Certain times of the year, such as the winter holidays and your loved ones’ birthdays, can lend themselves to more credit card spending than you would undertake other times of the year. Summer may also seem like a tempting time to spend because it is a popular time to vacation.
However, if you are considering a bankruptcy filing, especially to the point that you have already spoken with a lawyer, be careful with your credit card spending. Some people think they can charge all they want on their cards, file and the bankruptcy will wipe the debt. This is not necessarily true, and it can be fraudulent to submit credit card debt that you incurred while knowing you would file.
You are under scrutiny
Whether it is a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 you end up filing, you are under scrutiny. The court may deny your request if there is evidence of cash advances, shopping sprees, vacations, wardrobe revamps and unusual spending patterns. Even charging a mere $25 or $100 at a time may seem suspicious if done frequently.
Even if you did not intend to file for bankruptcy at the time you incurred that debt, it can still seem suspicious.
You could be stuck with these debts
Sometimes, the court might approve your bankruptcy filing, but you could be stuck with the debts you incurred soon before filing. It depends in part on whether creditors decide to file a non-dischargeability complaint.
It can be hard to get by
If you depend on credit cards to pay for food and other essential bills, it is natural to wonder, “So, what am I supposed to do if I shouldn’t even use them now?” The good news is that you may be able to use your cards for basic living expenses, but to cover your bases, get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. This helps you better understand your options and to start a filing as soon as possible if one is appropriate.