Privacy in Your Memphis Bankruptcy Case
“If I file bankruptcy in Memphis, who has to know?” The amount of times I get this question has changed some over the years, as some people have come to accept bankruptcy more. But I still meet folks with concerns about privacy. They want to make sure bankruptcy won’t hurt their relationships, jobs, and futures.
Here’s what you need to know about your privacy and filing bankruptcy.
1. You Don’t Have to Tell Anyone You’ve Filed Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy may be public record, but it’s a personal matter. You aren’t required by law to report it to anyone in particular, especially family and friends who might judge you.
Bankruptcy isn’t anything to be ashamed of, but if someone isn’t going to be supportive while you change your life, they don’t have to be a part of the process with you.
There are some rare jobs where it might matter. For example, if you’re working deeply with finances, your employer or future employer may want to know. In addition, it sometimes comes up when searching for apartments. I encourage potential employers or landlords to see it this way: who should they trust more? Someone who’s dealt with their debt responsibly using bankruptcy, or someone who might still be in a desperate financial situation?
I certainly would prefer to work with someone who’s financially stable because they took care of their debts in a court of law.
2. Public Record Doesn’t Exactly Mean “Public”
What does this phrase “public record” mean? It means your bankruptcy will show up in a few places:
- On court records
- In some background checks
- In a very specific daily paper
Most cities have a small local paper that prints court records. In Memphis, that local paper is called The Daily News. It will list everyone’s case number, name, and attorney. Fortunately for you, no one you know is scouring this section of an obscure paper to find your name. In fact, this is probably the first time you’ve ever even heard it existed.
In other words, public record means bankruptcy is not a secret. But someone would have to search pretty hard for the information to find it.
3. Bankruptcy Doesn’t Have to Follow You Everywhere
If you’re already asking, “If I file bankruptcy in Memphis, who has to know?” you’re probably pretty anxious about this process.
Our attorneys are known for our compassion and personal care. We’ve even received the Martindale-Hubbell award for client satisfaction. We help you every step of the way, including with questions about privacy.
In addition, we offer free resources to help you with your life after bankruptcy—including how to navigate future job searches, apartment rentals, and much more. We want to help you have as much success as possible, and that means giving you emotional support as well as legal expertise.
Our first conversation is absolutely free, no strings attached. To get started, just give us a call at 901-327-2100 or fill out the form below.