When experiencing financial difficulty, it is not uncommon for people to take their situation personally and feel that they have somehow failed. The truth is that often factors outside of our control can affect us in ways that negatively affect our financial well-being. When people who cannot keep up with their debts file for bankruptcy, it does not represent a failing, but a responsible decision that allows them to legally discharge or restructure their debts. To determine whether bankruptcy could help you, you should contact a St. Louis bankruptcy lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
According to a paper recently published by two law professors, how you conduct yourself in bankruptcy court can affect whether a repayment plan is approved or not. The research indicates that petitioners who apologize are more likely to receive a favorable ruling from a judge. The researchers gave judges hypothetical Chapter 13 scenarios, some with and some without apologies. The debtors who apologized were more likely to have their repayment plans approved and received much more discretionary sympathy from judges. According to the paper, people who apologize are seen to have acted less intentionally and are blamed less for their misconduct. This research comports with other studies that focus on the effect of apologies between litigants where there is a clear victim.
Clearly, no one wants to file bankruptcy, but in some cases, it is the most responsible course of action a person can take. Depending on your circumstances, a Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy may be able to help you get back on your feet. The moment you file bankruptcy the collection efforts stop, and you come under the protection of the automatic stay, halting any pending litigation efforts to collect on debts.
Contact a St. Louis bankruptcy attorney today for a free consultation
If you are having trouble with your finances, you should contact a St. Louis bankruptcy lawyer for a free consultation. The Westbrook Law Group practices exclusively in the area of bankruptcy law and is has helped hundreds of clients start over through bankruptcy. In order to schedule a free consultation with bankruptcy attorney Brent Westbrook, call our office today at (636) 493-9231 or fill out the contact form available on the right side of this page.
