Mailing Question and Humiliation...

[MajorMike]

I would absolutely have it certified return receipt requested. I am in a C7 but anything important like this - especially with money I would do that.

Isnt that quite expensive to do each month though? I think it's almost $10 or something....
I trust the mail...never had a problem...and use online banking...

Why don't you get money orders at your local grocery store or something and send them in ONE envelope....?

[MajorMike]

If your bank has online bill paying and your Ch 13 trustee allows you to make your payments using personal checks (ours does), then you can send your monthly payment to the trustee via electronic check from your bank yourself.

No fuss, no muss, no extra costs, and you have objective, rock-solid back-up proof in case there's a question about whether a payment was really sent. We've been doing this for years - works great for us.

Agree 100 percent!

[MajorMike]

Mine is set up to come directly every two weeks out of my checking account so there is no need to pay postage or anything. It is sent via an ACH

Can you set this up without having to garnish wages??? I would love to do this instead of having to send a check.

[MovingForward]

I know exactly how you feel...

every month I would go into the bank, head hung low and request my money order. However I did find a solution. For now on I am going to withdraw the money from my banks atm and drive down the street to the gas station where they do not ask who it is to. I'm a year into my plan and just figured this out. Well better late than never. Heck I may go to a different gas station / walmart for each of my remaining 49 payments. Sounds good to me. I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt that way. It's like, what business is it of yours. At least that's what you want to tell them.

[Reddrocket07]

I got a cashier's check for two of my payments, afterwards my paycheck is being automatically deducted. When I go to the bank, I dont really mind as much because we have 3 branches of my bank in town and I really do not care what strangers think of me. The most horrific thing for me is that my work now knows and the deduction on my pay stub says chapter 13. Even though its against the law for human resources to discuss my personal information, I know from experience that does not stop people from opening their mouth. Not to mention that I saw a client of mine at my 341 meeting. Now that was very embarrassing!!

[ccfriend]

Can you set this up without having to garnish wages??? I would love to do this instead of having to send a check.

When I filed the trustee's office sent me the form and they set it up actually. I switched bank accounts and just called the trustee and they changed the info for me. It has been very nice. I never have to worry about a late payment and since it is out of my checking account no one at my work has to know.

[EricaCallaha]

I wish. Our trustee only accepts certified funds (money order or cashiers check). We will be making payment #2 in a week and will send that puppy certified.

[MovingForward]

Humiliation

I thoght my reply went though but I guess not. Anyway, I totally know what you are saying. I have been in a chapter 13 since last May and while I am grateful that it does not need to be garnished by my wages (it would be horifying if my employer knew I was in bankruptcy), I find it troubling that the tellers at my bank know my business. Last month I decided to make my payments by getting a money order from gas stations etc., at least they do not ask for the identity of the payee. Anyway, I figure I have another 4 years in this so I will just visit a number of gas stations, walmarts etc. to keep my anynominity. Terrible but true. Thanks for shaing, what you had to say totally hit close to home.

[HARLEEBB]

I'm a bit surprised in this day an age that these payments are not set up so we can simply sign into a website and make a payment. I think relying on the mail is "stagecoach".

Ha

Thanks
Lee

[pcn]

Or automatically withdrawn from an account the same day every month, using a nice generic name, just like many other government entities do in the current electronic world.

[woeisme]

You are in a CH 13 to pay your debts, why should you feel embarrassed or humiliated? You are taking control of your life, your finances, and what you are doing is both lawful and moral, in my opinion. No, it's no one's business, but also, you shouldn't feel any shame for it either, in my opinion. I have mine garnished at work, and I know those biddys in the business office gossip, but oh well.

[BankruptinNC]

You are in a CH 13 to pay your debts, why should you feel embarrassed or humiliated? You are taking control of your life, your finances, and what you are doing is both lawful and moral, in my opinion. No, it's no one's business, but also, you shouldn't feel any shame for it either, in my opinion. I have mine garnished at work, and I know those biddys in the business office gossip, but oh well.

I completely agree. And furthermore, unless you work in a small company, it shouldn't really matter about gossip. For those of us who have filed and work in a larger company (such as a hospital in my case), these orders for wage garnishments for bankruptcy, taxes, etc, are something that the people in human resources see all the time. Trust me, they don't have the time to concentrate on one. If they did, they would be well behind on their job duties!!

[dave1512]

Cashiers check

I currently am under Chapter 13 with a payment of $1010.00 per month. What I do is have a cashier's check made out to myself. Write pay to the order of the Chapter 13 Trustee on the back and endorse it.
I have never had a problem.

[poor@budgeting]

My 2 cents:

Sending payments certified or priority with tracking is expensive $5+ or $300+ for the life of BK. If paying by certified check or money order, one has always a duplicate record. If paying by personal check, just make a copy of check prior to sending it in via regular fist class mail. Using express/priority etc does not guarantee 100% delivery/no lost/delayed mail - USPS is only responsible for reimbursement of postage.

Some banks charge $4 for cert check while USPS charge $1.50 up to $1000.
Does 'Chapter 13 Trustee' in the 'Pay To' when using cert check really necessary? - I don't think so.

[detroit9]

My first payment is due 3/27 and must be by certified check or money order. Should i feel any worse that these big corporations taking billions of dollars- of which I have assited in funding via my taxes? I understand the funny feeling but personally it is what it is. I'll be visiting my local bank or PO.

Oh, and my 341 is on 3/31, my birthday, lol...