Many people hire an attorney and file a bankruptcy petition when creditors keep calling to demand payment or when the combined monthly minimum payments on their debt barely leave enough to live on. This action puts a stop to the pestering phone calls and halts attempts to foreclose on real estate or repossess a car. Even when a person keeps striving to avoid this step, life still gets in the way sometimes, and this should never be a source of shame. Here’s a closer look at circumstances that leave many with no other recourse to reclaim their financial health. 

3 Common Reasons Why People Need a Bankruptcy Attorney

1. Unexpected Illness

Unplanned medical bills are one of the most common reasons people file a bankruptcy petition. Many filers have been making timely payments on their debt for years before a sudden illness or serious injury lands them in the hospital.

Even a few days of inpatient medical care can lead to thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars in hospital bills. Surgeries, tests, medications, room costs, and other procedural expenses add up quickly and can soon become more than the patient can afford.

2. Extended Job Loss

As with a sudden illness, the sudden loss of employment has nothing at all to do with living beyond one's means. The loss of an income can mean falling behind on mortgage payments, car loans, credit card bills, student loan debt, and other expenses that were within reach with full employment. Bankruptcy attorneys always see a spike in business during recession periods.

3. Divorce

Divorce throws a big wrench into a family's financial situation. Suddenly, a couple needs not one but two expensive divorce attorneys, and the hourly cost and attendant expenses of a legal action can cost many thousands of dollars. Worse, the former couple must now maintain two separate households, and each must learn to live on less than they are used to, especially if they have children. 

If you're facing one of these scenarios and need the help of an experienced bankruptcy lawyer, contact Ray T. Kennington, Attorney at Law in Ozark, AL. He and his team have been helping clients in and around Dale County return to the path of financial health since 1982. Visit their website to learn more about this skilled attorney or call (334) 445-1200 to schedule a consultation.