Examine these five details and discuss your situation with an attorney to ensure that you are comfortable moving forward and confident this is the right decision at the present time. Learn more about bankruptcy in Philadelphia in this presentation.

1. FIVE KEY
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE
FILING BANKRUPTCY
IN PHILADELPHIA
DAVID M. OFFEN
PHILADELPHIA BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY
Examine These Five Details and Discuss Your Situation
with an Attorney to Ensure that You are Comfortable
Moving Forward and Confident that This Is the Right
Decision at the Present Time

2. Five Key Considerations before Filing Bankruptcy in Philadelphia www.getfreeofbills.com
3
Has the time come for you to consider filing bankruptcy? Although this is a
big decision that will impact your finances now and in the future, it is one
that you may have to make.
Taking the first step can be a challenge, as you know you are doing
something that will change your life. That being said, you have to consider
the future. You have to consider the fact that the pain you go through now
could make your life much better down the line.
Before filing for bankruptcy, one of the best things you can do is consult
with an attorney. Not only can this person answer your questions, but they
will be able to help with the filing process as well.
Note: you have the right to file for bankruptcy without an
attorney, but this is a lot of work for somebody who does
not have any knowledge of the law and the bankruptcy
court requirements.
Here are five key considerations before filing bankruptcy:
1. Is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 right for you? It is easy to believe that
both types of bankruptcy are similar, but nothing could be further from the
truth.
With Chapter 7, you are in position to have some or all of your debt
discharged. With Chapter 13, however, you are reorganizing your debt and
making payments to creditors through a repayment plan that typically lasts

3. Five Key Considerations before Filing Bankruptcy in Philadelphia www.getfreeofbills.com
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between three to five years. Depending on your situation, one may be
much better than the other.
Learn the ins and outs of both types, including eligibility requirements,
before making a final decision.
2. Is bankruptcy the only option? You may think that bankruptcy is
the best way out, but there
could be another strategy that
will help you get your financial
life back on track.
For example, you may be able
to borrow money to pay off your
debt with creditors.
3. Where you live is taken
into consideration. Did you know that bankruptcy laws differ from state
to state? This is just one of the many reasons why you need to work with a
bankruptcy attorney.
Note: make sure your attorney is licensed to practice in
your particular state. Along with this, the person should
have experience with past bankruptcy cases in your home
state.

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4. It is not as simple as it sounds. On the surface, you may look at
bankruptcy and see an
easy way to discharge or
reorganize your debt. As
you dig deeper, you will
find that there are steps
to take that will come up
along the way.
There are documents to
complete, and questions
to answer, but with an experienced lawyer you are going to make your way
through bankruptcy to the other side and with it the start of a better
financial life.
5. A bankruptcy must list all debts. You can’t file bankruptcy and
choose to pay back loans that you have from friends, but not pay back
your credit cards. All debts that you owe are required to be listed. You can
however, continue to pay a mortgage or car that you are keeping even
though you have listed the creditor in the bankruptcy.
Before filing for bankruptcy, you should examine these five details and
discuss your situation and options with an attorney. This will ensure that
you are comfortable moving forward and confident that this is the right
decision at the present time. Remember that the purpose of the
bankruptcy laws is to help make your life better.

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About the Author
David M. Offen
A native to the Philadelphia area, Mr. Offen attended Temple University College and Law
School. Mr. Offen is licensed to practice in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a
member of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference and the National
Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
David M. Offen has over 20 years of experience and has helped over 8,500 individuals and
families go through the Bankruptcy process. These filings have included stopping foreclosure on
a home, stopping repossession of a car or vehicle, stopping IRS tax levies and frozen bank
accounts and putting a stop to; lawsuits, credit card bills, personal loan, bills, utility shutoffs
and other types of debt.
With Mr. Offen’s help, these families have saved countless millions of dollars of debt.
David enjoys getting to know his clients and will be happy to answer any and all questions you
may have. You are treated as a person and not a number.
Remember – there is no such thing as a silly question. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you
may have. David M. Offen has found that people looking to file Bankruptcy are not trying to
avoid their responsibilities but rather to make a difficult situation easier. David enjoys getting
people to stop worrying and making their financial lives much better and stop feeling
overwhelmed.
In some cases, Bankruptcy is not the best move and he can review your situation with you and
tell you the right move for you to make. Get a completely free evaluation of your situation. For
the past 20 years, the Law Offices of David M. Offen has been among the top filers of
bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The Law Offices of David M. Offen
www.getfreeofbills.com
The Curtis Center
601 Walnut Street, Suite 160 West – 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-9600