There Is Life After Bankruptcy PDF Download

The book Starting Over is the product of consumer demand. Dave Ramsey's Debtor Education (DRDE) provides pre-discharge financial education to debtors filing Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy as mandated by the United States Trustee, delivered to its users by their attorneys. Many of those attorneys have asked that DRDE provide something to help discharged debtors avoid the pitfalls they'll face as they leave the Bankruptcy Court's jurisdiction and their lawyers' protection and return to the real world.Starting Over begins with the moving story of the Director of Dave Ramsey's Debtor Education. He has been through the trenches and has great empathy for those who have to start over, as he did himself. This chapter reinforces the credibility of those who are offering this advice.After that the chapters are divided into several sections designed to track the debtors' progress, beginning with the days after discharge. It begins with a "To-Do List" of issues that should be addressed right away--the sooner the better--listed in more or less chronological order. Some of these may seem obvious--secure your home, don't go into debt for anything, cut up credit cards, etc.--but in truth, many people who have no history of fiscal responsibility need elementary guidance and a dose of hope in their effort to change their behaviors.The next several chapters make up what is called the "Next Steps." These are matters which will take longer, and about which one may need to do some serious planning. This includes finding a career that really fits, setting short term and long term goals, working on the attitudes and behaviors that caused the bankruptcy, making sure you have the right insurance protection, to name a few.Finally there is a section entitled "Advice for Moving Forward." In addition to some real-life suggestions and examples from successful bankruptcy lawyers, this part deals with major decisions such as renting versus buying, what to do about an upside-down car or home, the arguments against cosigning, and--hopefully unnecessary--dealing with collectors and creditors.