My clients have never gotten so many Credit card offers in their life, until the day after they filed.

Answer Applies to: Washington
Replied: 1/19/2012

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

It's up to the individual creditor as to whether you are worthy of credit or not. People think that bankruptcy is the reason credit is not extended but it's really more about your present income and income-debt ratio.

Answer Applies to: Indiana
Replied: 12/14/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Your credit card options will be limited. But frankly, that's probably a good thing. Credit card loans (yes, that's what they are) are expensive and can easily get out of control. For ease of use following bankruptcy, it would be better to begin using your bank debit card as you would a credit card. You'll not have the exorbitant fees and interest associated with a credit card, and you'll have the ability to more closely monitor your spending habits.

Answer Applies to: Ohio
Replied: 12/6/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

You will likely get credit card applications in the mail the date your case gets discharged. They will likely be small limits, however, you should be able to obtain one (although likely with a high interest rate).

Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 12/5/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Yes. You will be able to get back into debt very shortly after your bankruptcy discharge. There are 2 reasons that the banks will extend credit to you AFTER bankruptcy: (1) They know you like and have a taste for credit (DEBT); and (2) YOU CANNOT FILE BANKRUPTCY AGAIN FOR ANOTHER EIGHT (8) YEARS!!!!! If your bank will freeze your bank account when you file bk, then move your money to another bank first, then file bk. Hiring a competent bankruptcy lawyer will save you from these kinds of mistakes and move your case more smoothly through the process.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/5/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

You will be offered very crappy cards right after you get a discharge. High fees, high interest and low balances. Try to avoid falling into the credit card trap again. Credit cards are like a drug they are addicting, but you don't really need them. The interest sucks you dry. Buy what you need, pay cash and you will be much better off. The regular banks are not going to close your accounts unless you are overdrawn.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/4/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Credit card companies will undoubtedly solicit you before or soon after your case is discharged, and you are not prohibited from taking on unsecured debt (credit card debt).

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 12/4/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

It typically takes 3-6 months after filing bankruptcy before you can get credit cards.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Within months you will have many offers. But remember that you are getting a fresh start and don't want to put yourself right back in the same situtation. You want to rebuild credit not get buried in it again.

Answer Applies to: Utah
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Yes, you can get a new credit card soon after. In fact, you will be targeted by credit card companies with offers because they know that you can not file again for 8 years. However, these offers are usually very expensive and will not serve you well. You are much better off opening a secured credit card and not running your balance above 40% of the total line of credit.

Answer Applies to: Virginia
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

First, take your money out of your bank and put it in a new account in a bank that you don't owe any money to (not Wells Fargo!). After you file bankruptcy, you will receive many solicitations for new credit cards because they know you have discharged all your other debts and you can't file again for 8 years.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Yes, unfortunately you will be offered credit cards. But I will say to you what I tell my clients. Credit is what got you into a position of unmanageable debt. Post-bankruptcy you need to live on a cash basis. If you cannot afford it you cannot have it. BK gives you a fresh start in your financial life. Take advantage of it. Start tracking your expenses, on a daily basis. Then plan a budget. A debit card will allow you to reserve hotels, rental cars and hotels.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Its impossible to say. However, I have seen many people get credit cards not long after completing their bankruptcy. A secured credit card would probably be easier to get than an unsecured card.

Answer Applies to: Minnesota
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

You need to change your bank account to a new bank where you do not have a credit card or overdrafts, etc.Many times people are offered credit after the filing and before the discharge. Tha is up to the creditors. You should actually try to live on your income and go forward only charging a small amount which will help you to raise your credit score.

Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

You will get credit card applications within weeks after your discharge. After your discharge, you actually become a good credit risk in the eyes of the creditors because you can not file another chapter 7 bankruptcy for 8 more years.

Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Yes, you'll be able to get a new credit card (either secured or unsecured) after your bankruptcy discharge. It will help you rebuild your credit within 18-24 months. After your discharge you'll probably receive a few offers from credit card companies to apply for new cards, but with lower limits.

Answer Applies to: Illinois
Replied: 12/3/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

If you file Chapter 13, you cannot get a credit card for at least 3-5 years (you have to wait until the case ends). In Chapter 7 you legally can get a card. However, very few creditors will give you one, and most that will do so offer terms so bad that you may want to avoid them. One of the best reasons to use a lawyer in bankruptcy is the advice you can get on rebuilding credit from your lawyer, based on your situation. Follow that advice.

Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

That will depend on your income and job. Most people with good jobs are able to reestablish credit within a year of having filed a bankruptcy case although the interest rates will be higher, the credit limits lower and there might be card fees you will have to pay until you build a new credit history in two or three years. I have had clients that have obtained credit cards even before their Chapter 7 case is closed!

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

You will actually receive credit card offers in the mail after your bankruptcy is over. However, your focus, at this point, should be on getting out of debt, not getting back into it.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

The goal of bankruptcy is to give you a fresh start. The goal of credit card companies is to keep you in debt and earn as much money in interest on you possible. Consider changing your financial model before you file bankruptcy. Be prepared to live without credit because you're not going to have credit right away after you file. Credit is something you can rebuild over time, but with a bankruptcy your interest rates are likely to be higher. Rethink the way you think about money and credit. Get help from a credit counselor if you need it.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Immediately. There is no legal impediment to obtaining a credit card either during or immediately after a bankruptcy filing. Many credit card companies issue cards to bankruptcy debtors immediately after they have received a discharge, albeit at a much higher interest rate and with high fees and costs.

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Maybe 3 months after. A lot of independent credit card companies are very willing to work with post bankruptcy individuals, because they know you can't file another bankruptcy for at least another 2 years (chapter 13), or 6 years (chapter 7). With that being said, if you fall behind on these new cards, they will be able to sue you and garnish your wages or put a lien on your assets.

Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

This is the perennial question: *When will I get credit again?* The answer is a moving target: credit card issuers and consumer finance companies are in the process of updating and changing their policies all the time to deal with trends and changes. So there is no single answer, and if there were it could change next month. In general however, the way to rebuild credit is straightforward: show creditors that your old debts are out of the way and that you still make enough to repay them. Then follow through on your obligations: be on time and don't overshoot your credit limit. One practice that can help is to seek a secured credit card or very small loan: anything that gives you a chance to make regular payments that get reported to the credit bureaus in order to raise your FICO score.

Answer Applies to: Illinois
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

You will not (and should not) get an unsecured credit card immediately after filing and discharging your debts. You can get a secured card if you want to build your credit.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

It is unwise to get credit cards immediately after bankruptcy because the credit terms are not favorable. You might want to consider simply using your ATM in all situations that you formerly used a credit card.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/2/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.