Question about receipts and expenses prior to 341

[kartoons19]

I am going to be retaining an attorney next week for a Ch. 7. I hope to file by the end of June. I have a no asset case and am well under the means level. I've been living on a cash basis for over 2 months and saving all my receipts. My question is do they look at your expenses up until the time you file or until your 341? Do I need to save receipts until the 341?

The reason I ask is that my Dad will be visiting and given the time frames, he will probably be here a week before the 341. I would like to take him out to dinner and maybe the theatre, and do some touristy things, which all cost money. I've been very frugal with my money for some time, but would like to be able to treat him to some fun while he is here. Will an increase in my expenses for that week be a problem? I realize when they talk about "luxary" expenses they are look at bigger ticket items, but I am trying to avoid any problems. I hope to file sooner so that my 341 will be over by the time he arrives, but not sure that will happen. Any feedback you have would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[helpmeout]

They didn't look at mine. Which is probably a good thing as I didn't keep receipts. All except for the time I had to go and purchase a fancy outfit (which I made sure was casual enough for work, as well) for an awards dinner at work because the outfit that I was going to wear had a zipper malfunction the day of the dinner and there was no time to get it fixed. I did keep that receipt, I also obsessed over this "extravagant" purchase. For nothing. I wasn't even asked about it. I didn't even have to give the Trustee the complete bank statment for the last 6 months. Just the page that showed the beginning balance, credits, debits and ending balance for the last 6 months.

Keep the receipts but don't overly worry about it. The 341 really isn't as bad (as long as you aren't trying to hide something) as your imagination will make it out to be.

[kartoons19]

Thanks Help,

I know in the scheme of the things, the money I spend that week won't be that much, but it will be a lot more than I have been spending as I have been very frugal.

Do they just look at your income and expenses up until the file date or until the 341 meeting?

Thanks.

[Fresh]

I was asked to provide only the interim period between the 6 month look-back period and the actual filing. The trustee wanted any paystubs and bank statements. No request for expenses per se.

~Fresh~

[frogger]

BK is based upon your filing date. It is a snapshot in time of your financial condition.

And as I've heard said more than once, bk is a snapshot, not a motion picture.

Save everything and be able to document up until the date you file. After that is a new life.

Good luck.

[kartoons19]

Fresh and Frogger,

That's good to know. I have been saving receipts, pay stubs, etc., so all is good. I like the analogy of the bk being a snapshot and not a motion picture.

Thanks for your help.

[liz417]

I saved all my receipts for a whole year because I claimed a lot more on my expenses, the Trustee never even asked for them As for bank statements, I think they are looking for big deposits and withdraws, etc.