New here--and just have so many questions.

[JEM]

Our first payment missed was on August 14, 2009. Were waiting 4 months to file so some income can drop off. We used our funds from not paying to do exactly what you asked about. The house needed some repairs and one car needed some work. We also purchased a new car to pass the means test.

We were very nervous about not paying our cards because our credit history was very good and we thought getting sued or garnishments. Our attorney assured us that we had nothing to worry about being we would file within 6 months.

My credit score has dropped a lot over the past 3 months, but it's just a number.

I know in TX they can't garnish, but I am a little worried about them going after our bank account on payday or something.

[JEM]

Just to add a little to MI BANKRUPTCY's post: Make sure to download the copies of your bank statements and cc statements from the website NOW. Do it before you stop paying on the cc's. Once you stop paying all of your access is cut off from the websites.

Download as far back as you can (because its easy). Don't print anything unless your attorney or the Trustee asks for it (saves a lot of ink that way).

In a case like yours, reaffirming the recent auto purchase sounds fine. You got a good rate and did not go crazy with the payment.

Yes you can take that $2000 or whatever you get for the old vehicle and pay your attorney. It is perfectly allowed - no questions asked!

Make sure you get the right attorney. There is one you should stay away from in Tx, PM me and I will tell you who it is.....

Thanks! I will do that this weekend!

Now, since we plan on making payments and keeping the new auto---the CU shouldn't restrict our online access correct?

In a way I'm relieved about getting the car now, I now it'll be a LONG time before we get a 3.4% interest rate again. The car is a 2008 and only has 20K miles. So it'll be reliable. Both of our other cars were becoming very UNRELIABLE. At least we will have ONE that we can count on now.

I *hope* that after we file--and get back on our feet, we can actually pay it off somewhat quickly since it's a pretty low payment and we only financed $12,500.

[StartingOver08]

The CU might cut you off from your online access until the discharge. I would have a back up account anyway JIC.

I was cut off from my CU access, but I did BK a 2nd mtg and a visa with them (reaffirmed a vehicle). They never restored my online access because they took a loss on the visa and the 2nd mtg. I don't think that will apply to you...but be prepared.

[OhioFiler]

I'd consider finding another newer car with a $200ish monthly payment if you truly have that kind of disposable income on schedule J. No sense in being forced into a Chapter 13 stuck driving that old van of yours.

[JEM]

I'd consider finding another newer car with a $200ish monthly payment if you truly have that kind of disposable income on schedule J. No sense in being forced into a Chapter 13 stuck driving that old van of yours.

I've been working on a budget today--I'll post it later after I go over it with dh--but I think our disposable income will be right under $200.

I have a few questions about lowering our disposable income by...

1) adding dental insurance through dh's job--it would be $45-50 month (I think--we haven't looked at it in awhile)

2) Having the alarm system in our home monitored through an alarm company (it's currently not being monitored) Probably going to run $35ish a month

3) Lowering the deductibles on our auto insurance from $500 to say $100

These are things we've wanted to do for awhile--but because money has been tight for so long--we have chose not to.

[whipster1]

Open a bank account with a bank that you owe nothing to. Even if you reaffirm there may be problems accessing your accounts. DO NOT USE WELLS FARGO they will freeze your accounts whether you owe them or not.

[JEM]

Open a bank account with a bank that you owe nothing to. Even if you reaffirm there may be problems accessing your accounts. DO NOT USE WELLS FARGO they will freeze your accounts whether you owe them or not.

Is that going to look "weird" opening a new bank account now?

I suppose we could go to another local CU---just in case.

We have savings accounts at USAA (albeit empty accounts)--but we'll be discharging debt with them--so those accounts are out.

[whipster1]

Yep I had USAA and am unable to use the online features, though they did not close my account. My car insurance is up next month and hopefully they let my keep using them.

I opened an account with a local CU shortly before filing. What part of TX are you from? I'm in the Southern District which covers Houston down to Brownsville.

[JEM]

Yep I had USAA and am unable to use the online features, though they did not close my account. My car insurance is up next month and hopefully they let my keep using them.

I opened an account with a local CU shortly before filing. What part of TX are you from? I'm in the Southern District which covers Houston down to Brownsville.

San Antonio area.

We've been thinking of changing insurance anyway. We recently with with another company for our homeowners because they beat USAA by A LOT. So we are thinking of going with the same company for auto.

The only thing I'm worried about with USAA is our life insurance. Dh and I both have term life insurance policies with them.

[OhioFiler]

I've been working on a budget today--I'll post it later after I go over it with dh--but I think our disposable income will be right under $200.

I have a few questions about lowering our disposable income by...

1) adding dental insurance through dh's job--it would be $45-50 month (I think--we haven't looked at it in awhile)

2) Having the alarm system in our home monitored through an alarm company (it's currently not being monitored) Probably going to run $35ish a month

3) Lowering the deductibles on our auto insurance from $500 to say $100

These are things we've wanted to do for awhile--but because money has been tight for so long--we have chose not to.

These are all acceptable normal expenses. I lowered the deductible to zero on the auto insurance.

If you're a USAA member you can get your alarm monitoring for less, more like $25 per month.

[JEM]

These are all acceptable normal expenses. I lowered the deductible to zero on the auto insurance.

If you're a USAA member you can get your alarm monitoring for less, more like $25 per month.

If we include USAA debt when we file--will they take away perks like alarm monitoring discounts?

[shabam]

Setup an answering machine and clearly state your name and number. Otherwise they will track your family members and everyone under the sun down.

Do not rush to file. Take your time. I waited over 6 months between last payment to filing.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

I quit paying JULY 08 put a retainer down on my attorney In August Paid attorney in full and filed NOV 08. Do not ignore collection calls. So, go meet with some attorneys quit paying credit cards and everything you don't want anymore. After you find a attorney ask how much to retain them. When you have retained an attorney send all the collectors to them. Don't forget to pull your free credit report to make sure you have included all your debts. I created this script for my wife and me a couple of times to talk to creditors. Good Luck..

** Do not deviate from this script**

Hello,

May I ask who is calling (if they don’t tell you who is calling ask the question again) This phone call is being recorded if you do not wish to be recorded please hang up now.

This is Mr. or Mrs. I am currently filing for Bankruptcy if you believe I owe you a debt you will have to contact my attorney for further information.

Would you like my attorneys name and contact information?


If they harass you your reply is:

My attorney can answer your question would you like his/her name and contact information?

Since you do not wish to contact my attorney regarding your question I must terminate this call. Have a Nice Day (Hang Up)

*** I never recorded one call*** This was just an incentive to get the person calling me to take my information down so it removed me from their calling list, it worked great, barely received any calls.***

[OhioFiler]

If we include USAA debt when we file--will they take away perks like alarm monitoring discounts?

No.

[JEM]

Today was spent rounding up as much "paperwork" as I could.

Gathering all of our paystubs, downloading bank statements etc....

How many months will we need on CC and bank statements?

I figure paystubs will be the 6 months look back from filing time?

Even if we don't file till Spring, at least I have a start on some of the paper gathering, and getting organized.