So many questions

[justbecause]

I have been reading here a lot, and I thank you all for this site and all the great information. I recently stopped paying my credit cards as I just can't pay them now. We were keeping afloat and making the minimum payments, then my husband became ill and is no longer able to work. We have lost his income and now have to pay for COBRA insurance. I have concerns about when to file because our past 6 months income is too high for Chapter 7, but starting June 1 we have lost his income. He has one more check that will come in next week from the remainder of his vacation pay. How long do we wait at this point?

The CC companies are starting to call and this is difficult for me, I have always stressed over paying the bills(especially credit cards). I really want to file soon to get it over with but not sure that is in our best interest.

Also, regarding medical bills...we recently had dentist visits and will probably owe approx. $150 (waiting on insurance) would it be ok for me to pay the dentist now before we file? I really don't want to loose my dentist, but I don't want to do anything to cause issues.

Again, thank you for your help.

[keepmine]

Have you spoken with a lawye?.
The means test is just step 1. You still have to fill out schedules I and J to determine if you have enough monthly disposable income to fund a 13.
Don't be pressured into filing prematurely just because of collection activity. At the end of the day, they can't eat you.
Yes, go ahead and pay your dentist. You're under the $600 mark for preference payments.

[hmsmith]

My attorney said the income look back period is the 6 months previous to filing, which he had all 6 months of our pay stubs. Even if you appear to be over the median income, you may still qualify for a Ch. 7. You won't know until you talk to an attorney and he/she can advise you on how long you should wait before filing. If they try to rush you into it, you don't have to go with them. I know what you mean, as I was kind of in a rush to get mine filed and over with, so I could move on, but it's not always the best thing to do, especially if your income is going down now that he lost his job.

[AngelinaCat]

Hi justbecause, welcome to the forum. Regarding the dentist, you will not have a problem making that payment. Where you run into problems is if you pay any one creditor, while ignoring all others--and it is usually a total of $500.00 or more in a 12 month period that triggers the interest. Likely you will be paying the co-pays, and you are expected to take care of your health, and taking care of your teeth is a large part of that.

Good wishes to you.

[justbecause]

I have contacted an attorney and we will meet with her soon after I compile all the info she requested. Mainly waiting on COBRA info and info from my husbands former employeer(some pay stubs missing, so they are running a report) I will ask her about timing I just was getting a little nervous with the increased calls.

Keepmine, your statement about the creditors not being able to eat me made me laugh. As much as I want this all to be over and not have to deal with the calls, a little extra time might be best for us. I guess only time will tell and I just need to keep my head up and know everything will work out.

[bcohen]

The dental bill is a current expense--not a past-due debt. You are allowed to pay ongoing living expenses, such as rent/mortgage, utility bills, and so on. What you are not allowed to do is pay one unsecured creditor, while ignoring others.

[keepsmiling]

Google Voice will take a LOT of the pressure off. Go get it now, and change all your numbers in your online accounts while you still have access.
Oh... and WELCOME!!!

[Drazil65]

I second Google Voice, sanity saver...