BK will 'tank' all cc, even the ones w/ 0 balance?

[newstart4me]

I've been reading and reading different posts, and it seems like once you file bk, or once you quit paying cc minimums, your cc w/o balances will be closed anyway. Am I getting that right? In other words, there's no reason not to use them for absolute basic needs if you have to survive in order to have some credit after bk because it won't be there anyway. It's the luxury items, balance transfers/cash advances you have to stop completely. I have a list of attorneys to call on Monday, but I can't stop thinking about these questions. I appreciate everyone sharing their wisdom and experience.

[HHM]

Maybe you should start by actually asking a question. Your post is a little confusing.

1. Yes, generally speaking, even credit cards with zero balances will get closed because of a BK.

2. However, that does not mean you should go out and "use" them.

3. You can use credit cards for basic needs and not run afoul an objection (in most cases).

4. However, if you "need" credit cards to pay for basic needs, then you should not be filing BK because BK will not solve your underlying problem, too little income, too high of expenses.

[sharksfan]

If you can't survive POST BK, you need to look at ways to either cut other expenses, or increase income.

[newstart4me]

Thanks for the input:
1. My expenses will be reduced to a reasonable level post BK.

2. I'm working feverishly on increasing my income.
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[JRScott]

It is unlikely any major bank issued card will survive a bankruptcy even if it has a 0 balance beforehand. This includes store cards issued by a major bank.

[PaKettle]

It is unlikely any major bank issued card will survive a bankruptcy even if it has a 0 balance beforehand. This includes store cards issued by a major bank.

Your post is basically right, as usual, J.R. but I just wanted to point out that there are sometimes exceptions. GM/ HSBC let me keep my 0 balance card through the bankruptcy, BUT they reduced it to only a $305 balance. (I don't know WHY it's not just an even $300, that extra $5 isn't going to help me much!)

But I am thankful they did that as it gives me the opportunity to use it correctly and establish credit with it.

American Express or Chase or BofA will NOT let you keep a card open after bankrutpcy nor will most others. I'm not sure why my GM card was allowed to remain open.

As to using credit before filing, I'd not use any cards you haven't used before, it might look like abuse. If you have to use a card, I'd use one you've already been using, even if it puts it over the limit. But I'm not an attorney, I'm just guessing here... What you don't want to do is give the Trustee any reason to scream "Abuse!"

[newstart4me]

Pa, I have several cards I've used before w/0 balances. One of them is a GM card. Two chase cards have zero balances as well. (I have been working diligently to get the cc storm under control. It just got too large, and then a series of unfortunate events happened. So that's life!) If I have to choose one to use for my upcoming dental bill (I'll make the smallest payment possible) I guess I'll use the one of the chase cards so I have a shot at keeping the GM to build credit again responsibly.

Question: Would you use the one with the lower or greater credit limit, or does it matter? I am looking for suggestions and may not be able to see a lawyer before I see the dentist. I've put this off for far too long (I've always been very anxious about dental work, even when I was employed full time with great insurance!). I'm pretty sure I have an infection under one of my crowns because it's painful. I'll probably need to be referred to a specialist for a root canal. I left a message w/the dentist's office regarding needing an appointment for trouble with a crown. She may be able to squeeze me in on Monday. I've heard nothing back about the many job applications I've submitted locally or on the east coast either. No sub jobs will even be possible until July 7th when the year round district starts their new year. Thanks for 'listening' and any suggestions. : )

[jktrading]

Pa, I have several cards I've used before w/0 balances. One of them is a GM card. Two chase cards have zero balances as well. (I have been working diligently to get the cc storm under control. It just got too large, and then a series of unfortunate events happened. So that's life!) If I have to choose one to use for my upcoming dental bill (I'll make the smallest payment possible) I guess I'll use the one of the chase cards so I have a shot at keeping the GM to build credit again responsibly.

Question: Would you use the one with the lower or greater credit limit, or does it matter? I am looking for suggestions and may not be able to see a lawyer before I see the dentist. I've put this off for far too long (I've always been very anxious about dental work, even when I was employed full time with great insurance!). I'm pretty sure I have an infection under one of my crowns because it's painful. I'll probably need to be referred to a specialist for a root canal. I left a message w/the dentist's office regarding needing an appointment for trouble with a crown. She may be able to squeeze me in on Monday. I've heard nothing back about the many job applications I've submitted locally or on the east coast either. No sub jobs will even be possible until July 7th when the year round district starts their new year. Thanks for 'listening' and any suggestions. : )

Quite frankly, use whatever you can to get your dental work done asap. It doesn't matter which card you use. Perhaps the one with the lesser interest rate if you have an option.

However, just get it done. Do it on Monday, and get it out of the way now. Worry about any consequences later. This is your health we're talking about. Your mouth is tied to your overall body. Get the root canal and new crown. I know a lot about dental work, and I have yet to encounter anything that gets better.

BTW, I like gold, porcelain looks better, but cracks easier.

[Birn]

I had several cc's with $0 balances and my lawyer told me not to even include them in my BK. I've been using them since I filed with no problem. My attorney advised that since I owed them nothing at the time I filed, I had no debt with them and therefore were not considered "creditors". I've been discharged for about a month.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Quite frankly, use whatever you can to get your dental work done asap. It doesn't matter which card you use. Perhaps the one with the lesser interest rate if you have an option.

However, just get it done. Do it on Monday, and get it out of the way now. Worry about any consequences later. This is your health we're talking about. Your mouth is tied to your overall body. Get the root canal and new crown. I know a lot about dental work, and I have yet to encounter anything that gets better.

BTW, I like gold, porcelain looks better, but cracks easier.

I cannot agree more. It happened to me and I was fortunate. I had a tooth with absess, and a 104 fever and hurt all over. I was in my twenties then and I met the dentist waiting for him at 7:00 am and begged him to pull the tooth, don't fool around and forget the novacain (at that time it was novacain and the drill used a belt). When he pulled it, you have no idea how well I felt and in 15 minutes, no fever. I never forgot what a little thing can do. It is like the poem "for the sake of a nail". 'Hub

[iloveoliver]

Well I have a Dell cc that when I filed had a 0 balance on it. I did not include it since it had a zero balance. I still have it and no change in the credit limit. I have no plans to use in the near future or far future as well.

[halloweendmb1]

I had several cc's with $0 balances and my lawyer told me not to even include them in my BK. I've been using them since I filed with no problem. My attorney advised that since I owed them nothing at the time I filed, I had no debt with them and therefore were not considered "creditors". I've been discharged for about a month.

If you don't include them do they gte notified that you filed BK?

[MomIcantFindmy]

Most companies regularly pull credit reports, and adjust terms to the extent they can by law, pretty regularly. Many store cards are actually issued by large banks (Citi, BoA etc). So they may not need to be actually notified that you filed Bk to find out. We did not have any cards survive BK (even those with 0 balance).

[Flamingo]

If you don't include them do they gte notified that you filed BK?

You can pretty much count on cards not included in your filing (zero balance cards) to get cancelled within a few months following your BK filing. The ones that may survive are usually department store or specialty store cards that are not tied to a major financial bank (i.e., Citibank, Chase, WFNNB, etc., etc.). The best thing to do is just don't count on them surviving and if they do and you want to continue to keep them open, just make a small charge every six or so months and pay it off immediately and consider yourself lucky.

[newstart4me]

Thank you all for your input! It is appreciated. I 'found' ; ) some amoxicillin and started taking it. I think I must have an infection because I already have less pain w/ four doses of antibiotics. If I can get in to see an attorney before I can see the dentist I'll listen to their advice on payment. If not, I'll take everyone's advice into consideration and go from there. Thanks again!