ISSUE: The Guilt and Embarrassment Associated With Financial Problems and Bankruptcy

Rarely does anyone come into an initial consultation saying, "let me tell you how great things are going in my life". Oftentimes people are ashamed and worried about their financial situation and never thought they would be seeking advice from a bankruptcy attorney.

First, there is no need to be embarrassed. We have seen it all. The main reasons that people get into financial difficulty are because of an unfortunate (usually uncontrollable) event such as the loss of a job/ loss of income, illness in the family, divorce, failed business and/or a bad investment. These things could happen to anyone. We do sometimes meet with people who are overspending and not living within their means. However, we mostly see honest, average, hard-working people that got in over their heads for one reason or another. They have usually tried to come up with a solution on their own, including reaching out to their creditors to try to explain the situation and find a solution, but it does not help or the creditors will not work with them, resulting in fees, higher interest rates and unmanageable balances.

Bankruptcy is designed for the honest but unfortunate debtor to give them relief. We are using legal means, i.e. the Bankruptcy Code, to help people find a fresh start and a new opportunity in life.

We have four goals for our clients:

1. To get out of the mess;

2. To stay out of the mess;

3. To have good credit again; and

4. To have a vision of a successful financial future, which, to us, is where clients have money in the bank, own their own home and are ready to retire.

We will work to find a solution to your financial problems and help you reach these goals.

As for worry and anxiety, Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God". We invite you to offer worry and anxiety up to the Lord.

Finally, do not let the creditors scare you. The creditors cannot put you in jail, and, in SC, they cannot garnish your wages. They can sue you, and it is best not to allow judgments to be entered against you, but we can usually deal with lawsuits/ judgments in a Bankruptcy.

There is no reason to feel shame or embarrassment about seeking financial relief; and there are valuable lessons to be learned from the process. We are here to help. Note: all consultations are free and completely confidential.