DMI for PA Question

[sunshinepa]

Does anyone know what you can have in DMI for PA? I am $700.00 below on "means test" and qualify for CH 7. But after expenses, have $138.00 DMI. Single and really want the 7.

Any response is appreciated...maybe from some prior filers??

Thanks!

[Maine]

This is a good starting place to find hidden expenses you might have forgotten: http://www.ca-bankruptcy-attorneys.c...alculator.html
I thought I had remembered everything, and found $200 ish in things I had not even considered. (now I am worried that a dmi of negative $550 looks bad.)

[sunshinepa]

Thanks for the response but I think CA is alot better for expenses than PA from what I read in postings here. That's why I wondered if any filers knew the answer.

I guess I can come up with a few dollars more if needed but I would think 138 a month DMI should fly.

[Maine]

If you can be honest and still get your DMI close to zero that is in your best interest. $138 might be enough for a really gung-ho trustee to try and roll you into a 13. If you have student loan payments in your Schedule J this is even more important. They can make you recalculate based on no loan repayment- saying instead that if you need to do a 13 because your loans can go into forbearance and you would have ample DMI to pay creditors.

That is why I sent the CA link- just to help jog your memory if you forgot some things you spend on (I forgot haircuts.) The CA paperwork is the same sched J we all use, that is just a list of possible expenditures.

[ccsjoe]

According to my attorney, a good DMI point for trustee purposes is between $50 and $90.

[sunshinepa]

Maine......thanks for the extra info. I thought haircuts and such were included in the personal care catagory....am I wrong?

Joe.....thanks for your input.

[Maine]

They are Sunshine, but I did not even think of them, I had personal care at the cost of toothpaste and deodorant. Needless to say a few store items was about $10/mo compared to 6 week haircuts for the family.

Joe's info sounds accurate

[sunshinepa]

Thanks again Maine. I have yet to consult atty's as I still need about 2 mos. to let some cash advances/balance transfers age a year. I just stopped my cc payments....LOL...took Citi all of one day late to call...it begins.

I will have added expenses in personal care due to a bowel resection and the needs that arise from having that done and the extra medical expenses.

Will start interviewing atty's the end of the month as I can hopefully file in Dec....can't wait!

[Dj1995]

Ok, I'm a little confused on this one - My form says that if you are below the median income for your state, check the box "the presumption does not arise" and DO NOT complete parts IV, V, VI, and VII, which is where DMI would come from - is that correct? Did I miss something? Am I reading it wrong? I'm really confused now!

Thanks!

[ccsjoe]

Your means test simply determines whether there is a presumption of abuse, and yes, there is a DMI should you need to complete calculations. However, in your case, your DMI is going to come from filling out Schedules 6-I and 6-J and getting the difference. Be sure to use your real expense costs for schedule J, not the IRS averages. Good luck.

[Dj1995]

Thanks for the clarification!

[tcreegan]

below median = neg DMI

Hi Dj1995,

I think that if you are below median you are assumed to have neg DMI on the means test. At any rate, you do not have to worry about it on the means test.
Work on Sched I and J as cssjoe said...

Good luck with it all,

Tom in Colo