Please help. Several questions

[famof6]

First of all, I am filling without a lawyer.

We have not been paying on most credit cards or student loans in a long time, with the exception of our income tax refunds going to my husband's student loans (offset). Will I need to know a monthly amount to list as bills? Even though they are dilinquent?

As of now, we would qualify under Chapter 7. We have paid rent on time since the beginning of our lease and are about to renew our lease for another year. Next question: Do we need to give the court clerk a check for the rent that comes due while in BK or do we sent the landlord the rent check as usual?

Another question: I have only had part time temp jobs during the last 6 months while my husband has had a full-time job. However, in August, I may start working full-time again (if I get hired). If I work full time, we most likely would not qualify under Ch. 7 anymore. Should we go ahead and file? Would they want to know there is a possibilty of me working full time soon? Would we have to show them my new salary if I do not get paid until over a month after filing?

I am sure I will have more questions later, but that is all for now. THANKS for taking the time to answer these.

[JRScott]

First of all, I am filling without a lawyer.

We have not been paying on most credit cards or student loans in a long time, with the exception of our income tax refunds going to my husband's student loans (offset). Will I need to know a monthly amount to list as bills? Even though they are dilinquent?

As of now, we would qualify under Chapter 7. We have paid rent on time since the beginning of our lease and are about to renew our lease for another year. Next question: Do we need to give the court clerk a check for the rent that comes due while in BK or do we sent the landlord the rent check as usual?

Another question: I have only had part time temp jobs during the last 6 months while my husband has had a full-time job. However, in August, I may start working full-time again (if I get hired). If I work full time, we most likely would not qualify under Ch. 7 anymore. Should we go ahead and file? Would they want to know there is a possibilty of me working full time soon? Would we have to show them my new salary if I do not get paid until over a month after filing?

I am sure I will have more questions later, but that is all for now. THANKS for taking the time to answer these.

You don't need the montly amounts per se, just the total owed. You do know that student loans cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy I assume.

You would send the rent check still to the land lord.

Ideally you'd not want a significant increase in income from the time of filing til the 341 meeting. At the 341 meeting the Trustee will ask has anything changed and if you have a new full time job you will have to disclose that. Thus its best not to accept the position until after the 341 if at all possible. If you've not been paid yet it wouldn't be possible to show income as yet, however he might take the number of the new place of work and name of a supervisor or HR personal to verify employment and expected wages.

If you have not done so I'd suggest getting the Nolo Bankruptcy book if you plan to file pro se.

[famof6]

Thanks, JRScott! That helps a lot. Yes, I have Nolo but I couldn't really find an answer to those questions, but your responses answer them. The job I would be seeking is as a teacher so it would have to begin in August. But we may still qualify as I took the means test. It will be cutting it close but it may work.
Thanks