Final 2 Months!

[VolFan]

Just checking in for a quick update. So, as Shipo advised I sent in my final payment at the beginning of February, and waited expectantly to get my letter stating I could stop making payments (Feb 26th was exactly my 5 year file date). However, as of this past Friday it was 5 weeks since that payment and I hadn't heard anything, so I called the Trustee's office (I know it's considered off-limits and everything should go through the attorney, but I took that chance because I wanted an immediate answer).

Anyway, I got to speak personally to my plan administrator, and she was very nice and helpful. I had overpaid my base amount by $650, but apparently there was still another $900 due for some kind of administrative calculation that wasn't showing up anywhere I could see it. So I made a one-time payment that same day, and she has my file flagged to pull/begin the final audit when the payment shows up next week.

I'm still not sure where the extra $1500 total (above my plan base) came from (my original theory was that since Chase Bank didn't file any claims it bumped up the overall % payback to the other creditors, but I'm not sure how that would change the plan base amount - any thoughts???), but at this point I don't really care. I'm just happy they'll begin the final audit process soon and I can finally be free!

[justbroke]

That $1,500 smells like an attorney "monitoring" fee. Some districts grant the Chapter 13 an automatic case monitoring fee. Your $1,500 smells exactly like $25/month for 5 years ($25 * 12 months * 5 years = $1,500).

Please know that this is my absolute guess. It could also be for some post-petition work that the attorney performed on behalf of your case (motion for something, defending something, a hearing, etc).

(In Florida, a "presumptively" reasonable Chapter 13 fee includes... Monitoring Fee – An attorney may include a monthly monitoring fee, effective in the month following the Confirmation of the case, to cover all post-petition legal services. This fee can be up to $50/month without question.)