Includeing utilities in a 13

[Hileman]

Okay, so I go this Friday to sign and file for chapter 13. ( ) I have disconnect notices on my electric and home phone that i was able to put an arrangement on until the 8th. My Atty told me they could charge me a deposit, but can not disconnect me after I file. What do I do? Do I call them Friday and give them my info, or does my Atty call since it is a disconnect? What about the bills? do I zero out for what is doe and up to that day gets IIB? I am just so worried I will have no electric.

[aa06a47]

Get some candles ready or get alot of money ready for a very large deposit. Best bet, and not sure how much you owe, is to pay the phone and electric company and not include them in bk.

Perhaps your lawyer will take less to do your case and put much of the cost into the plan.

[Hileman]

I do not have the money to pay the utilities if I pay to file on the 7th, and He will not wait on anymore of the fees. I had to pay 475 up front to him and 189.00 to the court. If I wait to file after the 7th, then the court fees go up. This just sucks. All of it does.

[alh]

I had my electric bill included in the BK. (owed over $1000 as I had been on a % of income plan) The just started over with me with a new account number and sent me a bill. No deposit at this point, but Ohio limits deposits on electric to 130% of your average bill so it would not be a huge deposit if they did.

[Hileman]

That would not be bad then. Def smaller than what I owe. My average bill is 50.00 and my past due will be about 240.00 when I file (new bill is getting ready to go past due)

[alh]

Check with (or look online) whoever regulates utilites in your state. You may able to get an idea of what the deposit might be.

[Minnymouth]

Call your utility company and see about signing an extension on your electric bill or any other utility. The on the extension papers make arrangements to pay your monthly bill plus extra each month on the balance that you owe. All you have to do is give them a date that you can pay and how much you can pay....

This way,you will not be disconnected and then hit with a BIG DEPOSIT to get everything turned back on......

Do it now.......they will work with you if you try to work something out with them.

I would not include my utilities in my bankruptcy....leaves you open for HUGE DEPOSITS afterwards.

Just my thoughts,

[13inOR]

I know that a lot of people have had problems with this, but included about a $250 power bill in ours, and didnt have to pay any deposit at all. So it does depend on the company I guess.

[Hileman]

I am going to have to do it. There is not any way around it for me. Thanks for the responces. I will let you know if I get hit with deposits or not.