TIME

Two prominent Wall Street rating firms recently downgraded Atlantic City to near-junk status, after Gov. Chris Christie appointed an emergency management team to handle the finances of America’s Favorite Playground.

Last month, both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s rating services dropped Atlantic City’s credit rating several notches, from BB to BBB+. The downgrade makes it more difficult for Atlantic City to borrow money, as it tries to stave off bankruptcy. An S&P analyst called the management team a “draconian” action that “has a greater likelihood of being detrimental to bondholders.” Moody’s said that Gov. Christie’s action may have ramifications for other financially-challenged New Jersey cities, including Newark and Patterson.

Four of Atlantic City’s 12 major casinos have closed in the last year, leaving the city with a greatly reduced tax base and nearly $400 million of debt.

Handling Bankruptcy

Atlantic City may hold a common misconception about bankruptcy, which goes back to the days of seemingly endless “Monopoly” games played out on the kitchen table, the living room floor, or a folding card table in the den. As you moved your racecar, iron, thimble, or battleship around the board, the worst thing you could do was file bankruptcy. That was the end of the game, and there was no hope of recovery.

Fortunately, the real thing works a bit differently. For one thing, a house on James Place may cost a little more than $50. More to the point, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy gives you a fresh start. Imagine that you have to take the red plastic hotel off of Pacific Avenue, but you keep the card face up and are soon able to start building it back up again. That, in a nutshell, is bankruptcy.

If you have more debt than you can pay, you can take the Atlantic City approach, and try to keep your head above water for a few more months and hope that things get better somehow. Or, you can take control of the situation and reach out to a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney in Barrington. The experience may be somewhat uncomfortable in the short term, but you’ll be back at the financial starting line is as little as a few months, with little or no unsecured debt, more manageable secured debts, and a much brighter financial outlook.

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.