Anxious and Worried in LA

[Autumn]

Hi Everyone.

I just discovered this wonderful forum and it has been a Godsend. What a relief it's been to find answers to questions and receive empathy and understanding from others who are going through the BK experience. Moderators, thanks a bunch! I appreciate all of you who have been willing to share.

Is there anyone here from Southern California who has gone through the BK process recently? If so, what was your trustee meeting like? Were you asked for lots of documentation? My case has been assigned to Brad Krasnoff, if anyone has experience with him.

I filed Chapter 7 on July 13 and my 341 meeting is August 15. As you might imagine, I'm nervous and scared.

Even though I'm married, I'm filing alone. The $34000 worth of debt, all creditcards, is in my name and my DH isn't a supplemental on any of the cards. We don't have any assets and I'm praying that everything goes smoothly. Even though California is a community property State, my attorney doesn't anticipate any problems. Circumstances forced my DH to file seven years ago, prior to our marriage, and he doesn't want to endure the experience again.

The next three weeks are going to crawl by, I'm afraid. Maybe I'll register on Pacer and see if I can find out more about my trustee. This is all so stressful and scary! I've tried everything possible not to file but getting the bills caught up is a losing battle. To be totally honest, the new bankruptcy law has forced my hand. If the new legislation hadn't been enacted, chances are I'd still be trying to hang in there.

Thanks for listening and my thoughts and prayers are with anyone else who is in the waiting process.

[edwards2]

I dont live in Southern California so sorry cant comment on the BK situation there but I can say that it is normal for you to be anxious and scared. If you werent you wouldnt be on this forum and it is great. It is like therapy for me. I stumbled on it and have been reading and posting practically every day since. It is the one place we are all here for basically the same reason with different circumstances but the desiring the same end result. The 341 for most people has been a lot less stressful than we thought it would be. I was frightened too but it lasted 10 minutes and we were gone. We did have an expense my attorney thought would be a problem but the BK trustee didnt seem to think so once we explained it. The problem we have now is we were not able to submit all the paperwork requested and now we have to post 341. Just be sure to give them everything they ask for and be able to justify your expenses. If you are honest and you can produce what they want you are home free. Try not to worry. We are all pulling for you...let us know.

[Autumn]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm sorry to hear that your BK experience hasn't gone as you had hoped. Sometimes documentation is hard to come up with, especially if a year or so has gone by. My record-keeping isn't all that great and that's one of the things that has me feeling anxious. But, if I am asked for additional paperwork, I'll simply have to do my best to come up with it.

Good luck to you. I'll be praying that everything will go well and that, this time, the trustee will be satisfied. I can imagine how relieved you'll be when this is over. Please keep us posted.

[edwards2]

Thanks Autumn. I hope yours goes well too. I didnt intend to be so graphic I guess I do look at this forum as therapy sometimes. Whatever happens we will deal with it...we have to. By the time your 341 rolls around we will in all likelihood know the outcome of our case. I think I will have a pretty good idea of her position after our face-off on August 3. Actually she just takes depositions. My attorney's secretary keeps telling me...you arent doing anything dishonest so just tell the truth. I know she is trying to help and I appreciate it but the reality is a Chapter 13 would be really hard on us. I know it is better than the alternative but it would still be difficult. I do have a plan if it happens. We have to, as they say, assume the worst and hope for the best. The only redeeming thing is that according to the BK laws granting the discharge(the edge) is supposed to be given to the debtor(s). Time will tell with that one. Thanks for caring.

[Autumn]

Filing BK is incredibly stressful to begin with. For me, at least, there was the acknowledgement of defeat, the shame of failing, the guilt of bailing on my creditors, the embarassment of having to bare my financial soul to the court, and regret overhaving to go through the whole process. We haven't even begun to talk about suspense and anxiety and dealing with phone calls and letters from creditors. At least, the filing has put a halt to the calls and letters. From what I've read here, many folks had a lot worse experience with creditors than I did. I stopped paying on my cards about six weeks prior to calling. Yes, the myriad of phone calls had begun but I didn't have it nearly as bad as others.

When starting the BK process, I think most of us hope for the best but fear the worst. In your situation, complications did arise and the trustee is dragging you back into court. These past few weeks must have been extremely tough.

I want to say, though, I admire how you're handling the situation. Even though you're hoping to continue filing Chapter 7, you're prepared in case you have to switch to chapter 13. You're still expecting a positive outcome, but you have a safety net in case it doesn't happen.

Hang in there. August 3 is almost here and the suspense will be over. Does your attorney have a good working relationship with your trustee? If so, that should help.

Take care and definitely continue to keep us posted.