gradually, recovering their dignity.

I recently helped a man from Summerville file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Here’s his story:

In 2008 I had a great job bringing home a good paycheck. In October of that year the company decided to close. It was four months until I found another job making less than half of what I was making.  Then, four months later that company closed.  I was at the end of my rope and could not pay my bills.

While on the verge of losing everything, I had no where else to turn. I spoke with a friend who was an attorney. He said I should see a bankruptcy attorney.  Filing bankruptcy was a last resort, but after speaking to the attorney and laying out my financial situation for him, I realized that I really had no other options. I don’t think anyone wants to file bankruptcy, but for me there was no other way.

I would recommend that you do your homework during the process.  Make sure that when your attorney calls asking for documents you get those to him quickly and be as honest as you can with your attorney.  My hearing lasted  less than 5 minutes. I believe that was because I got my attorney all the documents he requested so he could get those to the trustee before the hearing.  I sat through quite a few hearings before I was called and can tell you that some people who were not so prepared had their hearings delayed for a month or better.

Related posts:

1. What to Expect at Your Bankruptcy Hearing
2. Where is the Bankruptcy Court in Charleston?
3. Bankruptcy Experiences #1