bank account usage

[dumbpig]

Question-
Do they question your lifestyle eating out and what not. Before my wife recently split from me we mostly ate out and had alot of debt but with both salaries we could get buy. What do they look at with bank account usage? Very curious about this.
thakns,

[edwards2]

They do look at bank statements...count on it. They are starting to go back 24 months too. It is becoming sop apparently. When we first filed they only asked for 3 months. Now they want more documentation in addition to the bank statements so be prepared. All you can do is be honest and give them what they ask for. Be sure you list EVERYTHING YOU SPEND MONEY ON. You will be shocked at how much money you spend in a month for even necessities. Your state allows you so much for exemptions...your attorney will know what they are or you could research it on one of the BK sites. There is also an expense calculator which is very helpful. We eat out sometimes too so dont stress about that. You are allowed entertainment expenses but they need to be, if possible, as low as you can get it. I read on another forum that if you want to get your case dismissed have a high entertainment expense could be a cause. Surely lawyers are informing their clients the dos and donts of filing so that might not be an issue. Regardless, if you choose to file do it asap - you will have a much more difficult time post October.

[dumbpig]

I was living way beyond my means and out of control with gambling and what not. My wife left me and now I have the bills which I can't possibly pay in the next 5 years on my own. I can't possibly justify any of my expenses of the last 2 years. What do they do in this situation when you can not justify eating and gambling as reasonable expenses

[edwards2]

Did you charge your restaurant bills? Those are credit card debts and unsecured. How about the gambling debts - were they from a casino? Someone else posted a question about gambling debts. Maybe they will read your post about help you with that question. They dont expect you to have receipts for everytime you dined out so what do you mean you cant justify ANY of the expenses for the last 2 years? You must have had car payments, mortgage payments, utilities, phone bill, cable, etc...those are all expenses. Didnt you pay them?

[dumbpig]

All bills are paid and up to date just overwhelmed. Lots of debt and lots of frivilous spending .Now that wife and her income are gone I can't keep up.

[FloridaGirl]

Your wife may have left you, but guess what.....if her name is associated with any of your debts, she is still responsible too. She doesn't get to just walk away leaving you with a mountain of debt she helped create. Even if you file BK, and her name is on the accounts, they will go after her unless she files BK too.

[dumbpig]

The only debt in her name is the joint school loan. All loans and credit cards are in my name only.