Recovering Your Credit After Bankruptcy

Not all bankruptcies are the same, and not all recoveries are, either. Your credit score can improve faster than someone else’s after bankruptcy depending on your financial behavior.

In Washington, you can help your credit recover faster with these financial tips:

• Keep your credit reports up to date. Check your credit reports to make sure all your information has been properly reported, such as debts you have resolved and accounts than have been paid off or closed. Report anything that isn’t accurate.
• Build bankruptcy protection. Make sure you fix the problems that landed you in bankruptcy in the first place. Create a budget, build up an emergency fund, and find new ways to save money.
• Pay bills on time. Bill-paying habits make up 35 percent of your credit score. Paying bills on time is the most effective thing you can do to raise your score.
• Use new credit wisely. Show creditors that you are in control of your spending by only utilizing a fraction of the amount available. Choose wisely when applying for credit.
• Apply for new lines of credit. In only 1 year after bankruptcy, you can apply for an FHA-insured home loan.
• You may qualify for a car loan very soon.

While it is true the event of filing a Bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for a while, you have to remember that it is just that — a report. It does not necessarily mean that you are unable to obtain credit. In fact, in many cases, the opposite effect occurs. Since you have taken care of past debts and been able to save money for the first time in a while, you will probably become more “credit worth” after the bankruptcy because you have taken care of your financial issues. However, how you handle your finances now will mean more to creditors than what has occurred in your financial past. The faster you improve your credit score, the faster you can recover.

Over the past 33 years, the Law Offices of Christopher A. Benson has helped more than 2,300 clients take control of their financial situation. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation to find out how we can help you and your family.

We will help you protect your wages, bank accounts, pay check and assets. The key is to take control of your situation. We can help you prevent lawsuits and cancel judgments. If you already have a garnishment, we can stop the creditor from taking your cash, suspend collection efforts against you and possibly acquire a refund for you as your lawyer and representative.