Losing sleep and anxious over lawsuits/bills

[clk355]

Hi, I've got a lot of credit card debt, and I'm anxious, and hope someone else here has been through what I have.

I got deeply into credit card debt over several years, living beyond my means. I stopped paying my credit cards about two years ago, and have got a couple judgments, with some more suits filed. I saw a lawyer last year, and started to make payments to him on a potential case, but couldn't afford him, and he dropped my case prior to filing. I get no overtime, paying back on 401(k) loans, 10% of pay is garnished and feel like I'm drowning.

I wake up every night in fear of the future. I'm not suicidal or sad, but I do wish I could come up with a workable payment plan, but my total debt is about 1.5x my annual gross, and of course, at this point, it doesn't seem like anyone will likely work with me. The debts are now in the hands of collection law firms and they are suing.

I don't know if anyone here can really help me as such, but if someone can tell me why I should be hopeful for the future, it would be appreciated, esp. if you've been through this yourself.

The lawyer I saw told me that while my debts are high, he sees cases like mine, and I shouldn't be fearful.

Thankfully, I do still have my job, though continued judgments threaten to make me look bad. I am healthy, though.

[leigha]

It seems like so many of us are lying awake in the middle of the night worrying. I wish I had an answer for it! You're not alone. Sorry I don't have better advice. Could you possibly get a second job to pay the lawyers fee?

[frogger]

Most of us have been in your shoes....

It does get better. I'm greatful for the "fresh start" that Chapter 7 has given my family.

[strummerfan]

My wife and I share your sentiments we wiped out our savings trying to do the so called right thing and got left with almost nothing.

My BK paperwork is printed and ready to go to the courthouse tomorrow, I'll be honest and tell you that we both commented on how hard we slept last night

Stop the bleeding now using retirement money to pay unsecured debt is not wise, you may never catch up and once the interest compounds you will be in worse shape than before.

good luck!

[ccsjoe]

We've dried up everything trying to keep up because it always looked like we could dig ourselves out next month. In the meantime we wiped out savings, retirement, no health insurance and huge tax bill. We're filing this Friday and feeling very relieved! It will get better.

[wnguyen]

clk355

I was in your shoes like that as well. At first, I was struggling to pay to keep my credit intact. During that time, I was up almost all night for several nights worrying what's gonna happen next because I probably couldn't continue like this for years. Later, I was exhausted and trying to work it out with my creditors. Every time I called and tried to talk to them, they just saw me as a potential risk and lowered my credit limits and shut down some of the inactive accounts. A few months ago, facing with multiple lawsuits coming in, after saving enough for the attorney fee, I decided enough is enough. And here I go, bk is my only way out, as the first attorney who declined to file my case has said.

[merime]

I know exactly where you are. I used all my savings paying minimums for years. Then ran out of money. Probably will get sued about 20 times in next few years. Problem is my husband is untouchable. Lets just say that i have to guess at how much he makes. Probably too much , which is why i wanted a divorse. He wont let me go. I only make 700 a month, i cant hire an attorney if i wanted to. My husband does not give me any money towards kids. I am scared and in panic mode about 23hrs a day.

[question]

I feel the same way,but don't know where to begin. I have just let everything go and now feel like I have no control on anything, the phone calls are out of control, harrassing me at work and my co workers. I am going to start looking for a lawyer but not even sure where to start, any suggestions? How do I know what to take with me? What is the average cost for an attorney?

[ccsjoe]

I feel the same way,but don't know where to begin. I have just let everything go and now feel like I have no control on anything, the phone calls are out of control, harrassing me at work and my co workers. I am going to start looking for a lawyer but not even sure where to start, any suggestions? How do I know what to take with me? What is the average cost for an attorney?

Attorney cost depends on what state you're in and the complexity of your case as well as case type. Look through www.avvo.com or other legal boards for attorneys speacilizing in bk in your area, read their reviews, the schedule free consultations. Use those to interview them and see who you feel most comfortable with. A simple CH7 in California can be around $1600.

Phone calls, you can always send a cease and desist letter to the creditors...there are some threads under the collections heading here that talk about it and provide samples.

[tobee43]

clk....there are TONS of attys out there that will take payments from you monthly until you have paid them in full to handle your BK....

first...try to think things through....help is out there you just need to get to the right people. after all...you are going BK because you have nothing.

there are in fact attorney's that will work with you and take payments....but remember since you have judgements already, that is another process after the discharge your attorney will have to handle for you.

best of luck! you'll make it...we all have been there and done that...it's no fun!

[bulletproof77]

I gave up worrying about banks after I saw THEM get their bailout monies....from us, the people they are bleeding dry...So, I created my own personal "bailout"..Gave them back their overpriced, underwater house and BK'd everything....(and got a divorce from my formerly nagging, high maintenance ex-wife)...My own personal "nuclear option"...Don't regret a thing and never have looked back. I feel NO guilt, regret etc...The American dream has turned into a nightmare for those of us coping in this economy, so you need to use what tools are available to survive..Stop worrying, get the best attorney you can afford, and move on..Screw life on the "installment plan"...

[drowning123]

With you there, bullet. We fund everything. Why can't we catch a break?

[tobee43]

got that right bullet!!! i'm still soooooooo upset about it!!

[ccsjoe]

The way I see it, I'm creating my own break...it's called "talk to my lawyer, I'm filing and getting a life!"

[tobee43]

i'm telling you this joe...come friday...we r getting out the greygoose, and inviting jack...the bud and the millers....are dropping by as well to celebrate your filing and new found freedom!!! LOL!!