how much do they check

[suzyqpug]

I am filing a bk 13 now from what i am reading some people say that the trustee requests 3 months of bank statement, now my question is: Do they really check everything line of the statement? Do I have to be scared that they are going to say well I see if ate out X amount of times this month? Will they try to add up how much in food bills i do amonth? What should I expect?

[Flamingo]

What you will have to provide to your Trustee will depend on your Trustee and your district. The attorney who handles your case will advise you what is needed. What you see others provide on this site may not be what you have to provide. You will be asked for statements anywhere from 6 months to one year prior to filing. They can also go back further. We had to provide information on checks/withdrawals written/made over a certain amount (usually $500 to $1,000) for a period of one year plus any charges made or cash advances taken over a certain amount during that period of time. That does not mean, however, that will happen to you but that is sometimes what they ask for.

[fltoo]

Hi Flamingo

Just wondering if you had anything unusual going on for them to ask for one year of statements.

[Flamingo]

Hi Flamingo

Just wondering if you had anything unusual going on for them to ask for one year of statements.

No - required for all filers in our district pursuant to our attorney.

[suzyqpug]

Flamingo are you taking about the nj area - I live in TOms River area. (Ocean County).

[becky20]

Glad you asked this, I am in the same boat. We are big "eater-outers". I work from home and deal with a 2 year old, and many times I find it dinnertime and nothing planned, no clue what to make, and find myself running out to pick something up. Something that is definitely changing for us. But yeah, I'm worried at the trustees are going to look at our statements and see all these charges for restaurants/fast food or whatever. I am not worried about large dollar purchases or anything, so if that's all they are looking at, I feel safe, but if they analyze, yeah, I worry... We filed almost a week ago, make our first payment August 1st and my attorney has never once mentioned bank account statements - only direction I had from her on my bank account was to make sure I had less than $300 in the account when she filed.

[suzyqpug]

What do I do when my DH's pay is direct deposited in and I am not paying my cc's anymore. I will have probably 2500.00 left in my accoun every month. Do I gradually draw it out? If i go to mac machine is there an amount that the trustee will question? Like anything over what? Does he look at say 40.00 for eating out?

[rrockinggramma]

the purpose of the bank statements is to check out income not to question every line item. They are also looking for big deposits and anything that looks fishy. You should NOT have much money in your account on filing day.

The trustee's have staff members that check out the information just to be sure you aren't hiding anything etc.

You can eat out all you want if you can afford it. They won't care. (unless you are spending 600 a night to do it)

[suzyqpug]

Ok, so they are not going to nit pick if there see 40.00 for pizza and then the next day or two 35.00 for burger place? Ok, i was going to start drawing out 100.00 - 400.00 every couple of days. Will that look fishy to them? How am I supose to only have alittle bit of money in my checking if i am not paying on the cards? SHoul i start drawing money out graually an if so how much? How much is acceptable in my checking?

[rrockinggramma]

pay ahead on your mortgage, stock up the kitchen with canned goods etc. Make sure all your electronics are in good working order. Plan ahead for the next 3 to 5 years. Keep your receipts. Do not buy anything that is luxurious, like big screen tv's etc. You don't want to have more in your checking account than you can exempt. Talk to your attorney about this and then do what he recommends. Like when you pay your mortgage, pay ahead etc

[suzyqpug]

will the trustee know that i paid ahead on my mortgage? will he ? why i paid ahead?

[suzyqpug]

sorry for the repeat, i am so damn nervous that i repeat myself. LOL

[BigJohn]

When a bill arrives, pay it then instead of when it is due.

[berrymom31]

When you use your debit card at the grocery store get as much cash back as the store will allow...it's usually at least $100 or more. This will make your grocery bills look higher too and will allow you to pull cash out to save. This is what we have been doing. We bought a firebox and every time we can get cash back we do. Also, my checks are hand written because I am a contractor and I take them straight to the bank they are written from...get the cash and then only deposit the amount that I want shown on my bank statement. Either that or when you make a deposit, keep some out as cash. It's very easy to control and manipulate your bank statement.

[suzyqpug]

My hubby's companies only direct deposits. Should I go and mac out 100.00 every few days? I want a little nest egg. I am panicing because my neice is getting married and both of my kdis are going to be in the wedding. so i need money for gowns and tux etc. and then a good wedding gift. How will i do that> I do not want anybody in my family to know about the BK. How will my kids go to birthday parties? I feel like I am going to be poor.