Written by San Francisco bankruptcy attorney, Jeena Cho

Many of my clients come to me prepared to file for bankruptcy and the truly believe that life will become instantaneously better the moment their debts are discharged. For most this is true but for others, relief from financial worry won’t come right away.

Let’s think about the situation realistically. Some people are drowning in credit card debt, making the minimum payments to stay afloat on some accounts but they’re doing what they can to make sure their utilities and rent are paid as well. These people will have their debts discharged and find that because they are no longer making credit card payments they now have money to put aside in an emergency or savings account. They feel relieved.

Others are struggling to make ends meet. They not only have credit card debt but are constantly attempting to determine which bill can go unpaid in order to keep the electricity turned on or to put food on the table that week. These people will feel relief once their debts are discharged, but maybe not in the same way. The creditors will certainly stop calling but they may find they still need to make adjustments to their lifestyles and habits in order to find real relief. They may still be unemployed or under-employed and if they don’t tread carefully could find themselves right back in debt.

The truth is that bankruptcy is a huge relief, no matter what situation you are in. I can tell you that no matter what point you’re at, things will get easier.

Receiving a discharge doesn’t mean you’re on your own, either. As your San Francisco bankruptcy attorney, I can refer you to professionals who can work on fixing your budget, and your overall financial health.

Bankruptcy isn’t the end. It’s really just the beginning.