Made Appointment With Lawyer

[Ann]

All, please tell me what to expect now that I have made my first appointment with an attorney. I am so scared. Just the thought I have to do this makes me so ill. You all have given great advice to me so when I did talk with the receptionist she did tell me that the lawyer would want me to quit charging and paying on my credit cards and lines of credit. I knew what to expect so I feel a little more "empowered" than if I hadn't been here for the last few weeks. Wish me luck! Thanks to all of you for helping me!

[fooked]

fwiw, I can't file until November, primarily due to card usage and rental income... they want 3 statements from the cards with no transactions on them...

make a list of any and all of the questions you can possibly think of... print it out and bring it with you...

[MSbklawyer]

All, please tell me what to expect now that I have made my first appointment with an attorney. I am so scared.

The attorney will simply want to gather the facts: Who you owe; how much; secured or unsecured; income; assets &c. He'll probably give you a packet of questions to fill out about all of your debts, properties &c. You usually take that home and fill it out and bring it back on a later visit. If you'll PM me your email, I'll send you the questionaire so you can get a head start on it and give you something to do so you don't worry so much.

[backtoschool]

The attorney is going to want to know your debt load, your income, and what property you own. I brought my two years of income tax returns and my six months of unemployment "pay" stubs with me to the initial consultation.

[Ann]

Actually, I'm more worried about bringing my husband to this with me. He never used credit like I did BUT I had no choice when he QUIT very high paying jobs because someone or something at work made him mad or just didn't suit him. This happened over a period of several years. I kept telling him we just couldn't live on less money but he didn't listen to me. He never wanted to deal with the finances. One time when he did QUIT his job we had no income for almost 3 months. He started to get scared that maybe this time his luck at finding good paying jobs was running out so he took job that paid way less money. We lived on money from personal lines of credit all the while when my child was just beginning college. He never got it. I don't know what the hell he thought we were living on. He thought we were living on savings that never really was there. So here we are! I know we will come out of that lawyers office probably headed for divorce. More afraid of the arguing that will occur than actually talking with the lawyer. He realized the debt when he checked his credit score!

[NoMoreCards]

Ouch!! I feel for you Ann. Some close friends are in the same situation. He has no idea that she is having to charge to get by and eat. *sigh* Rough spot to be in.

The only thing I can suggest is to discuss this with your DH before the meeting with the lawyer. If he has looked at his credit report, he may have a general idea anyhow. But I think the conversation done in private might be easier on both you and him.

My thoughts are with you.

[Flowers]

Ann, good luck, I am so sorry you are feeling ill about this. Hopefully you will feel better and perhaps have a better relationship with DH. He should for sure go with you to see the lawyer.
The lawyer should be able to give you an idea of what you are looking at for filing strategy. Many many folks are filing these days.

[OhioFiler]

I would schedule an appointment with a marriage counselor as well as an attorney.

Best of luck to you.