Blog Layout

Can You Redeem Your Credit Score Under Bankruptcy Chapter 13?

September 8, 2022

Nearly everyone has been in a situation where they had to borrow money, perhaps to cater to an unexpected expense or to make a huge purchase. Unfortunately, sometimes, things may not go as you expect, and you may find yourself overwhelmed with debt. In such a case, filing for bankruptcy may seem like the only way out. And one option is to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 13.
Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the court will develop a plan to repay your debts over a specific period. The best part is that your loan repayment will be interest-free.
Still, you may wonder how this step will affect your credit score and whether you can rebuild your credit after filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Learn about tips to reinvent your credit life post-bankruptcy.

Work On Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

The debt-to-income ratio represents the amount of your monthly income that you spend on debt repayment.
For example, suppose you earn a gross monthly income of $3,000, and $1,000 goes to debt payments. In that case, your debt-to-income ratio would be 33%.
The goal is to prove your financial discipline to future lenders by making regular, on-time payments and bringing down your overall debts.

Get a Secured Credit Card

A secured credit card is backed by a cash deposit that you make upfront, which serves as collateral if you default on your payments.
This deposit also limits your spending to the amount you can afford and helps prevent you from going into further debt. Approach your bank or any other financial institution and ask about their secured credit card options.
Most issuers report activity on secured cards to the major credit bureaus, so if you use the card responsibly, you can improve your credit score. Just make sure to keep your balance well below your credit limit, and make timely payments to avoid damaging your credit further.

Try a Credit-Builder Loan

A credit-builder loan is a special kind of loan where the lender holds the loan amount in a savings account.
You will need to make regular payments on the loan, and after you have repaid the entire amount, you will get access to the funds in the savings account, which can help build your emergency fund or be used for any other purpose.
Credit-builder loans are an excellent way to rebuild your credit score after bankruptcy because the loan helps you demonstrate a good repayment history to the credit bureaus.

Make Timely Loan Payments

Aim to show the court and the lenders that you are now a responsible borrower. Often, the best way to do so is to repay your debts per the court's guidelines. The commitment will go a long way to reinvent your credit score and help you qualify for future loans.
Set reminders to ensure that you do not miss any payments, and if possible, try to make payments ahead of schedule. Also, have a budget to ensure that you do not spend more than you can afford and end up in debt all over again.
Whether or not you can rebuild your credit score after filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy depends on your financial discipline and commitment to repay your debts.
If you have difficulty moving forward with your financial life after bankruptcy, you can count on us at Ozment Law. We are expert bankruptcy attorneys and will advise you on the best steps to take to improve your credit score. Contact us to schedule a consultation today. We will be happy to go over all your questions and concerns so you can recover your credit successfully and safely.

< Older Post Newer Post >