Monthly Archives: January 2009

Will I receive credit card offers after filing bankruptcy?

Many people think they won’t be able to sign up for new credit cards after filing bankruptcy. While all bets are off given the current credit crisis, in recent years the answer to the above question has typically been yes — it was fairly common to hear of clients receiving offers to sign up for credit cards soon after filing.

Why does this happen? It’s because credit card companies know that you won’t be able to file bankruptcy for a number of years, which makes you a relatively good credit risk.

Can you file bankruptcy but keep your car or truck?

Yes, in many cases you can. In Rhode Island, you can keep vehicles you own outright up to $12,000 under the state’s “motor vehicle” exemption. Even if your vehicle is worth more, you could potentially hold on to a vehicle valued up to $17,000 by also claiming the state’s $5,000 “wildcard” exemption.

If a creditor has a secured loan on your vehicle, you can often keep your vehicle through a bankruptcy as well. Debtors can choose to reaffirm an auto loan, and if the car payments continue to be made, the secured creditor would have no reason to repossess the vehicle.