First time meeting with an attorney...

[Depressed]

Meet with the first one today. Went about as bad as I thought it might. As soon as he heard I was over the median income, he said Chapter 13 was the only way to go. (I'm over by $500 a month). Never even asked about expenses, and rolled his eyes when I mentioned the means test on Legal Consumer. Said the "information on the internet is unreliable". Seemed quite surprised when I used terms like 341 meeting, schedules I & J, and negative DMI. Wanted a $1000 upfront to even look at my numbers when I said I was still interested in a Chapter 7. The only good thing to come out of this meeting was that I found out the price (or at least his) for a Chapter 7 was a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.

Is an over the median Chapter 7 really that hard for these attorneys, or is it just the extra $1750 they get for going Chapter 13 that motivates them?

[MSbklawyer]

Meet with the first one today. Went about as bad as I thought it might. As soon as he heard I was over the median income, he said Chapter 13 was the only way to go. (I'm over by $500 a month). Never even asked about expenses, and rolled his eyes when I mentioned the means test on Legal Consumer. Said the "information on the internet is unreliable". Seemed quite surprised when I used terms like 341 meeting, schedules I & J, and negative DMI. Wanted a $1000 upfront to even look at my numbers when I said I was still interested in a Chapter 7. The only good thing to come out of this meeting was that I found out the price (or at least his) for a Chapter 7 was a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.

Is an over the median Chapter 7 really that hard for these attorneys, or is it just the extra $1750 they get for going Chapter 13 that motivates them?

I wish these lawyers that dabble in bankruptcy and don't know what they're doing would just quit damn doing them. That's embarrassing. Where are you, depressed? If not too far away, may I can commend someone to you.

[HHM]

We do talk about over median chapter 7's on this forum, but they really are not that easy as there is only 3 ways to do it. (well, the 4th is special circumstances)

1. Veteran, on active duty when debt occurred.
2. Non-consumer debt
3. Your "secured' expenses are what cause you to not have DMI.

So it is not just that you have too much expenses, it is only certain expenses that can be over the allowed. In that sense, it is somewhat cut and dry. For example, if you are over median but "rent" (instead of having a mortgage), your housing expense will be limited to the IRS standard, regardless of your rent. However, if you have a mortgage, because it is a secured debt, you can claim the entire mortgage on part II means test.

[JEM]

I've seen 3 attorney's so far.

I've told all 3 that we are *just* over the median because of some OT my husband has been working and a one time $1000 bonus he received in Sept.

None seemed to think it would be an issue if we wanted to file now (we are waiting for a few reasons but...), and that if you don't qualify based on the median income, to take it to the next step and see if you qualify. I'm assuming by examining expenses.

I would definitely meet with some more attorney's. I've met with 3 so far. And while I liked all three, I'm not sure I've found *the* perfect one yet. So I will keep interviewing.

Good Luck!!