Power bill necessary purchase?

[NachoAVGJoe]

I will be filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the next 30 days or so. While I am going to try to file pro se, I have met with an attorney for an initial consultation. He informed me to only use a credit card for necessary purchases. Can I use my credit card to pay an electricity bill? I have a shut off notice for today and I have no other way to pay this. This forum has been a great help; I appreciate all the knowledge that is shared here!

[woeisme]

you can use your credit card to pay your electric bill, but your credit card company may very well object since it's so close to when you file. whether they will or not is anyone's guess, and if the choice is getting your power shut off or risking an objection, you have to decide what's more important, electricity or a possible objection. (for me, I'd think the electricity was more important, personally.) Now if they object, the worst that can happen is that debt won't be discharged in your CH 7. Since you are filing pro se, you want to make sure that they limit the objection to the charge in question immediately prior to the filing, and don't try to claim the entire credit card debt you may have already had with them as non-dischargable. And you may be able to argue that it was a necessity and depending on the judge that may or may not be enough to overrule the objection depending on whether they are debtor or creditor friendly.