Had My Reaffirmation Hearing Today

[HGolightly]

It was a bit more nerve-wracking than the 341. Went to the Federal Courthouse. Rode up the elevator with, coincidentally, one of the Ford Credit lawyers. He was pleasant. Checked in with the clerk at a folding table and took a seat with a bunch of "my people" - other debtors. A volunteer lawyer called my name and took me into a conference room to discuss whether or not I still believed I could pay for my car. She asked me my income, my rent, what my car payment was each month. Then she advised me that I could still back out of my agreement if I wanted to, and explained in detail about how if I reaffirmed and then could not pay for my car, the creditor could repossess the car and go after me for the difference between what they could sell it for and what I owed on it. After our chat, I was sent into a courtroom with a bunch of other people.

The judge entered and again, explained all the stuff about how serious it was to reaffirm a debt and how we could all change our minds before we got our discharge or within 60 days of reaffirming...

She took all the people who wanted to be denied first, and went though each of their situations until she found a reason to deny the reaffirmation agreement. One poor lady's car was worth $5k, but her loan was for $22k!!! She left the courtroom smiling! After finishing with the denial group she started with us - the people who wanted to reaffirm debts - one by one.

I was second in line. I went up to a podium and she asked my name, whether I believed my car was worth more than I owed on it. If I believed I could pay my bills and the car payment and still eat, etc. I answered yes. She said "then the court will approve your reaffirmation".

Thanks, judge!

Then I went to work.

NOW, IF THEY WOULD JUST PRETTY-PLEASE DISCHARGE MY DEBTS.....

[Alumofuf]

Thanks for the explanation! This gives me an idea of what we can
expect when we reaffirm our van. Car is worth about 9K, really
less but I put retail value and we owe 3K. We should be ok
to reaffirm. I see your dates though and wonder why is taken
so long between your 341 meeting and this, you should have been
discharged already ?

[HGolightly]

I see your dates though and wonder why is taken
so long between your 341 meeting and this, you should have been
discharged already ?

I know... me too. I finally called the clerk and was told the discharge wouldn't happen until after the reaffirmation hearing - but I think that was just b.s. because they're so backlogged in L.A. I'll give it another week and hit the phone again.

I want my fresh start! Woot!

Best of luck with your van!!