western WA ch 7 experience?

[jodabrooks]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with filing ch 7 in the western wa district. We are considering filing next week & have heard a few horror stories regarding the aggressiveness of the trustees in this district.

Quick low-down on our situation...
under median (family of 5); recently unemployed (temporary contract job to begin mid July, 1st paycheck not expected until after 341 mtg); 1st/2nd mortgage (want to keep house) no real equity in it; 100k cc debt; own 2 autos worth about 10000 ea. No other real assets, just typical household goods etc...; quit making cc payments in April; did make a few charges within the past 90 days, following loss of income.

Any insight to past/present experience would be greatly appreciated

[BobMango]

I filed in Western WA, Tacoma District. Lawyer was worried about one trustee that would take the last $5 from your account. We didn't get that one, so no problems. We used the Federal exemptions and applied our unused homestead to protect $15K equity in our truck and $10K equity in my motorcycle. I had about $8-9K excess equity that I could not exempt, but the trustee did not want a small herd of cattle so abandoned them. Got a few questions about assets sold or transferred before filing, but everything was above board so no issues.

Based on your situation I think you'll be ok.

[SeattleBK]

I didn't have any issues at all.

I filed in the Western Washington district in Seattle, and I exempted more than $5000 in cash and stocks with the federal exemptions.

I also exempted a small IRA as well as my salary that was earned, but not paid before the filing date. I gave up my car because it was cross collateralized and I don't own a home.

The trustee didn't ask me hardly anything. He really seemed disinterested in the little bit that I had.

[jodabrooks]

thanks for the info...this is just a really scary time...hope our case goes as smoothly as both of yours. we have nothing to hide & just want the system to work for us & provide us that "fresh start" without taking our last $5!