How to spend money in my bank account before filing?

[lonewolf]

Some background on me, while I was married we had refinanced our main home with a 1st and second mortgage to buy 2 rental properties in Florida same area as our main home. We have since divorced and in the divorce I was awarded all 3 homes. She is on the main home mortgage, the 2nd mortgage and 1 of the rental homes (3 mortgages total).
She has quit claim deeded the homes to me but to my knowledge she is still responsible for the mortgages. There was nothing in the divorce that said i had to refinance to get her name off or anything.
We also have 2 timeshares (yeah stop laughing we did a double stupidity).
Again in the divorce she gets one and I get the other. We have not quit claim deeded them to each other yet although I have tried she has her excuses why she can't meet to sign.
After our divorce and the downturn of the economy I lost my renters and have not been able to get new ones in my rentals so I went behind on the mortgages. Wells Fargo who has the 2 rental properties and my 2nd mortgage has filed for forclosure on my 2 rentals.
I have since filed for bankruptcy chapter 7 with an attorney.
I make a little above the median income but he said i should be able to do a chapter 7.
I have stopped paying on all of my mortgages and my 3 credit cards as I am giving everything up and starting over. (my main home is worth about $130,000 less than what I owe).
I now have money in my bank that I need to spend before my attorney files in 2 weeks. I have about 2,700 that needs to be spent or the trustee will get it. I am already accounting for my exemptions.
Does anyone know how or what I can spend it on without raising red flags?

Thanks I appreciate all of your help.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Well in a short time, the red flag may still be seen, however you can spend it on exempt stuff like, stockpile food, blankets, essential items like that. Find your new apartment and put the deposit down, insurance, prepay it a bit. 2700 is not a lot of money and so find out what cash you can exempt for emergency purposes. 'Hub

[teacher]

Pay your car insurance policy in full (unless you need the monthly expense for your DMI), buy a big term life insurance???

just ideas

[novayalife]

Stock up on things you may need for the year. Food, some clothes. Tires for the car. Contacts, pay up front for car insurance, etc. It will go fast.

[LuciluS]

Ask your Attorney if you can Exempt the Cash.

We do not have much equity in our home or personal property, so when we file in 9/09 we will be able to exempt what is in our bank account and going to exempt $5,000 for our 2009 tax return.

Luci

[kenshirley]

We decided to keep our car via reaffirmation.
We had fees due shortly so I just paid them for the next two years.
In our state, as with most, should I get rid of the car the fees are refundable and transferable anyway.
It's a good way to eliminate a future bill by paying early and ahead.
And check with your DMV but a lot of states you can do this all online now very quickly.

[jeb]

Lone, my Attorney advised me I could pay down on something I was going to keep - home, car.

I did so on my car and it went through without a hitch.

IF you are in Fl and not keeping the homestead, you have an additional $4,000.00 as a wild card. - jb

[2xBK]

You're allowed to have 6 months worth of food and fuel. Buy gift cards. I hear that if you have a Wal-mart near you, one that has a gas station you can buy gift cards that are usable for either gas or food. You can disclose these gift cards without fear of losing them as long as you can show they will be used for food or fuel.

And as novayalife stated, go ahead and buy new glasses/contacts, tires, shocks, oil change, clothes, household supplies, etc. You can go through 2700 real fast if you think about it. Just don't spend it on anything frivolous and you'll be fine.

[lonewolf]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions and help.
I really appreciate it.

I file 6/26/09. Nervous as hell.

[mimijess]

and what happens if its not disclosed...?? how do they know u have 2,700 in the checking account if you don't disclose it? sorry to jump in...

[kenshirley]

Our trustee asked for copies of the bank statement for all accounts right up to the day before we filed for the last 3 months.

[mimijess]

but if you opened a new account before and still have the other account with the regular day to day transactions?? can they find out u have a 2nd account?

I just say this because in my situation I have to save money for 3 months advance rent once I go throu with my short sale...I have to save the money,..,.so I have to put somewhere

[Cheeseater]

Put it in your freezer that's what my wife does.

[kenshirley]

but if you opened a new account before and still have the other account with the regular day to day transactions?? can they find out u have a 2nd account?

I just say this because in my situation I have to save money for 3 months advance rent once I go throu with my short sale...I have to save the money,..,.so I have to put somewhere

The wants all accounts and assets divulged.

Let's put it this way, if they catch you lying they will dismiss your case.
Is that what you want?

[mimijess]

..maybe as someone mentioned...the best way would be to rent something before filing that way the 3 month advance rent is already paid for..

The wants all accounts and assets divulged.

Let's put it this way, if they catch you lying they will dismiss your case.
Is that what you want?