Last CC usage

[getouttathehole]

I've been doing more reading and we have made a mistake regarding not paying our CC after the last usage. We decided to go bankrupt after our house foreclosed at the end of September and stopped making all payments immediately on our CC even though in the beginning of August we had a couple of cash advances (total around $3000 off of 3 cards). Some of our cards are approaching 120 days past due, some are not. Shoudl we start paying the cards we got cash advances from for awhile? I didn't do enough research until now. Also, if DH is going to get a raise it will happen in mid April, there is no guarantee this will happen but we are already about 20% over median (although doing the means test we only have about $200 left over before adding any additional expenses because of our house and car payments). When would be the best time for us to file? And should we try to make some good faith payments or will that just look suspicious? We had a lot of expenses mostly related to our house this summer/fall (new furnace $2100 alone, hot water tank, mold problems from leaking tile, etc) and can account for the money spent but did not say, let's go spend all of this money and go bankrupt. The worst that can happen is that amount won't be discharged right? Should we just risk that and file soon?

thanks

[ameliabedilia]

I personally don't think you will have a problem because you are already 5 months out, approaching six months. The cards will probably not bother spending the money to get $1000 from you.

You are going to need to find more expenses or you will most likely be pushed into a 13. If you are 20% over median now and have $200 left. I would definitely file sooner rather than later if you think you will be getting a raise. Have you looked into the allowable expenses on the irs website to see if you are missing any?

Last thing- go see some lawyers for a free consultation. I went to two with a whole packet of paperwork and questions prepared. I ended up going pro se because anything I wasnt' sure about, I got an attorney to answer for free.

[getouttathehole]

We have more expenses, lots of them that would push us way negative in a budget. We have been living way beyond our means and I'm nervous about not being able to turn to credit any longer although it is the best thing. We did see one lawyer so far and he doesn't think a 7 will be a problem.

I'm just a huge worrier and keep thinking of things to keep me up at night!