Trustee (assistant) wants to how how I am paying for my expenses!

[JackBondLove]

My income has been very low for quite some time, and basically I filed the Chapter 7 when the cash ran out. I am now taking early distributions from my retirement account just to survive (getting food stamps as well) for the time being until I figure out my next career move. I basically responded with this to the assistant.

I would think that most folks that are unemployed (and have run out of unemployment) are hitting the retirement accounts as well.

[keptdigging]

That's my plan... if I can ever line up an attorney (they're quite busy these days.) I figure at least I can get a Ch 7 (as opposed to a 13) out of this...

[liz417]

I think a lot of people are doing the same thing, especially with the economy the way it is...your Trustee's assistant must be new

[nc73]

No retirement account here...staying with parents

[researchmode]

(This has not been okayed by my attorney yet, we're meeting Monday to go over this.) I plan on including all my expenses (monthly and yearly broken down in 12 payments) in my budget, *whether or not* I can currently afford to pay for them.

Even though I haven't been able to afford to go to the dentist, I'm definitely including that as an expense. And since I'm not paying my credit cards anymore, I'm going to go in May to get that taken care of. I've been putting off my oil change (not by much) but I'm including four oil changes a year in my expenses.

Does that make sense? I'm not sure if that's okay yet or not, but to me I still have expenses even though I chose to make minimum CC payments for awhile instead of taking care of myself.

[jadams]

I think it's a rather standard question. We may be surprised at how many times they get an answer that doesn't match the paperwork "oh I picked up a second job" or something like that.

He or she is probably just verifying you have an answer that makes sense and doesn't suggest something funny with your paperwork.

My Trustee asked several times in different ways how I was getting to work, how I was grocery shopping, etc because I listed no car on my paperwork and live in an area that is not walking or public transportation friendly. He did the same thing to someone before me and they suddenly remembered an old beater car that they use but had not listed.

[keptdigging]

I once read a story where a TT asked an attorney: "Was your client naked when they came in to sign their papers?"