Maintaining Privacy During Bankruptcy

If you plan to file for bankruptcy in Maryland, you may be concerned about maintaining the privacy of this decision. Some of your initial concerns about filing for bankruptcy in Maryland may include:

• Will my employer find out about my bankruptcy in Maryland?
• Will my family and relatives find out about my bankruptcy?
• Will my friends and colleagues find out about my bankruptcy?

Your Bankruptcy Will Not Be Publicized

The truth is, that when you file for bankruptcy in Maryland, whether it is a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing or a Chapter 13 filing, your bankruptcy will not be publicized in the newspaper or in any other public media. The only names that are listed in the media are those who file for corporate bankruptcy or celebrities, in some cases. The names of personal bankruptcy filers will generally be kept private.

Who Will Have Access

When you file for bankruptcy in Maryland, your name will be listed on the court docket and in a schedule of bankruptcy hearings. There is limited access to these documents, restricted mainly to lawyers and creditors who must view the papers during the bankruptcy process.

Therefore, unless you tell them, neither your current employer nor your school should find out about your bankruptcy in Maryland. If you choose to tell them, that is up you. Otherwise, only a credit check will reveal that you have filed for bankruptcy in Maryland. This does mean that future employers or landlords will see this on your record if they perform a credit check on you.

If you have questions about maintaining the privacy of your bankruptcy in Maryland, you can get the advice of an experienced Maryland bankruptcy attorney. An experienced attorney can guide you throughout the bankruptcy process.

Protection Against Discrimination

According to federal law, your employer cannot discriminate against you because of your bankruptcy filing. This means that you cannot be fired, demoted or adversely affected because of your bankruptcy in Maryland. Any such discrimination is considered illegal and if you experience this type of discrimination, you should immediately seek legal advice about what steps to take.

How a Maryland Bankruptcy Attorney Can Help

Filing for bankruptcy in Maryland can be an intimidating process. During these proceedings, you will have to meet with your creditors and attempt to restructure your outstanding debts. This may take a good deal of negotiation, for which you may want the help of an experienced legal professional on your side.