Actual expenses lower than 'national standards'

[keepsmiling]

Could be it's time to start leaving some lights on

[keepsmiling]

But does the trustee actually ask you to verify these costs or do their staffs verify. In other words do they ask for your utility bills, phone bills if they are reasonable etc. Everyone I asked stated they were never asked to show them. One person said he was asked to show his gasoline usage so he started picking up reciepts at gas stations

What does your attorney say about local practice?
At any rate, better to CYA. How old are your cars?

[ValleYum]

But does the trustee actually ask you to verify these costs or do their staffs verify. In other words do they ask for your utility bills, phone bills if they are reasonable etc. Everyone I asked stated they were never asked to show them. One person said he was asked to show his gasoline usage so he started picking up reciepts at gas stations

Most people pay these through their checking account - I would think it would be super easy to verify, even without receipts (since we have to provide the trustee with statements)

[magic13]

If actual expenses are lower, especially in categories that have easy paper trails (mortgage, utilities, car payment etc), you, as the debtor get screwed. Your budget will be partially determined by your "actual" expenses. Sorry.

But does the trustee actually ask you to verify these costs or do their staffs verify. In other words do they ask for your utility bills, phone bills if they are reasonable etc. Everyone I asked stated they were never asked to show them. One person said he was asked to show his gasoline usage so he started picking up reciepts at gas stations

[ValleYum]

Don't forget home maintenance falls under this category as well.

I agree with KS about lowering insurance deductibles and purchasing a car.

[keepsmiling]

Try to maximize your other areas- for example, buy a car or two, change your insurance deductibles, etc. Better the money should go to something you need or can use than someone else's pockets.

But I sure would like to know how you get an $80 electric bill. I have a tiny house and mine is never under 100.

[HHM]

If actual expenses are lower, especially in categories that have easy paper trails (mortgage, utilities, car payment etc), you, as the debtor get screwed. Your budget will be partially determined by your "actual" expenses. Sorry.

[Pizza]

Forgive me if I'm asking something that's already been answered. I have been searching for days and haven't found an answer to this...

In determining the allowable expenses the trustee will let you have before making payments on a Ch.13, are you allowed to use the national standards for your family size even if your actual expenses are lower?

Some of the allowable expenses seem considerably higher than what our family actually spends. Particularly with the 'housing and utility' expenses; it's $1831 a month for our family size in our area. There is no way with a $680 mortgage and a $80-$300 electric bill that we would ever touch that amount, even with the water bill, internet service, and cell phones.

It seems like a trustee would see amounts like this and think we have disposable income coming out of our ears. Our income is over the median by $350/yr (bummer) and the expenses @ national standards are almost what goes into our checking account already. Could we be forced to up the Ch.13 payments to reflect what we normally spend?