Your Credit Score After Bankruptcy
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Having a good credit score is an important element of your financial well-being. Your credit score is used by lenders to determine whether you will qualify for credit and, if you do qualify for credit, the amount of interest the lender will charge for that credit. However, your credit score is used for more than just obtaining credit. A low credit score may result in higher insurance rates, more difficulty qualifying for a cell phone plan, and more difficulty getting the apartment you want.
How are Credit Scores Calculated?
Credit scores are based on your financial history. The credit reporting agency reviews your financial history as reported by your creditors and uses the information from your credit report to calculate your credit score. Some financial information remains on your credit report for up to 10 years; however, as time goes by, the damage caused by negative items begins to fade. Five major categories are used to calculate your credit score.
Bankruptcy Can Help Improve a Credit Score Faster
By the time that most people make the decision to file bankruptcy, their credit score has been severely damaged due to negative marks on their credit report such as late payments, collections, high balances, and lawsuits. While the bankruptcy filing will remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, often most debtors experience an increase in their credit score within one to two years following their bankruptcy filing.
Debt to Income Ratio
An example of how bankruptcy can help improve your credit score is by lowering your overall total debt. The bankruptcy discharges most, if not all, unsecured debt. This results in a lower amount of total debt owed which accounts for 35% of your credit score.
Accounts Removed From Collection
Another example of how bankruptcy can help improve your credit score is with your payment history. Collections are included in this category. Those debts are discharged in the bankruptcy, thereby removing the accounts from collection. Filing bankruptcy also stops creditors from continuing to report past due payments on your credit history.
Rebuilding Your Credit
As you continue to make timely payments on your remaining debt (i.e. car payments, mortgage payments, etc.), your credit score will continue to improve. If you ignore your debt problem, the negative marks will continue to be added to your credit report. This will continue to be an issue until you take steps to resolve the debt problem in some manner.
If you are struggling with overwhelming debt, contact Weston Legal, PLLC to discuss your bankruptcy options. You have options for dealing with your financial problems and we will help you find the solution that is best for you.