ADVICE for newbie before filing 13

[anne1975]

Looking for any or all tips, suggestions and/or advice on what to do or how to best prepare myself- (assests) before the actual filing of the 13.
My story- (short version)

Spoke to lawyer...getting the last 2 docs he needs to file then planning to have review mtg and sign petition, file immediattly there after.
So my time frame is (hopefully this next week to file).
I asked my lawyer (I emailed him a quick question) about switching cellular carriers and if I should do before filing (credit purposes) and he replied he wasn't able to answer due to BK law- thats fine. I posted thread and got great advice- (change NOW or we won't be able to for a while after filing)
My thoughts now are- since lawyers can't tell everything is there something I should know or do before filing this 13 which is inevitable ( I have to file)??

Kinda looking for tips and suggestions on how or what I can do now that I can't after filing- (Nothing unethical or illegal please, just tips that sometimes lawyers can't say..or forget to say or only can say if asked,ect)

Also- I am completely STRESSED over this...I mean its consuming me! Any positive advice would be deeply appreciated and extremely valued! Anything to help me sleep better!

[Flamingo]

Please don't take this the wrong way - you are at a highly emotional time in your life going through this and there is just so much information out there as to filing. You have probably been correctly advised as to your own particular situation as to your debts and assets and there probably is not much more, if anything, you can do except file and adjust to that fact. It can drive you crazy as to the details. If you are feeling so anxiety-ridden about this process, see your family doctor, tell him you are having severe emotional issues over financial problems and a mild anti-anxiety medication can help you tremendously as many of us on here going through the same process in the past can attest to. It is just a life event...you will have to make a major lifestyle change when you file and the best thing to do is lie low over the years to come, budget, budget and budget some more, make those payments on time to the plan and any other bill you have and ride it out. The reward comes at the end.

[justbroke]

The best advice, is what Flamingo wrote.

Your lawyer is there to protect your interests. I am not a lawyer, many of us on here are not lawyers, and even for the few lawyers on this board that we have, we too can't give legal advice.

We can offer reassurance and help you understand the process. Your lawyer knows more about you than we'll ever know (financially). He knows the laws, he knows the local players (the Judge and the Trustee), and he knows your case. Trust that.

As for the stress... yes, it's stressful. Once you file, you should breath easy and relax, because it's all downhill from there. If you find yourself still stressed out, you may need to seek help to get you through.

On the specific issue which seems to be consuming you... your lawyer "not telling you everything"... you can relax. What he was trying to tell you that he can't tell you to go "charge up the cards and have fun" because that's unethical for him.

Learn how to ask your lawyer questions in the hypothetical, without having him give legal advice. "Hey John. What if someone wanted to get a new cellular contract. What would you tell them to do?"

Sometimes it works.

[anne1975]

The best advice, is what Flamingo wrote.

Your lawyer is there to protect your interests. I am not a lawyer, many of us on here are not lawyers, and even for the few lawyers on this board that we have, we too can't give legal advice.

We can offer reassurance and help you understand the process. Your lawyer knows more about you than we'll ever know (financially). He knows the laws, he knows the local players (the Judge and the Trustee), and he knows your case. Trust that.

As for the stress... yes, it's stressful. Once you file, you should breath easy and relax, because it's all downhill from there. If you find yourself still stressed out, you may need to seek help to get you through.

On the specific issue which seems to be consuming you... your lawyer "not telling you everything"... you can relax. What he was trying to tell you that he can't tell you to go "charge up the cards and have fun" because that's unethical for him.

Learn how to ask your lawyer questions in the hypothetical, without having him give legal advice. "Hey John. What if someone wanted to get a new cellular contract. What would you tell them to do?"

Sometimes it works.

Thanks! The advice about asking hypothetical questions was great! I'll do that!
I guess I just was curious if there were things that you wish you knew before filing- NOT regarding the filing itself, just like the cellular question I asked- (I'm glad to have found out that if we truely want to change we need to do so now rather than after the filing.) Things like that, tips and positive advice.
I understand no one wants to say go run up the cards, which I know you cannot do because of the 90 day period....We haven't used our Credit Cards in 1 year- Not any of them! Of course that doesn't make their balances go away...I certainly am not trying to sneak any thing thru- just want to do the best with what I have to deal with- Thanks again!