Worried bankruptcy will ruin your credit forever? Think you'll lose everything you own? Attorney Shawn Orcutt joins this episode of The Debt Hotline to bust the myths that keep people stuck in debt and explain how bankruptcy could actually be the fastest route to financial freedom.Shawn brings 15 years of bankruptcy experience to North Carolina families drowning in debt. His background is unique: computer science degree, MBA in financial planning, then law school after watching debt settlement clients get harassed daily. He loves bankruptcy law because it's one area where the power shifts back to consumers instead of creditors.Sued for debt? Visit https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast to resolve it.In this Q&A episode of The Debt Hotline, you'll learn:Why Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 bankruptcy isn't about "better or worse" but about what works for your situationThe truth about asset protection: most people keep everything they want to keepHow bankruptcy can wipe out massive IRS debt (if it's old enough and filed properly)Why filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that stops foreclosures, lawsuits, and garnishments coldThe "spring cleaning" method: deciding what debts go in the keep pile vs trash pileHow bankruptcy actually improves your credit faster than you thinkReal listener questions answered:Hannah and Shawn tackle urgent situations including Bob facing a condo foreclosure with just days to spare, Madea in Texas being sued by her former landlord, and Dorian in Oklahoma trapped by predatory lenders with automatic bank drafts. They also address Angela in North Carolina worried about losing her house over $45,000 in debt, plus questions about HOA lawsuits, debt consolidation programs, and disabled individuals seeking debt relief.Key takeaways from Attorney Shawn Orcutt:The automatic stay kicks in the moment you file and creditors have to stop everything immediatelyCredit cards, medical bills, and personal loans get wiped out completely in the "trash pile"Chapter 13 gives you 3-5 years to catch up on house payments, taxes, and cars, and it's breathing room, not punishmentMost people keep everything they actually want; you only give up stuff you're tired of paying for anywayYour credit score focuses on the last 2 years of activity, not the full decade bankruptcy stays on your reportCreditors will flood you with credit card offers right after discharge because you're debt-free and hungry to rebuildShawn's personal credit experiment proves you can hit a credit score of 720-750 within two years by managing 3-5 credit cards strategically and requesting limit increases. FHA, USDA, and VA loans become available just two years after discharge, sometimes even during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy if you've made good trustee payments.The bottom line: Bankruptcy isn't financial death. It's often the fastest path to financial recovery when debt becomes unmanageable.Connect with Shawn Orcutt and The Law Offices of John T. Orcutt: https://www.billsbills.com Additional bankruptcy resources: National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys: https://www.nacba.orgTo submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemailFill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8Send an email to [email protected]

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