Chapter 13 Conversion to 7 Questions

[Jenn]

I feel so bad because we are so close to finishing our 13, but we are behind, and it seems like we are not going to catch up- and we have other collections now.
We have a lot of medical bills, about 6k. About 2k we have been able to arrange payments on, but the others wont work with us at all, neither will the collection agencies.
I am wondering how hard it is to convert to a 7.
My lawyer also sent us a letter dimissing himself from the case so he can go into politics, so the 4k that we already paid him, well, I feel like we got cheated cause now we are hanging in the wind and will have to hire a NEW attorney and pay MORE money.
I just don't want this case to get dismissed-
any advice?

[HHM]

The question is whether you qualify for a chapter 7. You would need to take the means test, etc.

As for the attorney fee, keep in mind, that $4,000 would not cover a conversion anyway. Generally, the chapter 13 attorney fee covers from the date you hire the attorney up through confirmation and MAYBE six months of post confirmation case monitoring. Generally, any work the attorney does after that is extra.

As for preventing dismissal, you already know the answer, you either bring the payments currents or convert to 7 (assuming you qualify for a 7).

[krielly]

Jenn, is it payments towards medical bills that is making you delinquent on your 13 payments?

If so......stop paying the medical bills and get current with your 13. With only 12 mos left to go on a 13 (especially a 13 filed old law), I would do everything I could if I were you to complete the 13.............

[coma]

You are old law, so old law rules apply, which is in your favor. There is no means test or counseling required. Each district varies, but we filed a motion to convert, had another 341, and are awaiting discharge in about 2 weeks. We are pro se at this point, too, so i know how you are feeling. It depends on your comfort zone as far as jumping in yourself, but it is an option.