When to stop paying?

[mindyandy420]

I am meeting with an attorney hopefully next week. I am under the means test and am I dont have money to pay my debt. I am so far behind on my living expenses that I need to stop paying on my debt.
Since I have not seen my attorney yet. Should I stop paying my debt? I have a big chunk coming out of my bank account end of next week and I am thinking of calling and stopping them from taking it (debt consolidation place).

Input would be great.

Thanks
Mindy

[BROKENN]

I would stop. And I went to my bank and had them stop all automatic debits

[StartingOver08]

Yes. Stop your debt consolidation payments now. Save money to file your BK. Interview several attorney's (the free consult). Conserve your cash. In fact, since you have an auto debit by the debt consolidation people, close that account. Make sure any bank account you have open is NOT tied to any cc debt. You may need to open a new account in another bank/cu to achieve this.

[allavdj]

I would agree with the others that have posted. Expect phone calls to start, learn to ignore the ringer or turn it off...caller ID is your friend! You will probably be safe for about 2-3 months before you even have to start worrying about any sort of legal action. Heck, I'm at about 2 years with no legal action from any creditors.

Take care of yourself, food, things like that first. If you are for sure filing BK, any money you send to creditors is wasted. Oh...make sure you keep paying on any sort of secured loan (car, that sort of thing) as they will quickly jump in and take it back.

Keep calm and take deep breaths. The phone calls and letters are stressful at first, but try to keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel.

[mindyandy420]

yeah

they call me at work....no fun.

[JRScott]

Yes I agree with the other advice stop paying now and stop all automatic drafts.

As for contacting you at work, send a certified letter to each that does that stating that your employer does not allow you to take calls regarding debt collection at work and that they are to cease and desist calling you at work. Provide your home number and your home address as contact points.

(Then get an answering machine, turn the ringer down. Put a message that clearly identifies this as you. Let it pick up all the calls. )

[epiphany]

Best to stop immediately if you are definitely pulling the trigger. No sense in wasting any more money....you're going to need it to pay the lawyer.

I wish you the best of luck through the process.

ep

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Make sure you do not use any of your credit cards or any credit for that purpose.You don't want to be accused of fraud for using them right before you file. Get copies of all of your statements online( if you have access) Once you stop paying you won't be able to access your accounts. Interview at least 3-4 lawyers for free consults. Pull your free credit report.