My income is waaay below the median income..

[9877donna]

Yet on my current expenditures I have $220 left over every month after monthly expenses.They can't push me into Chapter 13 can they??
Thanks.

[confusedinVA]

Hello, I am waaay below the median as well. Are you sure that you are using all of your expenses? Not just the basics but things such as Toilet paper, shampoo, laundry detergent, stamps, gas, stuff like that. There are some stickys on expenses take a look at those.

[SinkingFast]

Take a look at the BK Calculator link in this thread.

http://www.bankruptcyforum.com/showt...ght=calculator

Maybe that will jog your memory about routine expenses you did not think to include.

[debtisbad]

Do not forget about gas. I know it has gone down in the last 2 weeks. That in my opinion is just a political maneuver. It will go back up after the elections. Make sure that you remember what gas is going to cost you.

[SinkingFast]

Do not forget about gas. I know it has gone down in the last 2 weeks. That in my opinion is just a political maneuver. It will go back up after the elections. Make sure that you remember what gas is going to cost you.

I'm betting it will go back up over the Holiday weekend!

[9877donna]

You can't be serious...

The courts cannot possibly push someone into chapter 13 that is only working part-time and barely makes enough to cover daily expenses??
That's really hard to believe.
I'm just going to play it thru and see what happens.I already submitted my petition and I don't want to raise any eyebrows by resubmitting with more expenses added.Look's too obvious.

The criteria is based on whether or not you have $100 in disposable income after expenses. Being under the median only helps to shorten your plan to 3 years instead of 5.

[FoolAndHisMoney]

The courts cannot possibly push someone into chapter 13 that is only working part-time and barely makes enough to cover daily expenses??
That's really hard to believe.
I'm just going to play it thru and see what happens.I already submitted my petition and I don't want to raise any eyebrows by resubmitting with more expenses added.Look's too obvious.

Yes it will raise eyebrows by resubmitting expenses. You lose credibility with the courts when you start changing this.

Your not going to want to hear this, but depending on the trustee and your region they usually bully debtors that either skimped on attorneys or filed pro se. Doesn't mean every case is this way, but I've seen debtors over the median by 25k get a chapter 7 discharge and I've seen and heard posters here get harassed even when they are under the median. It seems like if you are an easy target they will strike. Just my opinion. Don't hold me to this and be upset. You are part time with low income so they probably won't bother you.

[9877donna]

Right now it looks like I'm locked into what I filed..

Yes it will raise eyebrows by resubmitting expenses. You lose credibility with the courts when you start changing this.

Your not going to want to hear this, but depending on the trustee and your region they usually bully debtors that either skimped on attorneys or filed pro se. Doesn't mean every case is this way, but I've seen debtors over the median by 25k get a chapter 7 discharge and I've seen and heard posters here get harassed even when they are under the median. It seems like if you are an easy target they will strike. Just my opinion. Don't hold me to this and be upset. You are part time with low income so they probably won't bother you.

No I'm not upset.And I hope they don't 'bully' me or see me as an 'easy target'.I have no assets and low income.I certainly hope I don't get 'pushed' into Chapter 13....wouldn't that be a joke on me.

[FoolAndHisMoney]

No I'm not upset.And I hope they don't 'bully' me or see me as an 'easy target'.I have no assets and low income.I certainly hope I don't get 'pushed' into Chapter 13....wouldn't that be a joke on me.

Good positive attitude! Just go in prepared and answer every question honestly and you will be fine.

[FilingOnMyOwn]

Up your car insurance coverage. Lower the deductibles, or if you only carry basic liability or 'plpd', then up your bodily injury and property damage limits.

[SinkingFast]

The courts cannot possibly push someone into chapter 13 that is only working part-time and barely makes enough to cover daily expenses??
That's really hard to believe.
I'm just going to play it thru and see what happens.I already submitted my petition and I don't want to raise any eyebrows by resubmitting with more expenses added.Look's too obvious.

I ran across something today, researching for another poster that I had totally forgot about.

New Law, being below the Median only gets Filers a free pass as far as Creditors go. Creditors cannot object to the filing and claim "Presumption of Abuse". The Court, however, can still object and claim "Presumption of Abuse".

So, yes, even tho you are under the Median, the Court could push you into a Ch 13. Doesn't mean it will happen. Just that it can.

Much of BK filing depends on the Trustee and what's customary in your area.