A guide to navigating through bankruptcy

Stories to guide you through the bankruptcy process

By Tyler Metzger

Rising unemployment coupled with existing credit card and other debt has caused bankruptcies filings to rise to the highest level since October 2005.

According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, there were 126,434 U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings in July 2009. The amount is a 34.3 percent increase from a year ago and a 8.7 percent increase from June 2009.

If you find yourself among the growing number of people who are considering filing for bankruptcy, this collection of tips for before, during and after a bankruptcy will help you through the tough times.

How to determine if bankruptcy's right for you

• Taking control of your debt to avoid bankruptcy
• Bankruptcy offers a fresh start, but at a high cost
• Are you a bankruptcy risk? Enigmatic score may tell lenders
• Use the divide by 60 test if you're considering bankruptcy
• Should I pay off credit card debt or declare bankruptcy?

Preparing for bankruptcy

• What to expect when filing for bankruptcy
• 14 considerations before filing for bankruptcy
• 5 tips for those considering bankruptcy
• Charging up a storm before filing for bankruptcy is considered fraud
• Bankruptcy law updates close loopholes in repaying debt

Bankruptcy and your spouse

• Avoid bankruptcy during messy divorce
• Can one spouse's bankruptcy destroy the other's credit?

Mopping up after bankruptcy

• Starting over and getting new credit after bankruptcy
• 5 post-bankruptcy myths

Bankruptcy numbers

• Bankruptcy filings, state by state, 2005-2010
• Personal bankruptcy filings rise 8 percent in 2010

Bankruptcy glossary terms

• Chapter 7 bankruptcy
• Chapter 11 bankruptcy
• Chapter 13 bankruptcy
• More bankruptcy terms

See related: A guide of what to expect when filing for bankruptcy, Starting over and getting new credit after bankruptcy,  Avoid bankruptcy during messy divorce, 5 tips for those considering bankruptcy, Should I pay off credit card debt or declare bankruptcy?, Your keys for getting in the 700 credit score club

Updated: January 12, 2011

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