so confusing AND SO NERVOUS

[dumbpig]

My lawyer put down 550 dollars for my food expenses as he informed me my other expenses were to high and food is ok at 550. I am single as my wife left me. Will the trustee question this? Could the lawyer know the trustees and there opinions on not worry about this. I also asked him the below question and i got a confusing answer.

MY QUESTION-
At this time do I have to worry about legal
> seperation documents from my wife? If we were to
> reunite in the next year do I have to nullify the
> bankruptcy?
HIS ANSWER WAS
Your physical separation, legal separation or
> divorce has nothing to do with your bankruptcy.
> Every person has the right to do a bankruptcy
> regardless of whether they are divorced or married.
>
NOTE TOGOTHER WE MAKE WAY TO MUCH MONEY BUT DO TO MY GAMBLING SHE HAS LEFT ME. I NO LONGER HAVE HER INCOME MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET BY. THIS IS WHAT CONFUSES ME ABOUT HIS ANSWER AS HE STATES IT DOESN'T MATTER ABOUT BANKRUTCY. NOT ALL MY CREDIT ACCOUNTS ARE INDIVIDUAL AND IN MY NAME ONLY. SHE IS A JOINT USER ON AMEX BUT NOT RESPONSIBLE.

PLEASE HELP!

[edwards2]

$550 sounds like a lot for a single person for food. Where do you live? Most attorneys know the BK drill so you should find comfort in the fact he is the legal beagle and knows what is acceptable and what is not. I frankly think it ALSO depends on where you live whether your expenses will float. The trustees in Tennessee, where I live, are going over expenses with a magnifying glass right now. Six months ago BKs pretty much went through w/o a hitch but they seemed to be prepping for the new law in our district. Our food expense wasnt much more than yours and there are 3 in our family and one is a teenage boy who eats EVERYTHING OFTEN. I dont know about the separation situation. I am sure that is true that everyone has the right to file BK, single, married, etc., but maybe he believes it will be okay because your wife is not signed on your cards with the exception of the AMEX. If you are anxious, and apparently you are, you should pepper him with questions. Dont just accept this will be okay because the bottom line is it is your BK and you will be one affected by the outcome - not him. Our lawyer was pleasantly surprised when he saw who we got as the BK trustee but he did not plan on the U.S. Trustee giving us grief so lawyers are not infallible and you need to do your own research and stop on top of your case, lawyer notwithstanding. I have learned a lot on this forum and have asked countless questions about our situation. There is a lot of knowledge and compassion on this forum so use it. And it is free. Good luck.

[HHM]

If it was from your BK attorney, then he has a general idea of what is and is not acceptable.

[Lightning]

No wonder people pushed for BK reform. A single person does not need $550 a month for food. I've been feeding my single adult self for many years, and I've never come close to that amount. From what I've read, food is one category that is often grossly inflated.

[edwards2]

That's precisely why I asked him where he lived. Location has to be the reason because if not, that would mean for my family we would be spending $550x3....and while food prices have soared there is no way we spend that much a month on food.

[dumbpig]

I understand what you are saying. I had around 200 dollars disposable with food at 350. I am scared with the pending cc double in payments I will be sunk. The lawyer bumbped it to 550 dollars for food(he included hygene items/razors/shampoo/coditioner/lotion/over the counter meds). Its a huge number and scares me.

[edwards2]

Okay, I sure know where you are coming from with the fear about justifying such a high monthly expense so let me ask...what does your attorney mean he needed to bump it up because the other expenses were too high? I have learned from personal experience and from reading this forum, that expenses and exemptions vary from state to state. What is acceptable in one state may not be in another. Why don't you tell us what your other expenses are maybe we can help you sort through those. You may get lucky and the trustee will not challenge the expense but its best to be prepared for any and everything they could ask you about.

[dumbpig]

SINGLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA EXPENSES
RENT- 906 DOLLARS
ELECTRICITY- 100 DOLLARS
GAS/WATER - 26 DOLLARS
HOME PHONE - 80 DOLLARS(said was to high- actual bill)
CELL PHONE- 145.00 DOLLARS (ACTUAL BILL HE SAID WAS TO HIGH
DIRECT TV- 100 DOLLARS(SHOULD I REMOVE AS EXPENSE? (HE STATED ONLY 50)
internet- 60 DOLLARS
Home mainentance(light bulbs/misc supplies)10 dollars
food - 400 dollars? Is this off the charts? Eating out is expensive as I don't cook and buying for one person is the same as two ussually when purchasing food. When i shop ussually spend 100 for a week

Household items(pp towels,cleaning supplies,etc) 40 dollars (HE SAID 10)
Hygene supp.lies(toliet paper,tooth paste,shampoo condi/razors(exp)/etc. 60 dollars (HE SAID 15)

Clothing 125 dollars (HE SAID 20)
Dry cleaning 35 dollars(ACTUAL COST BUT HE COMBINDED WITH LAUNDRY AT 50 COMBINED)
Laundry,detergent 50 dollars (HE COMBINED THIS AND DRY CLEANING AT 50. THESE ARE ACTUAL EXPENSES)
Avg medical exp(14+ visits a year to eye/reg/dermatologist/denits)- 30 bucks amonth
Prescriptions/otc drugs(aspirin,occasional prescriptions,etc) 20 dollars
Magazines/Periodicals(20 dollars)
Recreation/Ent- 125 dollars(includes gym payment 90 dollars) (HE SAID ONLY 25 FOR RECREATION)
GIFTS FOR FAMILY FRIENDS HOLIDAY B-DAYS- 25 DOLLARS
RENTERS INS- 25 DOLLARS(DID NOT ALLOW THIS)
AUTO INS- 120 DOLLARS
GASOLINE- 160 DOLLARS
AUTO REPAIRS-1000 A YEAR. I HAVE OLDER CAR AND OFTEN HAVE REPAIRS (DID NOT ARGUE)
VEHICLE MAINT- 20 BUCKS A MONTH(AVG WITH OIL CHANGES AND WHAT NOT(DID NOT ARGUE)
TOLLS- 15 DOLLARS
PARKING- 5 DOLLARS
VEHICHLE REGISTRATION- 95 A YEAR(7.92 A MONTH) CAN'T COUNT SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT)
CAR PAYMENT-165 DOLLARS
SCHOOL LOAN 500
COSMETICS(LOTION/FACE CLEANER) 15 (NOT ALLOWED)
HAIRCUTS 15 DOLLARS A MONTH (COUNTED THIS)
WORK LUNCHES 50 DOLLARS A MONTH (WOULDN'T ALLOW THIS)
BANK CHARGES 15 MONTH (COUNTED)
POSTAGE 5 MONTH (NOT COUNTED)
PET FOOD/SUPPLIES/CARE- 40 DOLLARS A MONTH (COUNTED THIS)
TOTAL 3455

[HHM]

"COSMETICS(LOTION/FACE CLEANER) 15 (NOT ALLOWED)"

I disagree with that, in the other categor, you list "Hygein and Grooming". Afterall, you get haircuts, need to buy soap, deoderant, etc. Hygein and Grooming is about $100 easy.