Here's my first thread: http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=58114
This past Friday I finally met with an attorney. My sister got the names of 2 different BK attorneys from an old classmate of hers that is an attorney (not in BK). I met with the one that was said to deal with Ch7's more, since that's what my financial counselor had told me that my case should be.
He seemed quite nice and straight-forward. I went in with 10-15 questions of my own that I didn't see definite answers to here since they were a little more case-specific I suppose you could say. He had no problem answering those questions for me.
He said I'm a pretty straight-forward Ch7 and the his fees would be $1300. He said we would file under federal exemptions (MN gives the option) and I would be able to keep everything I have for assets.
I still will meet with 2 or 3 other attorneys to have comparisons.
Following the meeting with him I decided to call the financial service that I have the debt management program with and stopped the payments from being electronically withdrawn. They said they will "keep my file open" until I call them with attorney info once I've retained one. I will be able to do the required BK counseling through this organization, pre-filing and also pre-discharge.
So, I'm feeling some relief having made those steps. I know there could still be some rough days ahead but I'm still feeling that this is the only option left really. I had a good talk with my parents about things (and was able to give them lots of info that I had learned from here!) and that was a relief to hear their thoughts about all of this. One of the things I told them was that I didn't really need them to support the decision but I wanted them to understand it. I now feel that they do understand it.
I guess from here it's a matter of time until the phone calls begin.
I plan on fixing my car and taking care of my standing dental bill (~$300) right away next pay-day. I can handle sleeping on the couch a little longer if it means I can file sooner.
I haven't decided yet if I will sell my only good camera lens in order to help with attorney fees. The attorney I met with said that shouldn't be an issue as long as it's sold for fair market value and it's documented. Everyone in agreement with that statement?
Thanks again for all of the wealth of information here!! I'm sure there will be additional research I will have to do yet and I bet I can find a chunk of my answers here.
And, thank you for those that have offered input to me so far and that may do so in the future!!
This past Friday I finally met with an attorney. My sister got the names of 2 different BK attorneys from an old classmate of hers that is an attorney (not in BK). I met with the one that was said to deal with Ch7's more, since that's what my financial counselor had told me that my case should be.
He seemed quite nice and straight-forward. I went in with 10-15 questions of my own that I didn't see definite answers to here since they were a little more case-specific I suppose you could say. He had no problem answering those questions for me.
He said I'm a pretty straight-forward Ch7 and the his fees would be $1300. He said we would file under federal exemptions (MN gives the option) and I would be able to keep everything I have for assets.
I still will meet with 2 or 3 other attorneys to have comparisons.
Following the meeting with him I decided to call the financial service that I have the debt management program with and stopped the payments from being electronically withdrawn. They said they will "keep my file open" until I call them with attorney info once I've retained one. I will be able to do the required BK counseling through this organization, pre-filing and also pre-discharge.
So, I'm feeling some relief having made those steps. I know there could still be some rough days ahead but I'm still feeling that this is the only option left really. I had a good talk with my parents about things (and was able to give them lots of info that I had learned from here!) and that was a relief to hear their thoughts about all of this. One of the things I told them was that I didn't really need them to support the decision but I wanted them to understand it. I now feel that they do understand it.
I guess from here it's a matter of time until the phone calls begin.
I plan on fixing my car and taking care of my standing dental bill (~$300) right away next pay-day. I can handle sleeping on the couch a little longer if it means I can file sooner.
I haven't decided yet if I will sell my only good camera lens in order to help with attorney fees. The attorney I met with said that shouldn't be an issue as long as it's sold for fair market value and it's documented. Everyone in agreement with that statement?
Thanks again for all of the wealth of information here!! I'm sure there will be additional research I will have to do yet and I bet I can find a chunk of my answers here.
And, thank you for those that have offered input to me so far and that may do so in the future!!
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