Your bankruptcy put in the newspaper

[thewife]

I have a question. Was anyone as nervous as I am now about someone finding out about your bankruptcy once it hits the newspaper? I have only told 4 people that I have filed, and I am NOT wanting people to know, especially not my In-Laws. My MIL was mentioning someone the other day that she knows that owes someone alot of money and she was telling me that this person is not an honest person if they cannot pay back the person that they owe. I told her that sometimes people just CAN'T pay back their debts. Immediately I got a sick feeling in my stomach. What will people think of me once they read about it?

I do know that it is in smaller print than the rest of the paper, it will come out on a Friday, but who knows when? I do not even know if my In-Laws read the legal notices, but we live in a small town and I am sure nosey people will be talking

Did any of you actually have someone come right out and mention seeing your bankruptcy listed in the newspaper? That was my BIGGEST fear this whole process. I love my In-Laws dearly and I do not want them to be ashamed of me. I wanted to tell them in advance so they knew, but why tell them if there is the possibility of them never finding out?

They have had my creditors call their house for me before, and my MIL works where I work, and she has answered the phone when my creditors have called, and she has been the one to receive the faxes that they sent. I told her I was on a payment plan, and they were still harassing me, which was true.

Sorry to ramble on....

[BKOnce]

If you really care about them, you had already tried to avoid debts diligently so hard long time ago. But if you don't care about them, then why ask?

[tay666]

I don't understand the stigma that goes with BK.
Once we finally get to the point of filing, I will be so happy I will probably tell anyone that ask, and half the people who don't.

Sure, it sucks not being able to pay all the bills.
But a lot of this was out of our hands.
I am making the correct financial decision for me and my family.
Something that will move us forward and hopefully better our life.
What is there to be ashamed of in doing that?

[JollyGG]

If your town does put it in the paper and they may find out either by reading it themselves or by a friend mentioning it to them I would deffinately tell them.
They might be upset at first, but they love you and they will get over it. It sounds like your MIL already know you are having financial problems.

[SinkingFast]

Ours was in the paper. It's a small town. So far, no one has said a word to us about seeing the posting.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. The people who really care for you will be there to support you when you need it.

[Misha707]

If you're doing what you know is best for you, then what does it matter what others think? If anyone thinks badly of me because I did what I felt necessary to move on with my life, then that's a person whose opinion doesn't count to me. I made the best decision for me.:

[cso5@]

My aunt mentioned seeing the posting in the newspaper....

My aunt mentioned seeing the posting about my bankruptcy in the newspaper to my mother, which was awkward for my mom.

Especially 'cause she wouldn't leave it alone...."thought she has a really good job??" "doesn't her ex pay good child support??" "look at her house, it's a wreck, she sure is not spending all her money on home improvement!!"

Which, how crass. But she's always been like that. I personally didn't care, but I know it was awkward for my mom. (this aunt is my mom's sister).

[HeatherB]

At first I was worried. But then, after I told a few people I found out they filed, too. Actually quite a few people filed that I didn't know about until well after.

I live in a very small town, too. I don't care what everyone says about me because I don't know but two families that live here. I guess if I grew up in this small town, it might make a difference, but I didn't.

[Run]

It helps to do a court records search and find out how many of your relatives filed without you knowing about it. Try it!

[thewife]

Thanks. You guys made me feel better! The only person I am really concerned about is my MIL. They have been so nice to us, always asking if we need money, and we never take it because we do not want them to think that we are not managing okay. I hear that it will come out after the 341, but I am not sure. It gives me a little bit of time to decide if I want to tell them or not.

[whatamess]

My aunt mentioned seeing the posting about my bankruptcy in the newspaper to my mother, which was awkward for my mom.

Especially 'cause she wouldn't leave it alone...."thought she has a really good job??" "doesn't her ex pay good child support??" "look at her house, it's a wreck, she sure is not spending all her money on home improvement!!"

Which, how crass. But she's always been like that. I personally didn't care, but I know it was awkward for my mom. (this aunt is my mom's sister).

WAIT! Are you my relative..this sounds like my family. They never let ANYTHING go.
Its funny because I searched Pacer in my maiden name and found out my Uncle filed, two of my second cousins and a bunch of more distants in the last 10 years.
People in glass houses...
WAM

[guzzie]

hi......now that I'm discharged I couldn't give a rats a*$ about who knows...its my life and my decision....they don't publish them where I live in western pa.....good luck.....guzzie

[Lindsay]

It helps to do a court records search and find out how many of your relatives filed without you knowing about it. Try it!

I searched PACER on all of my relatives, friends, and neighbors. About half of them had filed either Chapter 7 or 13 in the last 15years! I was really shocked because some of my relatives that filed I consider to be pretty well off. A few of them filed twice. Only one of them told us that they filed, so the rest of them kept it quiet.

I don't think its right that bankruptcies are published in the newspaper. Some papers don't publish them so it must be optional. Our newspaper does publish them. The other day I was watching the paperboy to see how many of my neighbors receive the daily paper! Bankruptcy is a public record so if someone wants to know, they can find out anyway, but it is a little embarrassing to get your name in the newspaper. My 16 year old daughter has my maiden name as I was unmarried when she was born. She says jokingly, "I'm glad we don't have the same last name, Mom!"

[Bandit]

Hey, my name in the paper will be my 15minutes to fame. I do not know anyone here anyway so I wont be all that famous.

[Carlysmom]

This is what I am going through today, I'm glad I found this thread. Ours was in todays paper, so I've been on edge all day to see if anyone calls me or says anything to me. As DH says, its nobodys business. We've only told one person, and she said she doubts that anyone reads that section anyways. So, I'm glad I found this thread!