How Long Will a Bankruptcy Filing Impact Your Credit?
If you have opted for bankruptcy as a way to get your finances under control, you may be wondering how long the bankruptcy filing will remain on your credit report, and how long it will have an impact on your ability to obtain credit.
How long the bankruptcy will actually appear on your credit report depends on the type of bankruptcy you filed. With Chapter 7 liquidation, where you permanently discharge debts, your credit report will reflect the bankruptcy filing for 10 years. With Chapter 13, though, where you agree to repay your creditors under new terms, the bankruptcy filing only shows up for seven years. There are some situations where the bankruptcy may stay on your credit record for a longer period. For example, if you apply for a loan in excess of $150,000, the potential lender may see the bankruptcy filing, even though it has been more than 10 years.
How to Minimize the Impact of a Bankruptcy on Your Ability to Obtain Credit
When a potential lender considers your creditworthiness, they will likely look at your credit report. In many instances, though, that will be only one of many factors. Many lenders are far more interested in what you have done lately, as opposed to what you did a number of years ago. If your credit report shows that you have made all payments in a timely manner since your bankruptcy, a lender may be inclined to extend credit, perceiving that you have developed new habits, or that the bankruptcy was the result of an illness, injury or other unforeseen incident, and not the result of poor money management.
The other important thing to do, if you want to improve your chances of getting credit, is to minimize the use of available credit. If you have a credit card, don’t use it unless absolutely necessary, and pay it off every month or as soon as possible.
Contact John Hargrave and Associates
We have provided comprehensive counsel to individuals in and around Barrington, New Jersey, since 1977. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 856-547-6500.