An unexpected cold front has led to a rare snowfall in Southern Arizona this week. Areas such as Scottsdale, Goodyear, and Tucson saw the unexpected snowfall while in northern Arizona Flagstaff broke a record set in 1915 with an astounding 31 inches of snow in a single day.  Would you be prepared if an unexpected financial burden happened to you?

Did you know that filing for bankruptcy is often unexpected as well? Often there is a common misconception that people declare bankruptcy because they are simply irresponsible with their budgeting and spending. The assumption that a debtor recklessly racked up their credit cards with vacations, shopping, and outlandish purchases are often furthest from the truth. Sometimes unexpected situations arise that lead to the necessity of filing for bankruptcy.  Much like the weather, these “situations” come out of the blue.

Loss of employment is another common cause of bankruptcy filings in Tucson, Arizona. In the housing crisis of 2008-2009, many people in the real estate industry found themselves in this situation. When their income decreased, their expenses stayed the same.  Eventually, many people ended up bankrupt.

Furthermore, another main cause of bankruptcy filings are deaths or divorces, which are also often unexpected. There are times when a spouse dies and their retirement income may stop being received by the surviving spouse. In the event of a divorce it is usually difficult to continue to pay necessary expenses on a single income. Additional reasons for declaring bankruptcy in Tucson include:  Student Loan Debt, Loss of a Home or Car, and a higher cost of living.

A Harvard University study recently found that over-spending barely breaks into the top 10 reasons that lead to a person filing for bankruptcy.  Medical Debt was the number one reason that a person files for bankruptcy.  According to the study, medical debts lead to over 60% of bankruptcy filings. This number also includes those who have some sort of medical insurance. Unexpected medical procedures and things like a heart attack can lead to thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt.

Make sure that you are prepared for the unexpected.  If you are facing unexpected debt or a financial crisis, get in touch with a Tucson debt relief expert to let you know the many options available to you.  Call (520) 307-0020 for a free consultation.