You Are Not Alone
Bankruptcy.
It has such an ominous ring to it, doesn’t it? And when we use it in non-financial contexts, it’s always a really bad thing.
That’s why filing for bankruptcy can be such an emotional and difficult experience. You may feel embarrassed or like you have somehow failed. You may feel incredibly alone.
These are all normal feelings, but they should not prevent you from filing for bankruptcy if it is in the best interest for you and your family’s long-term financial health–especially when you realize that it’s not just you.
WHAT THE NUMBERS TELL US
Bankruptcy data shows us that nearly 1 million Americans file for bankruptcy each year. That means you probably live near someone who has been through this process, even if you don’t know it.
Men and women file for bankruptcy in roughly equal numbers, and slightly more married couples file than single people.
According to debt.com, it’s also true that most bankruptcy is not the result of poor money management. Instead, most people find themselves with large or numerous unexpected expenses that simply overtake their ability to pay them off.
THE TRUTH ABOUT BANKRUPTCY
The truth, then, is that filing for bankruptcy does not mean you are a bad person or poor at managing your adult life. It does not mean that you are singularly unable to handle your finances compared to your neighbors.
It does not mean you need to hide in shame and suffer for your debt in isolation.
Rather, bankruptcy is a financial option made available to people when life events that are often out of their control surpass their ability to meet their obligations. Of course it is not the most desirable situation, but it may be more responsible to choose bankruptcy than to try to avoid your creditors.
Moreover, a good bankruptcy attorney can help allay your anxiety by clearly explaining your options and guiding you through the process with compassion.
At the end of the day, embarrassment should not prevent you from doing what you need to do to get back in control of your finances. You are not alone, and you need not go it alone.
To get connected with a compassionate attorney at Tarkowsky & Piper, call us today at (419) 524-6682 or use our online form.