How do you keep track of your trustee payments?

[bkinthecouv]

I'm getting ready to send in my first trustee payment. I'm not on a payroll withholding plan. I mail my payment directly to the trustee. Since you can not use personal checks, I'm wondering how people in similar situations keep a record that the trustee received and applied your payment correctly.

[BNKRPTinNC]

My trustee uses 13datacenter and I can see how payments are made. Perhaps yours does the same. Check it out and it's free!

[Flamingo]

If you have no way to check online, keep copies/receipts of the cashier's check or money order (however you are specified to send in). With each payent I enclosed a dated letter. You can send Priority Mail if you wish and have it tracked. Your trustee will or should provide you every six months with an update on your Plan after confirmation. Believe me, if a payment is not received for any reason, you will be notified. If you have all your copies and records you will be fine. Never be late with any Chapter 13 payment. If you feel you are having a problem and cannot make that payment or any other bill payment during your Plan, contact your attorney right away...don't let your mortgage, plan payment, utilities go late...

[Billssuck]

I also use 13datacenter and my trustee is very quick at posting items. However, I have read on here where other districts aren't so quick/good at keeping the site updated so some people mail the payment via certified mail/return receipt and that lets them know that it was received.

[bkinthecouv]

Thanks. I did not think of sending priority mail, that's a good idea.

[newbie2]

The first check I sent in I waited until it cleared, then made a copy of the cancelled check.

Since each payment after that has been by payroll deduction I also save every pay slip that shows the deduction.

Also, I have saved all bank statements as they show the direct deposit amount of the paycheck (less the trustees payment.)

If any of the payments ever get *lost* I have clear proof that they were paid.

[lrprn]

We make our trustee payments through our bank's Bill Pay feature. That way we have reliable independent confirmation the payment was sent. I set it up so the payment is sent automatically on the same day each month - makes forgetting to send it impossible!