I have set up an initial consultation with a lawyer, who told me that I should be able to file Chapter 7 based off of a household of four and taking into account my husband's income.
I'm just concerned about claiming a household of four. Yes, I know, he's a lawyer and SHOULD know his stuff... but I'm new to all this and worried about the outcome.
The lawyer said I should be able to claim a household of four, since my husband's two daughters live with us half-time. Is that correct, or is he just trying to get me in the door for a consult? My husband can only claim one of his girls on our taxes, which I told the lawyer over the phone, but I'm afraid that would set off alarm bells down the line if I claimed a household of four.
It makes a difference, because with a household of 4 I would pass the means test, but 3 it's very close, just that side of being over the median for my state.
I'm filing married but single filer - my husband had to file Chapter 7 when his ex-wife left him.
Also, if I pass the means test, does the whole "disposible income" stuff come into play, or is that just for Chapter 13? Right now, I'm current on everything (including the house, and we own our old, used cars outright) but there's not much left after that and we're pretty much living paycheck to paycheck.
I'm just concerned about claiming a household of four. Yes, I know, he's a lawyer and SHOULD know his stuff... but I'm new to all this and worried about the outcome.
The lawyer said I should be able to claim a household of four, since my husband's two daughters live with us half-time. Is that correct, or is he just trying to get me in the door for a consult? My husband can only claim one of his girls on our taxes, which I told the lawyer over the phone, but I'm afraid that would set off alarm bells down the line if I claimed a household of four.
It makes a difference, because with a household of 4 I would pass the means test, but 3 it's very close, just that side of being over the median for my state.
I'm filing married but single filer - my husband had to file Chapter 7 when his ex-wife left him.
Also, if I pass the means test, does the whole "disposible income" stuff come into play, or is that just for Chapter 13? Right now, I'm current on everything (including the house, and we own our old, used cars outright) but there's not much left after that and we're pretty much living paycheck to paycheck.
