Middle District in PA

[waitinggame]

Has anyone had an experience in PA with a Chapter 13? I am looking for any information related to the different schedules - particularly J, expenses.

Thank you for any info.

[klandsb]

I am in the western district. Had my 341 in Pittsburgh....Not sure if I can help u or not ...

[waitinggame]

wondering if you were allow entertainment expenses, household repairs that might come up in the future, health issues that might come up, appliances that might need repaired/replaced. All of those things are a probability during the next 3-5 years for us. Not sure how to expense it and if they are looked at.

[lrprn]

wondering if you were allow entertainment expenses, household repairs that might come up in the future, health issues that might come up, appliances that might need repaired/replaced. All of those things are a probability during the next 3-5 years for us. Not sure how to expense it and if they are looked at.

Allowed expenses for Ch 13 are based on what you are spending now with a possible 'tweak' toward what is "reasonable" for that expense in your local community.

It would make perfect sense to a filer that future expenses that are highly likely to happen during a five year Ch 13 plan (appliances die, cars die, houses need repair, medical costs happen, etc). However, the current bk law isn't written for the future. It's based on the last six months before filing and tilted towards your creditors to boot. (Be sure to thank your representatives from the 2005 Congress who are still around that voted for this craziness.)

That's why having a really good, experienced Ch 13 lawyer to work with to file your case is so important. Creating a solid plan that 'tweaks' to what you can get by on for five years and still be acceptable to your trustee is much more an art than a science. This is why filing Ch 13 without a lawyer is a bad idea 99% of the time - you don't know what's acceptable in your local court.

It's often these lawyer-suggested plan 'tweaks' that create just enough extra most months to build up an emergency fund to handle the inevitable but unpredictable events that *will* occur during an active Ch 13.

[klandsb]

There use to be a contributor on here that was a bk lawyer in the middle district of PA.... I will pm you his name. He seemed like a fantastic lawyer.... Just in case your looking ....

[waitinggame]

thanks for the help... I couldn't open

I really know that if I don't get my payments to something that works, it won't work at all. My lawyer is working okay, but not really interested in my point of view.


Thanks again.


Starting soon... this place has helped alot. Getting ready for the plunge

[klandsb]

did u mean u couldnt open your private message from me ??? Up in the left corner of this page go to : User CP
Then go to private messages
List Messages
Yes, lawyers tend to loose interest or dont see things the same way as we do.. Go figure, its not there money or debts, so they say it is what it is.... I will never complain about my plan right now... Just keep chugging along and making those pmts...

[waitinggame]

Thank you Kl. I got it. I googled, and got some information. Thanks again.

One thing that I am getting before filing is proof (estimates) of costs pending. We are going to need, and I mean need, repair of our electric service. I will need dental work done (getting estimates for that too). I wonder if those will be considered?

I would like to think that trustees are human, and if you present your case as honestly speaking... it should count for something. If I know what I can afford as far as payments and I know what I can't afford I would hope that they would work with me.

The first figure that the lawyer presented about knocked me on the floor. If I could pay that amount monthly, I would have continued to pay the CCs. I asked her to redo the schedules... wanting now to collect receipts and estimates.

This board has been very helpful. I visit quite a bit. Usually in the early morning when I can't sleep.