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Tuesday, June 18, 2019

By Dennis Patterson


Experiencing severe financial difficulties can be extremely stressful. When every phone call or letter seems to be a demand for payment many people simply do not know where to turn. They end up in this situation because they lost their jobs or they had serious unexpected expenses. Sometimes they are just plain irresponsible. When realizing that they cannot cope any longer, many consider applying for insolvency. However, when asking the court for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy Salinas residents should know that they are in for a rough time.

Many applicants think that being made insolvent will free them from all their financial problems. They cannot be more wrong. Being declared insolvent is a very serious step and the courts are extremely careful in these cases. They need to be sure that applicants are indeed in dire straits and to this end they always insist upon a means test to ensure that the applicant is in genuine financial distress.

Insolvency should at all times only be considered when all other options have been tried. It is a serious step and insolvent people struggle to get back on their feet. It is best to first approach the creditors and to try and negotiate a new payment plan. Most creditors will agree to this but the earlier they are approached the better. Many people may also qualify for loans that will allow them to pay their most urgent debts.

The process by which applications for insolvency is handled almost always involves humiliation and tremendous stress. The applicant has to submit to financial scrutiny and an inventory of all his assets must be handed to the court. His lifestyle will be examined and he may have to explain his expenditure and general financial management. This process takes time.

If the court agrees to hear an application, it will immediately appoint a trustee. The job of this trustee is to do everything possible to raise the money demanded by the creditors of the applicant. To this end he may confiscate all the assets of the applicant and sell them on an open auction. All the money thus raised will be distributed among the creditors.

Only when the trustee informs the court that he has done all that he can to pay the creditors of the applicant will a final discharge order be granted. This means that creditors will no longer be able to make any financial demands upon the applicant but it does not mean that the applicant is freed from all debt. Secured loans, taxes and spouse of child support payments still have to be honored.

It is a sad fact that many of those forced to apply for insolvency waited far too long before they took steps to deal with their financial difficulties. Many people live beyond their means even when they know that they should be scaling down. Others ignore their problems hoping that things will come right. Of course they never do. The best course of action is to seek professional help immediately.

The responsible management of their personal finances is a grave responsibility of every individual. When trouble looms, steps should be taken immediately. Insolvency is not a quick and easy answer. In fact, it often creates more problems than it solves.




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