New Issue: Dental work before filing?

[vrspartak]

My wife and I are planning on filing Chap. 7 in January 2010. All my stuff is in order and I should be good to go, I haven't used any credit in awhile, no assets, etc. Yet, today I found out I'll need about $1,000.00 worth of dental work (all out of pocket). The dental office will allow payments, but I'll have about $800.00 left to pay when I file. Can I add this amount to my petition? It is not cosemtic dental work, but a filling fell out, and it's a root canal, and other stuff.

I don't want this to appear like I'm "running up credit" right before I file....but seeing as how I will not have filed Ch. 7 yet, will I be able to add it to be discharged? Thanks if advance.

[vrspartak]

ttt

[AngelinaCat]

I think you will be okay. You must take care of your health, and needed dental work to repair a filling and rood canal (ouch!) is part of maintaining your health.

We filed on Dec. 28, 2007. I fell in August of that year and broke my right arm and left knee. I was still undergoing treatment and therapy when we filed. Likewise, 'Hub had an accident with a skil saw on November 3 of that year which resulted in a life flight helicopter ride and emergency surgery.

Neither one of those incidents were planned, and we included the medical providers in our BK. BTW at the time we filed, none of the inusrances had finished doing their thing, so we put in a placeholder of $1.00 for each until we learned the true amount later on.

Good luck to you and get the work done.

[LimpDisc]

Will you be using your regular dentist?

We have had the same dentist for years and I'd be affraid to go back after including them in BK. Oops! I forgot to use enough anesthetic. LOL

I'd rather put the charge on my CC and make 3 months of payments to them before filing.

[NeedNewStart]

I think it would be wrong, us a CC if you must but dentist are usually small business and it's very trusting and them to allow people to make payments. Don't ruin it for the other patients.

[AngelinaCatHub]

I rarely do this but I disagree with Mrs. C. I agree you need the dental work and right away or the cost will go up. However, you know that you are not prepared to pay the whole amount. Don't even use the CC for this as you know you are NOT GOING TO PAY. This is a suggestion of fraud.

If this is the best you can do, tell your dentist when you file, that after your discharge be assured you will pay him off. It may not be a legal thing (it is btw) but you have to live with your own conscience and it would be wrong to shill this guy. Only my opinion. 'Hub

[vrspartak]

Thanks, for the advice. My understanding is that when I file my petition, I must list all of my debts...and this will be one of them. Thus,from a legal perspective, I am getting that this will be discharged. I understand the moral issues involved, and it seems like a bit of a quandry for me because any way you look at it, I have to get this done. I have no means of putting this on a CC and not a red cent in my name.....I do not like "stiffing" anybody, so if there is a way to repay the dentist I may......rest assured this is not my local dentist. This is a major, nationwide chain. Not that it matters, but somebody brought it up. Thanks again.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Thanks, for the advice. My understanding is that when I file my petition, I must list all of my debts...and this will be one of them. Thus,from a legal perspective, I am getting that this will be discharged. I understand the moral issues involved, and it seems like a bit of a quandry for me because any way you look at it, I have to get this done. I have no means of putting this on a CC and not a red cent in my name.....I do not like "stiffing" anybody, so if there is a way to repay the dentist I may......rest assured this is not my local dentist. This is a major, nationwide chain. Not that it matters, but somebody brought it up. Thanks again.

I'm not saying you have purposeful ideas of wrong doing. Yes you have to list them and that is why I said to let them know right before you file with an assurance that they would be paid. You might even suggest to their accounts receivables at that time, that you would reaffirm that little bit of money. I only mean, if you pre-know you cannot pay them just because it will be discharged, you are going into this knowing the facts. When we all got caught up in debt over our heads, nobody here intended to bk. This is different. Don't get me wrong, I'm not leaning on you, only giving you my opinion. 'Hub

[vrspartak]

I hear you, thanks. You're right too in that this is different, and in this case it would not sit well on my conscience to knowingly go through this and not say anything. I will definitely let the dentist know my situation, and do what I can to arrange for some kind of payment. If this is something that can be reaffirmed, I'll do it.

[whipster1]

The debt will get discharged, but after discharge you can pay anyone you want however much you want.

[AngelinaCat]

Whipster1 is correct. On the backside of the Discharge order is a list of types of debts NOT discharged: things like child support, income taxes, etc.

But it also says that you can VOLUNTARILY pay any discharged creditor you wish to. And that includes your dentist.

[vrspartak]

Ah, I was not aware of that...thanks. I guess I got my answer!

[whipster1]

You just can't make a deal with him beforehand...although I bet a wink and a nod will suffice

[TEW]

My wife and I are planning on filing Chap. 7 in January 2010. All my stuff is in order and I should be good to go, I haven't used any credit in awhile, no assets, etc. Yet, today I found out I'll need about $1,000.00 worth of dental work (all out of pocket). The dental office will allow payments, but I'll have about $800.00 left to pay when I file. Can I add this amount to my petition? It is not cosemtic dental work, but a filling fell out, and it's a root canal, and other stuff.

I don't want this to appear like I'm "running up credit" right before I file....but seeing as how I will not have filed Ch. 7 yet, will I be able to add it to be discharged? Thanks if advance.

I had 1K Dental work done just before I filed. It was discharged BUT I paid my DR.
I told him before he did the work what was going on he said he still wanted to do it and to pay if I could so I did.
I think Chase and CITI bank are one thing your DR is another. They don't have to take you back.