Should I file for bankruptcy?

Whether to file for bankruptcy is a very personal decision.

Some people find it helpful to file a bankruptcy case when they cannot pay their bills and they do not think they will be able to pay their bills in the near future. Some people file because their financial situation is causing them emotional distress or depression, or because they would like to free themselves of debt now and have their income and property to themselves in the future.

Some people do not have any property over and above what the law allows them to keep, even if they do not pay their creditors. If this is true of you, then you may not need a bankruptcy in order to protect your property.
Throughout this section of the Consumer Bankruptcy Center, we try to help you decide if bankruptcy is for you. We strongly recommend, however, that you talk to a lawyer before filing for bankruptcy.