Finally sent all paperwork to attorney! Question about expenses...

[sjr1]

I think I may have under estimated and/or forgotten about a lot of our monthly living expenses. With a 16 month at home, I'm sure we spend a lot more than I think in diapers, wipes, food, etc etc.

When the attorney reviews my paperwork, will he "help" me remember some expenses for our means test and schedules? We are over the median income by about $9,000 so I'm hoping he will help us get there with our expenses.

By my calculations, we're at -$12 per month, so there's not a lot of room for error.

I didn't know if the attorney took what I sent as firm gospel, or if we have a conversation about it where he might help jog my memory to add to my expenses.

[laurannm]

Depends on the attorney. Speaking for us, our definitely helped us remember certain expenses that we would have otherwise forgotten.

Search around on these forums and you'll find references to all sorts of expenses that people sometimes forget about. Then you can bring these up to your attorney and he/she can give you an idea of whether or not they will fly in your district

[keepmine]

This is your petition-not your attorney's. If you have a feeling you understimated something, you likely have an idea of what that something may be. You need to be pro active and do all in your power to furnish accurate information. Your lawyer will have some general idea of expenses since, everyone needs things like food, shelter, transportation etc. But, they can't be accountable for expenses that may be unique to a particular person.

[sjr1]

yes, it's my petition but...

... since we're paying him almost $3,000, I guess I was hoping for a little hand holding as far as trying to remember everything. I was very thorough -- put everything in a bound notebook with dividers as to house/car info, creditor info, bank statements, etc. -- but in all that thorough-ness, I was worried that I was getting number burn out and perhaps left some things off.

[JollyGG]

A BK Expense Calculator to help remember all those everyday things we all forget to budget for. Great for helping with expenses for Schedule J.

http://www.ca-bankruptcy-attorneys.c...alculator.html

this is from "links for members" sticky in the general bankruptcy section.

Go through it and see if it can help you remember a few more.

Otherwise I would deffinately mention your concerns to your lawyer.

[justplaintired]

I know I worried about the same thing and when we sent the paperwork over, I called and the paralegal told me not to worry, she would look things over and make sure we met the expenses right. So, call your attorney and ask if they do the same. You will get a chance to make sure you like things before you sign anything anyway.

[Cali]

The money you pay him isn't for him to hold your hand. The money is for him to represent you and file your case.

My attorney said he would help us, but I have my expenses down to a science. He was very impressed with that.

... since we're paying him almost $3,000, I guess I was hoping for a little hand holding as far as trying to remember everything. I was very thorough -- put everything in a bound notebook with dividers as to house/car info, creditor info, bank statements, etc. -- but in all that thorough-ness, I was worried that I was getting number burn out and perhaps left some things off.