Tried to File Today and was DENIED!

[HGolightly]

Helpful tip that I somehow missed... If you are paying your fee by money order - make sure it is a federally guaranteed money order from a bank or a post office - and not a money order from your local super market. Whatever the difference is - I was turned away today due to my inferior money order.

After 4 hours of sleep because I was up until 3 finishing the paperwork.
After paying upwards of $16 on photocopies
After fighting freeway traffic and getting lost in downtown LA
After paying $8 to park and walking 2 blocks in the rain to the Federal Building... Denied! Oh, if only I hadn't taken all my money out of the bank and then right before I left, stashed the cash in my home. So, that's tip #2 - bring cash with you, just in case. Because they would have taken cash.

Now, I'm grumpy, tired, not debt-free and I have to figure out what to do with the money order I already made out to the US Trustee!

Thanks for letting me rant.

[HHM]

That is an interesting tip. Even I learn new things on this forum

[tigergem]

Wow. Bummer. I am so sorry that happened to you.

[HGolightly]

You know what else? I asked the clerk if they were open tomorrow (New Years Eve) and she said yes, but only for emergencies. Their voicemail message says they are open except for federal holidays. New Years Eve isn't a holiday - I wonder if they will turn me away if I just show up... I mean, they can't pick and choose who they help - can they?

Edited because I looked at the Public Notices section of the website - and sure enough - emergencies only tomorrow. Oh well.

Have a happy new year, everyone!!

[AngelinaCat]

Present your case as an Emergency Filing, but make sure you get there--in person--well before 12:00 Noon. Many places claim to be remaining open, when actually they are closing down at 12:00 Noon, 3:00 PM and so on.

And the tip about the Money Order? I have told many posters in the past to use only a MO from the Post Office because of the issues involved with the counterfieting of store money orders--Western Union being one of the ones most counterfieted.

Good luck to you and please let us know how it goes.

By the way, I wish you a very HEALING New Year!!!!

[justbroke]

Wow, the internet ate my post! I responded that I learned something today too. I know that my Trustee will not accept non-bank (and non USPS) money orders. However, I didn't know that the Court would not. In any event, I brought exact change to the Courthouse when I went... just to avoid any issues. What I was really worried about, was making the money order payable to the wrong person.

The U.S. District Court is smart though. I wouldn't trust money orders from half of the places that issue them. Too much trouble dealing with them.

I hope that you're able to get it filed "early" in the morning tomorrow. If you wait too long, I'm sure people are going to be very... out of it after about 12 noon.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Hey, HGolightly. The last time I saw that name I was prepping for a colonoscopy.

Take your M.O. back to where you purchased it. They will void it and refund your money. You may have to forfeit the 45 cents. Bring the receipt for when you purchased it as well. 'Hub

[HGolightly]

Thank you, thank you, thank you all! I might just show up in the morning, though I fear being turned away by a clerk and being denied twice. And I absolutely will take the money order back to the supermarket. The Moneygram website says if you send it back to them they will refund you - in 30 - 65 days! Yeah, by that time, I won't need it anymore... Have a fabulous New Year!!

[tigergem]

The first money order I bought, I am pretty sure I got it at the bank inside wal-mart, for my court filing fees. They didn't give me any problem about it. For the trustees fee I know I got it at the post office, because I happened to be there and didn't feel like tackling wal-mart parking. This is really good information. I appreciate knowing. I am so sorry you had so much trouble HGolightly.

[ApresMoi]

Helpful tip that I somehow missed... If you are paying your fee by money order - make sure it is a federally guaranteed money order from a bank or a post office - and not a money order from your local super market. Whatever the difference is - I was turned away today due to my inferior money order.

After 4 hours of sleep because I was up until 3 finishing the paperwork.
After paying upwards of $16 on photocopies
After fighting freeway traffic and getting lost in downtown LA
After paying $8 to park and walking 2 blocks in the rain to the Federal Building... Denied! Oh, if only I hadn't taken all my money out of the bank and then right before I left, stashed the cash in my home. So, that's tip #2 - bring cash with you, just in case. Because they would have taken cash.

Now, I'm grumpy, tired, not debt-free and I have to figure out what to do with the money order I already made out to the US Trustee!

Thanks for letting me rant.

Thank you for sharing. You probably saved a few readers here a wasted trip. Good tip.

[mtbc]

Whom to make it payable to is indeed an issue. Plenty of places say "Clerk, United States District Court" but our district has a local rule that changes it to "Clerk, United States Bankruptcy Court"; given the confusion I just left that bit blank and asked when I filed in person. (Though I was also worried I might have to add "Massachusetts" somewhere given that I'd had to type "District of Massachusetts" under the court heading on all the forms.)

(Of course, I filled it in before giving to to them!)

[HGolightly]

And, if you leave it blank until you get to the window - and they don't want to accept your money order (like they did to me) - it is easier to get a refund than if you have already filled the thing out. I'm leaving it blank the next time I do this. (Monday! Woot!)

[lrprn]

I'm leaving it blank the next time I do this. (Monday! Woot!)

HGL, you realize that if you file your case with the court on Monday, January 4, that your six-month lookback on your forms needs to change from June 1-Nov 30 to July 1-Dec 31, right?

[justbroke]

HGL, you realize that if you file your case with the court on Monday, January 4, that your six-month lookback on your forms needs to change from June 1-Nov 30 to July 1-Dec 31, right?

Nice Catch!

[HGolightly]

Yes. Thanks. I have to adjust the dates and I'm also going to take some time to go over everything once more with a fine-tooth comb. I already found that I listed my pet parrot as an asset (and exemption) but forgot the CAGE! God knows what else I've left off in my haste to get this over with. As with much of my life lately - things turn out to be blessings that I would have normally called curses. Thank you!!!!