Nicki, sounds like you found a great attorney.
First. No need to claim any expenses you do not have (like smokes). Bad juju.
Second. A Trustee expects that you have a Normal Human Existence. That means clean laundry, a limited social life, smelling right, dressing like you have a change of clothes when you come home from work, a TV that shows something other than snow, something other than a Justin Bieber haircut (please), and a vehicle that can roll under its own power. Take those hints. Nothing wrong with preventative maintenance.
Third. When you are up against the wall, friends - TRUE friends - can come through for you. Like loaning you a couple thou against your car. Of course, in this day and age, you need a lien against title, a notarized agreement to pay, and so forth. The nice part is that the payment can be anything you two agree on for any length of time, and so long as the loan is legit (and the money loaned spent on appropriate exemptions like auto repairs or a 6 month supply of TP, Ramen noodles, and prescriptions) then you have a legal and legitimate auto expense exemption significantly larger than your free cash.
Fourth. Having a full set of clean white teeth in your head is a perfectly responsible and healthy way to face a Trustee at a 341.
Last. I do NOT recommend or endorse this path, but I did attend a 341 where a petitioner had to respond to a Trustee's question about a $300/month booze bill. I believe he was allowed the expense based on originality when he responded that he "had a bit of a problem." I almost died laughing, though the courtroom was otherwise silent.
Bottom line - most Ch 7 petitioners would benefit from your lawyer, if they read between the lines.
First. No need to claim any expenses you do not have (like smokes). Bad juju.
Second. A Trustee expects that you have a Normal Human Existence. That means clean laundry, a limited social life, smelling right, dressing like you have a change of clothes when you come home from work, a TV that shows something other than snow, something other than a Justin Bieber haircut (please), and a vehicle that can roll under its own power. Take those hints. Nothing wrong with preventative maintenance.
Third. When you are up against the wall, friends - TRUE friends - can come through for you. Like loaning you a couple thou against your car. Of course, in this day and age, you need a lien against title, a notarized agreement to pay, and so forth. The nice part is that the payment can be anything you two agree on for any length of time, and so long as the loan is legit (and the money loaned spent on appropriate exemptions like auto repairs or a 6 month supply of TP, Ramen noodles, and prescriptions) then you have a legal and legitimate auto expense exemption significantly larger than your free cash.
Fourth. Having a full set of clean white teeth in your head is a perfectly responsible and healthy way to face a Trustee at a 341.
Last. I do NOT recommend or endorse this path, but I did attend a 341 where a petitioner had to respond to a Trustee's question about a $300/month booze bill. I believe he was allowed the expense based on originality when he responded that he "had a bit of a problem." I almost died laughing, though the courtroom was otherwise silent.
Bottom line - most Ch 7 petitioners would benefit from your lawyer, if they read between the lines.
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