Bankruptcy Stress --- And De-Stress

Nothing like a good ole' fashioned personal bankruptcy to hike one's stress level about 20 notches. Bankruptcy has got to be on the short list of most unpleasant things to go through in life. Right up there with a root canal, public speaking and lunch with your mother in law. This site deals mostly with bankruptcy fraud, but bankruptcy fraud nonwithstanding, there are still plenty of other things about a bankruptcy to stress out about other than fraud. Here are a few, with some counter reasons not to stress out about them.

1. Bankruptcy is a public record - Sure bankruptcy is a public record and theoritcally, anyone can find out if you have filed for bankruptcy. You can monitor your bankruptcy on the Federal Government "Pacer" website. You can also look up others who have filed or gone through bankruptcy. This is the most likely place someone would look at to see that you filed bankruptcy. The silver lining here is that if someone is searching for you on this site, there is 99% chance that they are on the site because they are going through bankruptcy too.
2. The dreaded 341 meeting. There is another post on this website about the 341 meeting but build up to this event is very much overblown by bankruptcy petitioners. Unless you are hiding something and commiting some sort of bankruptcy fruad, this meeting is a mere formality. Your portion of the meeting will last about 5 minutes and you will be out the door with your clock ticking toward discharge.
3. Bankruptcy Fraud - Look at the overall big picture when going through bankruptcy. Don't risk any sort of credit card fraud or bankruptcy fraud. List everything and be open and up front about what you have and what you have done. it is much less stressful when you are confident you have played by the rules during your bankruptcy.
4. Out of debt - You are going to be debt free. If you are like most, you have struggled and struggled financially for a long period of time and agonized with the prospect of going through bankruptcy. De-stress yourself by thinking about your new debt free life you are going to be starting out.
5. Living situation - Maybe you included your house when you filed and you are going to have to rent after bankruptcy. Don't worry. At this point in time, most people who rent have some sort of ding in their credit. You will be able to accentuate the positive and stress your zero debt credit report as a plus in your ability to make a rent payment.
6. Be organized - Being completely organized with your bankruptcy schedule and paperwork will help reduce stress immensely. Keep a bankruptcy to do list and calendar. Keep all of your paperwork organized.

The process of bankruptcy can be long and arduous. Help yourself through it by doing these things and any others which may help in your particular situation.