When to retain a lawyer?

[mmo1]

If we were to plan on filing in August, when is the best time to retain a lawyer?

Also, how far in advance should we cease making payments on CC's etc if we plan to file in august?

[keepmine]

Retain a lawyer anythime you please.
In general, we'd suggest you stop paying all debt you wish to discharge now. However, do you have any recent charges or balanc transfers on any of the cards?

[mmo1]

Hi Keepmine,

Thanks for the response!

we have no recent balance transfers on any of our cards. We have not used any of our cc's since Dec 09.

The only CC we do use is our American Express, this card however is one of those where you pay the balance in full each month. So it never carries a balance. We ONLY use this card for necessities - food, gas, dental & health co-pays, dog food etc.

Do you think we should stop using our American Express too?

TIA!