Question Homeless - What Address to Use ?

[BKCA7]

Hello,

Could use some help here on the proper listing of an address on a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. My home was foreclosed and sold last August, and I have been staying at various friends homes since, sometimes sleeping in my car. I do not really have a permanent address and no friend wants their address listed on a bankruptcy filing. I do have a "street address" PO Box, as well as a regular USPO "PO Box" address.

What address can I use for the "Address?"

Can I use my former address, the foreclosed home address (the mail is not forwarded)?

I will also list a "Mailing Address of Debtor," so the court will be able to reach me.

Could someone help on how to handle this "address" issue, and perhaps list the related bankruptcy code.

Thanks for any help or suggestions that you may have.

[LadyInTheRed]

I don't know what the "correct" answer is. Since the form ask for "street address" and not "residence address," I think using the street address P.O. Box would be okay. But, you could also say in the space for street address: "Debtor is currently homeless."

It sounds like you are filing pro se. Have you checked with your local county bar association to see if there is a program available to help low income pro se filers? For example, the Alameda County Bar Association has a program called "Lawyers in the Library" that holds a BK clinic in the Oakland library on the 1st Wednesday of every month. http://www.acbanet.org/index.cfm?fus...detail&id=9617

[tobee43]

we were homeless for almost a year. we used a post office box. we stayed with friends for just about over a year but took out a PO Box.

[BKCA7]

Homeless - What Address to Use ?

Thank you for the rapid response. Perhaps a researcher will find some decision or the applicable bankruptcy code. This cannot be that unusual!

[tobee43]

I don't know what the "correct" answer is. Since the form ask for "street address" and not "residence address," I think using the street address P.O. Box would be okay. But, you could also say in the space for street address: "Debtor is currently homeless."

It sounds like you are filing pro se. Have you checked with your local county bar association to see if there is a program available to help low income pro se filers? For example, the Alameda County Bar Association has a program called "Lawyers in the Library" that holds a BK clinic in the Oakland library on the 1st Wednesday of every month. http://www.acbanet.org/index.cfm?fus...detail&id=9617

alameda county, ahhhhhh the first county my mom worked as a social worker...here's the site: http://www.baylegal.org/offices/alameda/

i don't know if they handle bk's, however they SHOULD be able to help you, although the cut backs have really effected them.

[BKCA7]

Thank you. Did a lawyer advise using a PO Box? And did the trustee question you about this?

[tobee43]

Thank you. Did a lawyer advise using a PO Box? And did the trustee question you about this?

we had no choice in the matter, we were in fact, homeless. our lawyer didn't advise us, as it was, unfortunately, was, the absolute truth. however, when we filed we did have an actual address to use, as we rented just prior to our file, and, tha is,t we did use. although, we met homeless people at the court. i would get in touch with an atty, and see what they advise for your situation.

[LadyInTheRed]

Thank you for the rapid response. Perhaps a researcher will find some decision or the applicable bankruptcy code. This cannot be that unusual!

There are many things that are not unusual that there are no definite rules about.

For there to be a decision on the issue there would have had to be a dispute that had to be resolved by a judge. This is not something that anyone is likely to fight about and need a court ruling on. The bankruptcy code does not provide instructions on how to complete forms. It doesn't even provide the format of the forms. The forms are created by the Judicial Conference of the United States which is made up of judges. There are some instructions at http://www.uscourts.gov/FormsAndFees...ptcyForms.aspx, but I looked and didn't see an answer to this question. Maybe you'll find something I missed.

[BKCA7]

Great! I read the instructions to the forms. This is completely helpful and closes the case. Thank you, again.