filed chp13 1in CA, now whats best strategy prior 341

[walkthaplank]

Just filed chp13 and I would like to know what is best strategy to do prior 341 meeting. Do I need to wait for case# before sending first trustee payment? Also as far as finances(i.e. checking account since no cred cards anymore, do I need to tighten everything per my plan? I understand my plan has a little room for me so I maybe able to save $$ for emergency expenses but can I keep this $$ in my checking account while in chp13? If I withdraw $$ say $200 as pocket money for dining out, etc, will this be questioned during 341? To be in safe side what is max amount you can withdraw? I would love to hear from you guys on best strategies prior 341 and feel free to add more tips/recommendations if I missed anything. Thanks in advance!

These are things your attorney should discuss with you. Generally once your case has been filed, you should start living with your proposed plan. As to WHEN you send your trustee payment, that is district specific. In my district we made our first payment AT the 341 hearing, we were told NOT to mail it prior because it may not post prior to the meeting meaning we would have to find a place to get a money order RIGHT THEN or have our case dismissed. We saw a few people facing this dilemma during out 341. Other districts you are required to mail your payment to the trustee within 30 days of filing or have your case dismissed. Ask your lawyer.

Save every nickle you can, learn the difference between "wants" and "needs". Find ways to actually cut your expenses to amounts lower than your plan amounts. Have utilities put on "level pay plans" so that your payment does not greatly fluctuate month to month.

Good luck!

[johnjan2009]

These are things your attorney should discuss with you. Generally once your case has been filed, you should start living with your proposed plan. As to WHEN you send your trustee payment, that is district specific. In my district we made our first payment AT the 341 hearing, we were told NOT to mail it prior because it may not post prior to the meeting meaning we would have to find a place to get a money order RIGHT THEN or have our case dismissed. We saw a few people facing this dilemma during out 341. Other districts you are required to mail your payment to the trustee within 30 days of filing or have your case dismissed. Ask your lawyer.

Save every nickle you can, learn the difference between "wants" and "needs". Find ways to actually cut your expenses to amounts lower than your plan amounts. Have utilities put on "level pay plans" so that your payment does not greatly fluctuate month to month.

Good luck!

hey walkthaplank, thanks for the tip and your good luck wish.. I need it.. If you don't mid me asking, who advised you to just bring cashier's check on your 341? Reason is my atty is out of town and won't be back until 2 more weeks. Now the 30days, will past and the secretary told me it is my option to either send the cashier's check now(make sure to copy everything) or just bring the cashier's check during our 341 mid-Dec.. They are suppose to advise me to which one is best but I'm not getting a good answer on this and based on your info, it seems better just to bring over the cashier's check with me..

[momofthree]

I'm in the Eastern District of CA and had to mail in my payment. It was due nearly a month before my 341.

[LadyInTheRed]

In the Northern District of California, I had to mail the first check within 30 days after filing. I had to make 2 or 3 payments before the 341. I received a letter from the

[walkthaplank]

I am in the Central District (Riverside Court) and my attorney told me to make the payment at the 341, that I should not mail it in ahead of time. Like I said before, there were people at the 341 who were scrambling because they had mailed the payment to the trustee prior to the 341 but the trustee hadn't received the payment yet. Our trustee payments go to a PO Box in LA, meaning the trustee doesn't receive the payment directly so the payments don't always post right away.

What I would do to be safe, is make copies of everything (money order, envelope with stamp on it) and mail in the payment if your 341 ends up being more than a month and a half after your filing date.

[johnjan2009]

thanks for the tip ladyinred, walkthaplank and all.. I will send as mail(may consider to be certifed) since 341 is beyond 30days from filing...

[teddybeardj]

Sorry to hear that. Murphy's law strikes again! A few days after my 341, somebody threw a rock through my passenger side window so they could look through my glove box. There was nothing there to steal, but ther repair cost me $200. Which brings to mind a tip: It only costs a few dollars a month to lower your comprehensive deductible from $500 to $100.

Murphy was especially vicious to us. Seven days after filing, my wife came down with Pneumonia. The hospital bill in the end was over $2,000 for our portion of the insurance. Too late to include it in the case, and not worth dismissing and refiling. She might have had the pneumonia on the day we filed, but we can't use that as an excuse... Just bad timing.

[LadyInTheRed]

In the Northern District of California, I had to mail the first check within 30 days after filing. I had to make 2 or 3 payments before the 341. I received a letter from the

Oops! I meant to delete that last part since I realized I was repeating something I said in my first post in this thread.

Murphy was especially vicious to us. Seven days after filing, my wife came down with Pneumonia. The hospital bill in the end was over $2,000 for our portion of the insurance. Too late to include it in the case, and not worth dismissing and refiling. She might have had the pneumonia on the day we filed, but we can't use that as an excuse... Just bad timing.

Bummer! The Pneumonia and the non-dischargable medical bill.