Before Getting a Credit Card

Credit Cards and Bankruptcy in Yakima

There are certain things you should know about credit cards and how they will affect your financial situation after you have filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. An Yakima bankruptcy lawyer can advise you on this matter to ensure that you don't make any of the common mistakes that prevent a swift and full recovery from bankruptcy.

Don't apply for a credit card until you are ready

Unfortunately, bankruptcy may not have permanently resolved all of your financial problems. It is a bad idea to apply for new credit before you can afford it.

Avoid accepting too many offers

There is rarely a good reason to have more than one or two credit cards. Having too much credit can lead to bad decisions and unmanageable debts, and it will lower your credit rating. This can make it harder for you to get other lower interest rate loans. Avoid accepting a credit card just to get a discount at a store or a "free" gift.

Remember that lenders are looking for people who run up big balances, because those consumers pay the most interest

You may find that credit card companies are pursuing you aggressively by mail and phone even though you filed bankruptcy. Do not view this as a sign that you can afford more credit. The lender may have a marketing profile telling them you are someone who is likely to carry a big credit card balance and pay a good deal of interest. Or they may see you as a good credit risk because you cannot file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy again for quite a few years.

Interest rate is important in choosing a card but not the only consideration

You should always try to get a card with an interest rate as low as possible, but it is rarely a good idea to take a new card just because of a low rate. The rate only matters if you carry a balance from month to month. Also, the rate can easily change, with or without a reason. Remember that even the best credit cards are expensive unless you pay your balance in full every month. Other credit terms can add to your cost, like annual fees, late charges, over-the-limit fees, account set-up fees, cash advance fees, and the method of calculating balances. Sometimes a credit card that appears cheaper is actually more expensive.

Beware of a temporary "teaser" rate, an artificially low initial rate that applies only for a limited time

Most teaser rates are good only for six months or less. After that, the rate automatically goes up. Remember that if you build up a balance under the teaser rate, the much higher permanent rate will apply when you repay the bill. This means that the permanent long-term rate on the card is much more important than the temporary rate.

If your rate is variable understand how it may change

Variable interest rates can be very confusing. Some variable rate terms can make your rate go up steeply over time. Read the credit contract to understand how and when your rate may change. Don't be misled by advertisements that claim "fixed rate," as this may mean the rate is fixed only until the lender decides to change it again.

Check terms related to late payment charges and penalty rates of interest

Most credit card contracts have terms in the small print for late charges or penalty interest rates that increase if you make even a single late payment. Try to avoid cards with late fees as high as $25-$35 or penalty interest rates of 21%-24% or higher. Even if you are not having financial problems, these terms may become important, because they apply equally to accidental late payments.

Get a card with a grace period and learn the billing method

It is important to understand how you will be billed. Look for a card with a grace period that lets you pay off the balance each month without interest. If the card does not have a grace period and interest will apply from the date of your purchase, a low interest rate may actually be higher than it looks. The terms of the grace period are also important, as it may not apply to balance transfers and cash advances. Look out for different interest rates that may apply depending upon the type of charge: these usually include a higher rate for cash advances.

Don't accept a card just because you qualify for a high credit limit

It is easy to assume that because a card offer includes a high credit limit, this means the lender thinks you can afford more credit. In fact, the opposite may be true. Lenders often give high credit limits to consumers hoping that they think will carry a bigger balance and pay more interest. You must evaluate whether you can afford more credit based on your individual circumstances.

Always read both the disclosures and the credit contract

You will find disclosures about the terms of a credit card offer, usually in small print on the reverse or at the bottom of the offer. Review these carefully. However, the law does not require that all relevant information be disclosed. For this reason, you must also read your credit contract, which comes with the card. This will include terms such as late payment fees, default rates of interest, and a description of the billing method. Since these terms are not easy to understand, you may want to call the lender for an explanation. Or better yet, refuse credit with too many complex provisions, because those terms are likely to work to your disadvantage.

Bankruptcy Attorney in Yakima

At Eastwood Law, our mission is to help people in the community find a way out of their financial difficulties. Bankruptcy may be an effective resolution to many of your problems, but it is vital to understand what you can do to avoid accumulating the same types of debts a second time. We will help you with every aspect of your filing process, and we will advise you of actions you can take in the years to come to build credit after bankruptcy. Don't let credit cards drag you back into unmanageable debt.

Contact an Yakima bankruptcy lawyer for assistance with an efficient and speedy bankruptcy.