Spitting nails and then some........................

[spidge]

Why do you have to file now? I know it would be nice to have it done and move on. Can you get under the median by bleeding off more overtime in the next few months? Meanwhile your attorney is taking all your collection calls.

[basketsbears]

(((hugs))) I am sorry. I don't know what to say.

Take care & keep us posted what happens.

[pamkev]

First Law of [my first employment experience when they screwed me over--we can call it AC's Law]: GET IT IN WRITING!!!!

AC'S LAW #2: MAKE MULTIPLE COPIES!!!! File the originals in your file. In our case, it is a 4 inch 3 ring binder, arranged by years, then months.

I have all mine it's done electronically it's hubby we don't have although I have his for July and sent them via email. We don't have Jan-June although a simple phone call and I'm sure I can get them.
What I don't understand is I ran the numbers myself took his July stubs (which we still have) and subtracted the month pay which is the same each pay and came up with what was his 6 month income at the end June I had all mine so added that in for the end of June if we would have filed July 1st with our family size of 3 we are under the income for Chapter 7 even with the ot if I did the numbers right. I used the gross before all deductions were taken off. I remember the lawyer saying when we gave her the pay stubs that it will be easy just divide by 6 since it was the end of June. I will ask to see the numbers and get COPIES of it as well as get hubby;s paystubs back.

Pam

[pamkev]

Why do you have to file now? I know it would be nice to have it done and move on. Can you get under the median by bleeding off more overtime in the next few months? Meanwhile your attorney is taking all your collection calls.

I have thought about that. I even thought wait till we get sued by a creditor to do anything.

I wish she was taking all collections call as they are still calling our home even with google voice set up.

[pamkev]

(((hugs))) I am sorry. I don't know what to say.

Take care & keep us posted what happens.

Thanks and will keep you posted

[Tater]

Pam,

I'm so sorry to hear this but hopefully she will be able to explain things to you. You may want to start finding other bk lawyers in your area, just in case. Or you could wait to see what she says. I know this has been an emotional roller coaster for you guys but try to hang in there. I don't how things work in PA but I'm in Ohio and we were over median when we filed. I'm not sure how the trustees work in your area though. ((((((((((Pam)))))))))))

[keepsmiling]

Most attorneys won't tell you to go buy a car. It's against their something or other.
That's what we are here for

Good luck, and will be waiting to hear what the issue is-- but try to keep in mind: This too, shall pass.
Try to do something fun today to give your mind a break.

[pamkev]

Thanks Tater and keep smiling, went out with breakfast with a friend this morning. I will try not to dwell to much ( won't be easy for me to do) hubby has a idea that she kept saying a Chapter 7 only to ease us into a 13.
I also think we need to go buy a car only don't know who will finance one for us with our credit shot. Might have to do ones of those buy here pay here places but I know they charge a arm and leg in interest.
If we do go get a car payment how long should we wait to file so it would look okay to the TT and not like we were trying to beat the system? I also have the same question about charitable giving is that something we could add as of now it's like 200.00 for the year that we give now that money is free up we could add more just didn't want to because of looking like we could not pay cc but could give to a charity.

Pam

[keepsmiling]

You need to show a history of charitable giving in order to declare it. If you suddenly up it, that will not fly.

[pamkev]

You need to show a history of charitable giving in order to declare it. If you suddenly up it, that will not fly.

That is what I thought. How about if we suddenly get a car payment?
The one thing she did "suggest" for me to think about is for me to give up my second job my only problem with this is me. I can't sit at home all summer with nothing to do drives me crazy and so use to working but if it helps us out something I will do. We can make it over the summer with hubby income cause I always buy extra right up to June to make up not going grocery shopping as much. It's just easier with me having some income over the summer. I've been trying not to work as much of this past summer though. I do work weekend and holiday when I'm back working at school but will not if this helps out.
Although when I did the numbers that income was included and we were still under. I'm just so confused. Tomorrow will start calling other lawyers including the other one we almost went with, today don't want to think about it. It's noon here in Pa time for a drink.

Pam

[keepsmiling]

If you need a car, you need a car. It's really not the same as upping your tithing. Bass ackward, kinda, but it works. Just don't get a high end Mercedes. THAT would not look good. You need to keep the payment reasonable for your income and not go above the amount your district allows (usually 496-ish)
Volunteers are always needed. Just a thought.
You need to be clear on what the issue is before doing anything drastic tho.

[pamkev]

If you need a car, you need a car. It's really not the same as upping your tithing. Bass ackward, kinda, but it works. Just don't get a high end Mercedes. THAT would not look good. You need to keep the payment reasonable for your income and not go above the amount your district allows (usually 496-ish)
Volunteers are always needed. Just a thought.
You need to be clear on what the issue is before doing anything drastic tho.

Oh I know so not doing anything till after we talk to her on Tuesday or other lawyers when we see them. Hubby is driving a 1997 truck which does need replaced and if we could get something where payments would be in the 300.00 range or less that would be good but again not doing anything until we talk to her or other lawyer.
Thank you for all your support

Pam

[pamkev]

Now I'm really confused can a TT still make you do a means test if your under the median income for your family size? Reason I'm asking our lawyer called told me that that when we are close to the median income the TT in our area will do a means test to see if we have disposable income and this is where the issue lies because we do. I went and plug in the numbers on the means test and if I filled it out right she was right so that is why she might have "suggested" not keeping the second job as that would reduced our income by at least 4,000. I did not do the means test before cause we were below median income and thought we were okay now that hubby's ot is gone. I still don't know why she offered a refund and will ask her that on Tuesday as she only had a few minutes she was between clients.

Pam

[ValleYum]

Pam? What do your Schedules I & J show as income? You not only have to "pass" the means test but you have to show little to no disposable income on those schedules, too.

Hang in there - keeping you in my thoughts

[keepsmiling]

Pam, there are any number of under median 13's here. They are the ones who have the option of 3 year plans.
As VY points out, means test is just the first part. The rest is expenses. That's why the subject of buying a car comes up. It's a legit expense, as is increasing your insurance coverage.
It's all about good preplanning. Which is where your atty is coming up short.