Meeting today

[may]

Today I have a meeting with a lawyer. She said they require $100 cash at min. to come in today. We spoke for about 10 mins on the phone last night and she said that it sounds like Chapter 7 is what we'll need to do. She said that it would be $1200 total. (She'll take payments) We haven't met with any other lawyers, but I just want to get this done and over with. I have a few situations that I want to run by you guys and see if you can help me figure it out.

We're about $250 in the hole every month before paying any CCs that we owe. ($21k in CCs) We have a camper that we'll be filing ($170/mo) and my car ($318/mo) We should be good if we just file those things, right? Now my question is how will I get a car? I have to have a car to drive to work. How will I purchase a car if I have no credit?

The lawyer told me to stop paying bills that we're not going to keep. So how long before they take everything? Camper? Car? We've been paying my car but we're 2 months behind on our camper.

Right now things are so tight that I'm having to figure out what to pay. If I pay our mortgage, DH's truck, my car, and car insurance we're already low on money. If I add our Christmas club money in we still need to pay our power bill, internet, cell phones, and TV. And that's still not enough.

Help!! Do I meet with this lawyer and just get the ball rolling?

[Steelerbabe]

I thought most lawyers offered free intial consultations. What if you go, spent $100.00 and decide that this isn't the lawyer for you? Are they any lawyers in your area that offer free consultations? I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I hate to see you throw $100.00 away when money is so tight.

[may]

I thought most lawyers offered free intial consultations. What if you go, spent $100.00 and decide that this isn't the lawyer for you? Are they any lawyers in your area that offer free consultations? I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I hate to see you throw $100.00 away when money is so tight.

Well her website said "Free Phone Consultations" but I called at 4:55 and her office closes at 5:00. She was willing to talk to me and ask questions anyway. What do I need to look for in a lawyer?

I do agree with you which is why I'm asking. I can't afford to blow $100.

What does this mean?

Please be advised that we are a Debt Relief Agency that helps people file under the Bankruptcy Code

[may]

I've made an appt with a lawyer really close by but I've canceled once and didn't show up for the second appt. I've been getting cold feet. I don't feel like she'll want to work with me since I've canceled on her twice. Or are lawyers used to that?

[HakunaMatata]

Even if you feel the need to take immediate filing action, I suggest you interview a few attorneys. The interviewing process aids in gaining knowledge, perspective, and comfort. It can also spur a bit of confusion as attorneys may foster varying views (for me, this forum aided in unraveling such!).

One of my initial vis-a-vis consultations involved a fee (following a phone consultation). Prior to consenting to this, I learned this fee would be applied to the overall cost should I select this attorney. I agreed to meet with this attorney as he was highly recommended. My other consultations were free.

All consult attorneys recommended ceasing payments on unsecured and secured property I intended to surrender. I was reluctant to follow attorney advice prior to retaining an attorney. I wanted to understand the full course of action and my C7 fit prior to making austere payment changes. My case was much easier than I had perceived; and, I discovered my consult attorneys were correct.

Regarding your car...if you intend to surrender, you will have to determine how to secure a new car. You may be able to obtain financing prior to filing or you may be able to save adequate funds by not paying current creditors to pay cash for a car (be sure your exemptions will protect the car).

I'm sure attorneys have dealt with pre-BK cold feet. Making the decision to file doesn't come with ease for everyone. For some of us, meeting with attorneys is a challenging first step. This first step oftentimes warms up the feet giving us confidence and direction.

[may]

I guess I just feel like I've dragged this out enough. I'm just ready for a game plan. I've made a list of 7 lawyers and I'll call them when I go to lunch.

[may]

I called another lady yesterday and she was very upbeat and friendly. We met with her last night for a free consultation.
First she was soooo nice! Very helpful and didn't rush to tell us everything and answered our questions with explaining everything so well! At first she thought Ch7 was the way for us to go. Then after talking to us she feels like Ch13 would be best. Especially since we'd like to keep our cars if we can. She told us she could bring down the interest rates on our cars down to 5.25%. And we'd pay 10% of our 26k CC debt. $2600 in 3-5 years!!! Wow! That would be amazing! She was going to work up the figures and get back to us by the end of the week or Monday. We felt so good walking out of there. Just knowing we have a plan or options felt sooo good. DH talked to me about it the whole way home. Which was a first. He never talks to me about any of that.

[Steelerbabe]

I'm glad that things went well. I understand the stress this can have on a marriage and it is good that hubby opened up to talk about it.

[may]

I'm glad that things went well. I understand the stress this can have on a marriage and it is good that hubby opened up to talk about it.

Thank you!

My question is now what? Will we need to come up with the money to pay before we get everything started?

[DSIG]

may--if you are going to file ch 13 I think that your attorney's fees can be paid through the plan. Ask her if you can pay her that way instead of upfront. somewhere on the schedules you have to list what has been paid to the attorney, and the actual plan will list attorneys fees, if applicable. My priority of payment was 1. Trustee; 2. IRS; 3. Unsecures. If you pay the attorney through the plan they would be on this priority list somewhere. i paid mine before I filed but have seen where the plan can pay them

[klandsb]

For a Chapter 13 I had to pay $ 750 upfront for retainer & filing fees. The rest is in the plan. I believe the lawyer gets paid first if I am not mistaken.

[whipster1]

If you have a steady job, that helps the attorney know that her fee will get paid through the plan. Most will want about 1/3 up front. Here in the Southern District of TX the chapter 13 fee is a standard 3085 plus filing fee of 274. I'm sure the set amount varies by district.

Didn't the attorney give you a quote?