Schedule J - what do you think?

[lookingforward]

Hi, I'm in Louisiana with a family of five. I have to sign off on my schedule J and I just wonder if someone with more expertise could look at it and give an opinion?
My lawyer filled this out. I guess he knows what he's doing.


Mortgage--------------735.00
Electricity-------------350.00
Water------------------50.00
Telephone-------------250.00
Cable/Internet---------155.00
Home Maint-------------50.00
Food-------------------650.00
Clothing---------------150.00
Laundry---------------40.00
Medical---------------100.00
Recreation------------100.00
Charitable-------------60.00
Insurance
Homeowners----------120.00
Auto-----------------330.00
INstallments
Auto-----------------246.00
Auto----------------400.00
Other
Personal Grooming-----80.00
Misc-----------------150.00
School Exp-----------300.00

[doingpoorly]

I am not at the point in this process that you are and I am still researching things, but looking on pacer at cases filed in my S, Fl district the following amounts look high based on what I have seen. The telephone and cable /Internet especially . I would be concerned that they would question my need for such extravagant plans since lower cost versions of these services exist.

Telephone-------------250.00
Cable/Internet---------155.00
Personal Grooming-----80.00

Also from what I have gathered here you may need to have proof of your charitable contributions from past tax years.

Additionally, I would inquire about the School Expense of 300.00 to see if it will be allowed.

If this were my schedule J, these are the areas that I would be concerned if they will fly with the TT or not.

[lookingforward]

Thanks for your advice!

[Frshstart09]

Wow, it seems your food expense is low for a family of five. I claim 600 for just two people. The IRS national standards allows a family of five an expense of over 800 dollars. I'm not saying to falsify your expenses. I'm just saying that you might want to check your receipts each month to see what you are actually paying :o)