We OFFICIALLY filed today!

[mekia2001]

I said I was filing last week but that was actually just a meeting with the attorney.

Today we officially filed and we have a case number and the date of our 341. :c

I didn't realize how instantaneous the process would be. As soon as we signed the last document the attorney submitted everything electronically and gave us our case number within 3 minutes. Then 2 minutes later we had our 341 meeting date, which happens to be on my father's birthday. The only down side is that our Trustee assigned to our case apparently is very particular about things. Our attorney said he is the only one that requests copies of bank statements, vehicle titles and copies of our ID and SS card be mailed to him exactly 7 business days prior to our 341. This makes me a little nervous but I will try to not get too worked up over it. We have planned to watch our spending and we don't plan on using our debit cards unless its to purchase household items or medical expenses.

My only question is our rent was prepaid for this month and next because we knew that we would have to prepare for back to school shopping and we have to begin paying our kids tuition this month so we paid ahead so we wouldn't run into any issues. That wont cause any issues will it?

[cantbreathe]

Congratulations, Mekia2001!!! Please tell me about the peace from the BIG, deep sigh of relief first..the one we get before we begin our worry over the next thing we worry about...I've met with one atty, meeting with another Monday and am pretty certain to retain the one I am meeting with on Thurs. unless they are just too expensive. I am taking advantage of the free consults. We have lots involved, cc, medical , taxes, home mod, depository accts with debtors, a judgement.......a mess of paperwork , 3 dogs and chronic Migraines!

I don't know the answer to your question but am interested in the reply.

P.S. I love the happy smiley!!! I want to feel that way again.... :{

[tcreegan]

post file date spending

Hello mekia2001,

Check w/ your attorney about whether post-file date spending matters and post the answer please, I have seen conflicting opinions on the forum. Some say bank statements, etc. only up to the file date are counted/needed/looked at, others say up the 341 or up to discharge. Nice to have a straight answer....of course it may be different in different districts or even for different trustees.....sorry for you getting a stickler....

Tom in Colo

[mekia2001]

My atty said the Trustee needs statements from the day of filing going forward, but our Trustee is going to request more than what is needed just because he can. The atty told us not to worry the Trustee just has an authority issue and he used to be a Bk atty prior to becoming a Trustee.

[ccsjoe]

Mekia2001, Congrats.

Tom, according to my attorney, prior to 341 trustee can ask for stmts covering up to filing date, however at their discretion, they can ask for statements covering post-filing to 341 and beyond 341 (future) if there is any question.

Not saying this is the only answer, but one answer. I too have seen conflicting opinions.

[empowered]

Gosh mekia2001, sorry you got him. I'm amazed you found out the date of your 341 so quickly. Wish I knew the date of my own but I filed pro se so I suppose it takes time for them to send the notice.

At least you're prepared though. You should be fine since you know what to expect.

Good luck.

[Fallonedward]

I've seen folks mention this a couple of times.

So after you file and before the 341 you are not suppose to use your debit to pay for your expenses.

I will still have the same expenses post filing as pre, need to pay car, mortgage, food, gas, electric, clothing, etc.

Am I allowed to spend on these amounts?

[kartoons19]

I filed a week ago today and my attorney didn't say anything about not using a debit card. I did ask her about spending money because I have family coming into town next week and I know my expenses will be quite a bit more than usual (easy to do when you cut out all of the fun!) She said not to worry about it and to have fun with my family. She didn't even say that I needed to save receipts, but I do anyway. Even with her response, I will still try to limit my expenses. I'm also in Colorado, so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

[brokejoker]

Congrats on the filing!

We used our debit card only from the date of filing to our 341. It was the easiest way to track expenses! I even went back to school shopping before our 341 since that is included in our monthly budget plan. Be realistic and don't blow it on a trip to tahiti but you can definitely pay for your normal monthly expenses.

[mekia2001]

My atty didn't say not to use the debit cards but we use ours for everything and I looked over our statements and decided that we will use them only for what we really need. We plan on giving ourselves an allowance each week(taking a few dollars out of the bank) and using that for our daily crap(snacks at work, chips for the kids etc) and once we run out of money no more spending. That's our plan, hopefully we'll stick to it because I don't want the Trustee to see something and then we run into problems. I'm just nervous as hell that this Trustee is going to give us a hard time, the more I think about it the more I worry!

[ccsjoe]

Fallonedward,

Using your debit card for necessary, normal living expenses is perfectly ok. Use it for groceries, utilities, gas, household, the ocasional meal out (within reason). Please do not be apprehensive about it...just be reasonable. Use this as a measure...if you have to ask whether something is unresonable or excessive (like eating out 5 days a week for fun), then it probably is.

[Fallonedward]

Congrats on the filing!

We used our debit card only from the date of filing to our 341. It was the easiest way to track expenses! I even went back to school shopping before our 341 since that is included in our monthly budget plan. Be realistic and don't blow it on a trip to tahiti but you can definitely pay for your normal monthly expenses.

Thank you, didn't want to have to add an extra worry to all of this