My only post to this forum was back in October when I couldn't find the energy or nerve to begin my filing paperwork. The encouragement helped me do that and I filed 12/18/09 - my 341 is next week and I just received what appears to be a pretty standard directive from the Trustee regarding what to submit for the 341. I have an attorney and I hope he sent my tax returns because they were to be emailed or faxed 7 days before the 341 and I received that directive 6 days before the 341. I guess I'm just writing to reach out and update my status on the forum even though I haven't shared a lot of details or been active in responding to other people's posts - I just don't think I know enough about bankruptcy to answer some of the questions posed. My bankruptcy is pretty straightforward unless the trustee decides she wants to know a lot more about the business I closed last August when I began preparing for my bankruptcy. All my debt is personal as I used my own cash and credit for start-up and operational expenses.
I've read many posts in which people are extremely nervous about their 341 meeting and I would be lying if I said I'm not a little nervous - but I'm also relying a great deal on my attorney and the fact that I've been completely honest about everything. The only complication in my case is a mortgage on a house that is still in my name with my ex-husband because at the time we divorced nearly 3 years ago he couldn't qualify to refinance it and I wanted to preserve the house for the sake of my daughter who was choosing at that time to stay with him - that only lasted about 6 months and she's been living with me in another state for the past 2+ years. I have no animosity for my ex and I hope my bankruptcy doesn't create consequences for him. I know he's been talking to the mortgage company about refinancing in his name only and I really hope that works out so we can preserve the peace between us.
The irony of all this is that I sought the divorce, in part, due to our financial incompatibility because his desire for material things was always keeping us in debt and it kept me chained to a job in which I was burned out. I was so wrapped up in my personal angst in the spring of 2007 that I wasn't paying attention to the bigger economic picture and quitting a very high paying job, moving to another state, and starting my own business probably weren't the best financial decisions at the beginning of a huge global economic collapse. The greatest challenge for me in "starting fresh" will be finding employment in my field since I was self-employed for 2 1/2 years and I really don't have the professional reputation and references I had when I was traditionally employed. I'm trying to put a positive spin on my entrepenurial venture - but so far hiring managers aren't going for it - and they have literally thousands of other applicants with advanced degrees so I'm just a face in the crowd of middle-aged, over-educated white collar workers who are battling the horrible employment situation in this country.
So, I think I'm good for the 341 - honesty and candor are on my side. If anyone has any thoughts on the employment after bankruptcy situation, I'd love to talk about that - I'm happy to live without credit/debt but I would feel so much better about the situation if I could make more than nearly minimum wage at a survival job - I'm ready to move forward and make at least enough money to insure some stability in my financial future.
This is long - if you've read this far, thank you. Everyone thought I would be a "writer" and I've always had a professional edge because of my writing skills, but brevity isn't one of my strengths!
Comment