Gambling Expenses?

[yomike]

I am meeting with an attorney to initiate CH13 proceedings next week. I wasn't asked to bring in bank statements, but read in the forum that the trustee will ask for them. My concern is that they will reveal significant gambling expenses on internet gambling. Of course, this is one of the issues that got me in trouble. How will this be viewed by the trustee? Is this going to be a problem?

[BK09]

very good question...........I would interested as well

[Flamingo]

It could be - make sure you discuss with your attorney.

[lrprn]

I am meeting with an attorney to initiate CH13 proceedings next week. I wasn't asked to bring in bank statements, but read in the forum that the trustee will ask for them. My concern is that they will reveal significant gambling expenses on internet gambling.

How recent were the withdrawals and for how much?

Also, have you used your cc's for cash advances or taken out other unsecured loans (i.e. payday loans)? If yes, when were those done and how much were those advances or loans for?

Of course, this is one of the issues that got me in trouble. How will this be viewed by the trustee? Is this going to be a problem?

What will matter are your answers to the questions I asked. Your trustee and creditors really don't care HOW you got into debt. But if you withdrew large sums from your accounts within a year of filing, your trustee could quesation that. If you took large cash advances on your cc's and showed no effort to pay those back, then your creditors will care about that.

As Flamingo already wisely advised, talk about this with your lawyer.

And if you haven't gotten help for your gambling problem yet, now is the time to do so. Some trustees will be more forgiving about recent withdrawals if you can show you are taking positive steps to stop your gambling. Do a search here in the forums - we've had a goodly number of other gamblers here in the same boat you are in, they got help from Gamblers Anonymous and other organizations like them, and never looked back. Good luck to you!

[yomike]

Hello:
In response to questions:
I have made multiple direct payments to gambling websites. They are all about $25. They are as recent as last week, dating back a couple years. Although very small amounts, there are many of them.

I have never taken cash advance or large withdrawls for gambling purposes.

[broncho14]

Gambling was one of the causes of my bankruptcy. My attorney had to go to negotations after the 341 over the payment. We got the amount per month reduced but one of the things we had to agree to was to have the payment to the Trustee taking out via payroll deduction. My attorney was also told that if I showed any more gambling on any income tax returns within the life of my bankruptcy then I would be at great risk of having my case dismissed. I have received counseling and it has been a great help but I did not go through GA but I have friends who did and it worked for them. One on one counseling worked for me. There is life after gambling and their is life in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. I actually have money in savings and that is not easy in a Chapter 13.

[BrokeRichGuy]

yomike, you need to go to GA. Whether or not you think you need it, your situation will be seen with less contempt and more sympathy from the trustee or the judge.