Car question

[uf101]

I am now in the process of filing chapter 7 and I wanted to ask about keeping the only vehicle we have. I have a family of 5 and we own one car free and clear. If the trustee were to seize it, we would have no vehicle. What can I reasonably expect.

Also

I am working through a paralegal and my wife got served yesterday. It was a demand for her to show up at a pretrial hearing. We will have our case number next Thursday, and the hearing is not scheduled until 9-15. I have heard terms like "automatic stay" and "suggestion of bankruptcy", but will she have to attend after we get our case #?

Do we need to file a suggestion of bankruptcy?

Does everything stop, including court proceedings under the automatic stay?

I really ask because the wife wants me to tell her that it is not necessary to attend the pretrial conference, but I do not know this to be true.

Any help?

[HHM]

If your case will be filed before the hearing date, you do not need to file a "suggestion of BK". What you WILL need to do, once you get your BK case number, is to file a "Notice of Bankruptcy" with whatever court the hearing is set for.

[uf101]

Will we need to attend the pretrial conference or does it become unnecessary?

[HHM]

No, it becomes unnecessary, just make sure to file the Notice of BK.

[uf101]

What about my vehicle-being the only one we have, would it be seized?