Household Size on Means Test

[BD33]

I had a question about the household size on the means test. My girlfriend lives with me, but I pay for the house and utilities(she helps out when she can) but is not a steady thing. All the checks are from my account. Do I have to put household size 2 or do I put 1 since we are not married. I seen a section about
"[B]

[dmc-2008]

Thats a good question... can I also tack on a question to that... what if you get some child support, but not thru the courts and not regular, does that count. I guess if they see the steady deposit, it would raise questions huh?

[JRScott]

Household size and medium income

OP according to that you would indeed count your girlfriend as part of the household.


As for the second poster you would still report it as income I think but you need to ask a lawyer. (Of course if you don't get any for the 6 months prior then it doesn't count)

[BD33]

Just exactly how would anyone know that she pays once in awhile by cash or check? All of the Utilities and House payment is paid by check in my name.

I guess that is by biggest question, since we are not married and anything to do with the home doesn't have her name on it.
Thank You

[Cali]

JR said you can count her as part of the household.

Just exactly how would anyone know that she pays once in awhile by cash or check? All of the Utilities and House payment is paid by check in my name.

I guess that is by biggest question, since we are not married and anything to do with the home doesn't have her name on it.
Thank You

[BD33]

Is that beneficial to me or not to put 2 rather than 1 per household?

[jwbbx]

JR,

I asked a similar question a while ago. My partner and I share a house that's all in my name. I pay the mortgage and all of the utilities. He works retail, has his own obligations and can only pay in about 200/month sporadically.

My attorney has advised me that if I have a 'roommate' then he can be counted as part of the household, and I will when I file because I see it as an advantage. I'm getting from your responses that you don't see the additional household member as a plus - but look at the big picture.

I'm doing a 13, and all of the allowable living expense limits go UP with additional household member. I DO need to declare the 200 as additional income, but that's MORE than offset by the additional room in the limits.

Even in a 7, an additional household member that contributes little can help a lot with the means test. Here in Michigan, that extra person means about $700/month in extra room in the means test. So if their contribution is less than 700 it's a net gain. It becomes even more important if you're a bit above the Median, because the expense side of the equation will go up with the household members.

Remember too that just because she's included in the household count, doesn't mean she's included in the BK. 2 separate things.

I hope that helps answer your question.

[BD33]

So by what I am gathering "I should count her" I am about even with the median income, but have a ton of expenses, I should have no trouble, the way it is looking. Its a no asset case.

Thank You

[BD33]

Thank you, JW. I took a means test on legal Consumer, great site! Fills everything in for you. My concern was if I had to add her income and I see I do not have to. Adding her was very beneficial.

Thank you

[JRScott]

JR is confused by JWs post, not sure how you got that it wasn't advantages from my post.