As you might imagine, a debt consolidation lawyer like me who offers bankruptcy information in Indiana needs to read a lot, and I certainly do. In addition to newspapers, magazines, and professional journals on financial planning and tax law, I need to know 
what decisions are being handed down in bankruptcy courts in Indiana and other states. That helps me stay up-to-date, so I can help my clients file individual bankruptcy in Indiana.
Whenever a personal bankruptcy in Indiana happens at or near the same time as a divorce, things can quickly become even more complicated. Now we’re dealing with two sets of laws: the new bankruptcy laws of Indiana, and Indiana divorce law. A recent court case from Pennsylvania serves as a good example of what can happen when divorce and bankruptcy laws mix:
- P. rec
Michael Vick is a nationally known name, a former (and some say still) football hero. As a 
longtime Indianapolis bankruptcy attorney, I’ve helped more than 30,000 debtors file personal bankruptcy in Indiana, in some cases coupled with small business bankruptcy in Indiana. But all the cases handled through the four Zuckerberg bankruptcy law offices involve the debts of ordinary working people, not celebrities.
My reason for featuring, just two years ago, the story of Michael Vick filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy was to illustrate the principles underlying the bankruptcy process.
There are many misconceptions about the possibility of obtaining credit after bankruptcy. The truth is that improving your credit score takes time and vigilance. If you are willing to commit your attention to rebuilding your credit, your score will improve dramatically and quickly by following three easy steps.
First, immediately after your case closes (usually soon after you receive your discharge), obtain your credit reports from the three largest credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can obtain an absolutely free credit report from each of these companies by visiting this site: https://www.
Review your credit reports for errors. All debts discharged by your bankruptcy should be listed as “Discharged in Bankruptcy” with a “Zero Balance.” There should be no activity reported on these accounts after the date you file bankruptcy. Each credit bureau is required to provide assistance in correcting errors on your credit report. Once the credit bureau has corrected the erroneous information it will send you an updated report.
Second, obtain new credit. Many debtors are reluctant to take this step either out of fear of rejection or fear of abusing available credit. The only way to improve your credit score is to demonstrate a responsible use of credit over time. Approximately 1/3 of your score is based on your payment history; 1/3 is your available credit; and 1/3 is various items like types of credit and length of credit history. Obtaining new credi
Question: “I have heard that FHA home loans are easier to get than regular mortgages. It this true? I’m asking because I have a bad FICO score. Do FHA loans depend on your credit score, and if so how much?”
Yes, your credit score will be a factor in the approval / rejection process. But there are several things you should know about it, right off the bat:
- Credit is only one piece of the qualification process. Lenders will also look at your income, the current amount of debt you’re carrying, and other financial factors. So while a good FICO score will certainly help you get approved, there are other things you need to consider.
- Generally speaking, it’s easier for people with bad credit to get an FHA loan than a conventional loan (that’s not backed by the government).