My situation seems unique; is this a problem?

[Pinktiger]

I filed Chapter 7 last week; a check on pacer of the other people who filed,and looking at the paperwork, reveals that my $67,000 of unsecured debt is rare. Most people filing have about $20,000 in unsecured debt, some less. Nobody in my sampling (I looked at about 4 random files, because each costs $2.40) had what I have. I'm worried that the trustee (I was looking at claims this trustee will deal with on my 341 date) will be looking closer at me as a result.
My lawyer, too, was surprised I had this much debt.
Heck, if I only had $20,000 I wouldn't be filing. But my income is also higher and my situation is different. I had consolidated medical bills and other expenses a couple of times, and MBNA offered me this great deal last year that really put me in a bind.
Anyway, just wondered if anyone had comments.
Please don't judge me, by the way. That wouldn't be nice.

[HHM]

It won't be a problem regarding the amount of debt.

But when did you do all this consolidating of the bills. If you consolidated anything in the last six months, then yes, you will likely have problems.

[Pinktiger]

NO. Nothing in the last six months. I'm fine.
I never intended to get in the hole I dug for myself. I was hoping that my financial situation would improve, but it didn't. BK became my only option after I finally sat down and faced facts.

[InDebtInMD]

We had ~$143,000 of unsecured debt. Your amount of debt is not super-high by BK standards I would think. We did get a closer look from the US Trustee regarding our expenses, but we got our discharge earlier this week.

Good luck!

[edwards2]

We had $83k of unsecured debt. I agree with you if we only(only being operative word) had $20k of debt maybe we could have hung in there.

[Whittio]

I think it's all relative. Someone making, say $150k a year and having $80k in debt is actually better off then someone making $20k a year and having $18k in debt. :s

[Pinktiger]

Yes, I know it is all relative. But the income that showed up for the others I checked wasn't that much less than mine. Last year I made $42,000.

[InDebtInMD]

Don't sweat it

After going through this, I realized the total amount of my debt was the least of my worries. We had not actually made any significant charges in at least a year.

The two things to worry about are whether or not you can exempt all the stuff you want to keep (house, cars, etc) and whether or not they will accept your expenses.

I think the credit cards will only object if you made some whopping purchase (like a vacation, big-screen TV, big-time cash advance) immediately prior to filing.

[Pinktiger]

Yes, and I have not done any of those things, nor have I a problem with exemptions. I have nothing that they can use. For one thing, the joint property doesn't count, as I don't own it without claims of another. My expenses are well within the new guidelines, which aren't even in effect yet.
My biggest anomaly is the cost of my gasoline -- I commute a 100 miles daily; at first my lawyer was incredulous about that expense, but I explained how many times I filled up a week (3 X $30 bucks each time) and he was OK with that.
I'm glad I drive a Honda. Wish it were a Civic now with the gas so high, though.

[InDebtInMD]

If your job requires such a long commute, then you should have no problem justifying your gas expense. Don't forget to include vehicle maintenance.

Good luck!