How Will Filing Bankruptcy Affect My Credit Score

By Mav OT •  Updated: 02/06/24 •  5 min read

Bankruptcy is a strong way to get back on track financially because it lets people start over after having too much debt. It is a legal status that people or comp anies can claim when they have serious money problems. It gives them a chance to start over. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Now, let us look at the interesting link between bankruptcy and credit scores. Your credit score is like a report card for your finances, and going bankrupt can affect you for a long time. Instead of being a sign of shame, it is a sign of power and determination. Bankruptcy may initially lower your credit score, but it is not a permanent problem. Being responsible with your money can help you rebuild your credit over time.

A person’s credit score changes when they file for bankruptcy and then file again. A better credit score is the result of making smart financial decisions all the time. 

Now let us look at the relation between credit score and bankruptcy. In the end, we should be able to see how filing for bankruptcy affects your credit score. 

How will filing bankruptcy affect my credit score

When someone can not pay back the money they owe, they file for bankruptcy. In other words, you can file for bankruptcy if you owe R50,000 and cannot pay it. 

When you go bankrupt, the people you owe money to generally get a share of the value of your things. This can include everything but the most important things in your home: car, furniture, and jewellery. You may also have to pay back your loan for up to three years, depending on how much money you make.

In a word, it hurts your credit score very badly. However, this does not have to last forever. Your credit score is based on how often you have used credit cards or taken out loans to borrow money in the past. 

How long it takes you to pay back your debts is recorded, and your ranking is based on how often you have done this in the past. When you file for bankruptcy, you concede that you can not pay any of your bills and will not be able to shortly, either. If your debt is very small, your bank may be able to forgive it. But if it is a big debt, this could negatively impact your credit score in a big way.

When someone asks, “How does bankruptcy affect your credit score?” most of the time, the answer is negative. 

It might hurt your score for a very long time, even up to ten years. But it will not last forever, and it might only last a short time if you learn how to handle your money better in the future. The problem is that when you ask for car loans or home loans

- ADVERTISEMENT -
, you have to say that you have been bankrupt in the past. 

This could mean that you have to pay more in interest or that your monthly payments will have to be bigger. But keep in mind that if you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, your finances are probably already in a very bad spot, so it is better to do something than nothing.

How much will my credit score drop if I file for bankruptcy?

If you have filed for bankruptcy, get ready to see your credit score fall like a log. Once you are declared bankrupt, you are considered unable to repay any loan you owe.

Considering the categories of credit scores in the system, filing for bankruptcy can cause you to lose a huge amount of points. However, these points depend on the category you fall in. 

Individuals with a 700 credit score can lose about 200 credit score points. If you have a credit score below 650, you could lose a point of not less than 150. 

It is always necessary to seek financial advice from experts to understand the commitment you are making when you file for bankruptcy. 

How long will bankruptcy affect my credit score?

It is very possible to work all over again to improve your credit score after bankruptcy. But the effect of bankruptcy towards your credit score could take years. 

Once you file for bankruptcy, it stays on your credit history for at least 10 years. This means all you have to do is to work towards improving it. It could take about 1 to 2 years to improve it. 

Does my credit score start again after bankruptcy?

People who can not handle their bills any other way may have to file for bankruptcy. But the process can mess up your credit scores.

There is a good chance that filing for bankruptcy will hurt your credit score, but the exact amount might be different for each person. 

Your credit score does not start all over after filing for bankruptcy. But rather you could request for a new credit. However, considering how the debt on your credit history still exists, you need to start looking at how to improve your credit score.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

How To Build A Credit Score As A Student

How To Build A Credit Score As A Student

Several students are left in the dark about what a credit score is or how it helps. This article will bring this crucial topic to light.

How To Check Credit Scores On Standard Bank App

How To Check Credit Scores On Standard Bank App

We’ll also explore how to increase your credit limit within the app and provide tips if your home loan application is declined.

How to Remove Late Payments From Credit Score

How to Remove Late Payments From Credit Score

How to Remove Late Payments From Credit Score. However, this isn’t always straightforward due to certain rules and procedures.

What Effect Does A Loan Have On Your Credit Score

What Effect Does A Loan Have On Your Credit Score

What Effect Does A Loan Have On Your Credit Score. We will talk more about how loans affect credit scores as we go along. 

Loans Without a Credit Score: What to Know

Loans Without a Credit Score: What to Know

If this is you, what can you do? How do you get loans without the credit history needed to…well, get loans? This article is for you!

How Fast Can Credit Score Improve

How Fast Can Credit Score Improve

Our focus is to enlighten, educate and inform our readers about positivity. And this includes ways to improve your credit score; it is all about making your credit score look good.

Can You Buy A Car Without A Credit Score

Can You Buy A Car Without A Credit Score

Although we have established credit score allows one to make a decision when it comes to purchasing. In this blog post, we will check on how one can buy a car without a credit score. 

How to Pay Credit Card Bills to Increase Credit Score

How to Pay Credit Card Bills to Increase Credit Score

This article explores the steps you can take to pay your credit card to increase your credit score.  

How to Find Out What’s Affecting Your Credit Score?

How to Find Out What’s Affecting Your Credit Score?

Today, we will walk you through working out what is affecting your credit score and how to fix it.

How To Apply For A Loan With Low Credit Rating

How To Apply For A Loan With Low Credit Rating

We take a detailed look at borrowing with a bad rating, how a poor loan reading affects the overdraft application, and ways to effect an increase in your loan scores.

How Does A Car Dealership Check Your Credit?

How Does A Car Dealership Check Your Credit?

Getting a credit extension in South Africa solely depends on your credit score.

What Credit Score Secures the Best Mortgage Rate?

What Credit Score Secures the Best Mortgage Rate?

Are you wondering about the score for the best mortgage rate in South Africa or how to boost your score before applying? Remain tuned for insightful tricks and info.

How to Use Your Credit Score to Earn Money?

How to Use Your Credit Score to Earn Money?

How to Update Credit Score Information

How to Update Credit Score Information

You may calculate your credit score by looking at your credit history, which includes details such as the number of accounts you have

How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report

How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report

You can remove the hard inquiries from your report. Read on to learn how to remove hard inquiries from your credit report.