Means test - confusing & frustrating

[road warrior]

I want to file chapter 7. I have been to a lawyer and submitted all my bills, income, etc. for them to fill out a means test. Today in the mail, I got a letter from the lawyer saying I don't qualify for Chap. 7 because my disposable income is too high. I am seriously doubting the accuracy of the lawyers figures, so I'm trying to fill this out myself.

I am filing separately from my wife even though we are still married and live in the same house.
On line 17 of form 22A (means test), what is the Marital Adjustment? How do I come up with a figure here? She has her bills and I have mine, so do I total up all of her bills and enter it here?

There is no instructions anywhere that I can find on how to fill out this form and I'm about to pull out my hair!!!!

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Hey, I haven't filed yet so I don't know too much, but when I figured out I was going to have to file pro se (no $$ for an attorney) I bought the Nolo press book "How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy" and it has been a godsend -- explains every line of every form and how you get there. Best $30 I ever spent.

There's another book called "Bankruptcy for Dummies" or something like that (it's one of those yellow and black "Dummies" series books you see all over at the bookstore). I haven't seen it myself, but I have heard that it is also very good, and I've seen some posts here on this forum where it was recommended.

But all in all, I gotta tell ya, I can't imagine staring down that paperwork without that Nolo press guide. It will also tell you what you can handle on your own and what you will definitely need an attorney to help you out with.

Maybe others will have suggestions for you as well, but that's my 2 cents. Hope this helps!

[9877donna]

Road Warrior,I can't answer your question about the Means Test but I would definitely go to a couple other lawyers and see what they say.
Don't just leave it at the one lawyers word.Some want you to file Chapter 13 because there's more money in it for them.
Just make an app't with a couple more lawyers in your area first.
Good Luck.