31 Jul Bankruptcy Isn’t The Source of Stress
My friend Jay Fleischman is on point that our clients filing bankruptcy are stressed.
Let me suggest that the cause of the stress is not “filing bankruptcy” but 1) the situation that lead to the decision to file; 2) fear of the unknown, fueled by bad information and unsupported assumptions about the process; and 3) self inflicted moral judgments.
Debts cause stress
Unmanageable debt is enormously stressful, and most people struggle mightily before even considering filing bankruptcy.
They suffer with a situation that is beyond them for months or years before seeking professional advice. They are stressed before I ever see them.
Bankruptcy seems like more stress
Clients know what is it like to be in debt; they don’t know how “bankruptcy” operates.
They assume that it has to be as painful and shameful as their present situation. Then they go on the internet to do some “research” and find bad, incomplete or simply inapplicable information, and they fret some more.
Not paying your debts
Finally, most clients want desperately to pay back what they owe.
When they acknowledge they simply can’t do so, they beat themselves up mentally as failures.
Bankruptcy discharge can energize
Bankruptcy lawyers keep a running list of famous people over the centuries who have filed bankruptcy. Most were successful again after their bankruptcy filing.
Forgiveness of debt is just as empowering as other forms of forgiveness. It frees the debtor from stress, distraction, and worry.
I tell clients they can make themselves feel as bad as they want to about filing bankruptcy, but it isn’t necessary or right.
They usually come around to my way of thinking.
Cathy Moran helps individuals and small businesses in Silicon Valley with their bankruptcy issues . She can often be found on Google+ and on Consumer Ledger, where she shares information about consumer protection issues and personal finance.
Image courtesy of Flickr and Eltman.
Cathy Moran, Esq.
Latest posts by Cathy Moran, Esq. (see all)
- Can You Afford The Cost Of Waiting? - November 10, 2013
- Lost IQ: The True Cost Of Just Paying The Credit Card Minimum - October 10, 2013
- Getting Rid Of Tax Liens After Bankruptcy - September 10, 2013
- Why The Information You Give Your Bankruptcy Lawyer Has A Sell-By Date - August 27, 2013
- Super Heroes Fight Debt - August 10, 2013
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.