Havent filed yet.. ok to sell extra stuff?

[Intoodeep80]

I am surrendering my boat, SUV, and house and moving into a one bedroom apartment (moving from a 4 bedroom house w/basement). I file in December sometime (TBD by lawyer) because Im still making payments to the lawyer.

Since Im surrendering the boat, I took off everything I bought for it since Ive owned the boat (2005)(chartplotter, VHF radio, spare set of props). It will be in the same condition I received it in. Im very strapped for cash right now (obviously, right) so I need the money to pay my gas bill, which I havent been able to pay since August and is around $500, not to mention my electric and water bill.

Is this going to be a problem? Im following all of my lawyers recommendations, Ive been paying cash for everything and/or writing money orders because my lawyer is worried any checking account in my name will be frozen soon.... Again, I dont want to do anything to jeopardize my case.

[keepmine]

You won't be the first person who sold things to pay the utilities. There should be no problem using the funds for ordinary living expenses.

[willsurvive]

We are doing the same per the instuctions of our lawyer. We were told we could pay bills, utilities, federal and state taxes (which can't be discharged), lawyer fee to file, etc. So we have sold some stuff and paying towards those things only.

[Intoodeep80]

Ok so since I havent filed yet, is it important to report what Ive sold?

My lawyer told me it wasnt important to save receipts, so Im wondering why it would be important to disclose "what" I sold and what I used the money for. Most of the things Im selling are under $50. Nothing big ticket, in other words, nothing over $500 or anything that would raise eyebrows.

[TEW]

You do what it takes to survive. It’s before you filed you haven’t done an inventory yet. Those assets belong to you.

[jktrading]

My lawyer never said anything about my bank accounts, except asking the name of the banks. He didn't even ask for statements. In our signing meeting, I asked about the bank account, and was told not to worry about it. I was worried about the rent money being frozen, and was telling them about 1 day it could have $2,000 in it, the next day after rent, groceries, and some bills, it could be $100.

My lawyer has been in business since 1976, so I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing? I wonder if it's different for every state and maybe even every county. I'm in Southern California. I was to be filing today electronically, so here I go. Weeee.......

[Intoodeep80]

You do what it takes to survive. It’s before you filed you haven’t done an inventory yet. Those assets belong to you.

Thanks. So Im free and clear before I file (which isnt until mid december) to sell things to survive. I dont need to report this to my lawyer or trustee then, since it was before bk.

Ok so sub-question here. I have an SUV that Im surrendering. I bought it used and the cd player was broke. So I threw it away and bought a new radio. Is it ok of me to take the radio I bought and put in it, and sell it? It would leave no radio in the SUV, but basically thats how it was when I bought it...

[TEW]

Thanks. So Im free and clear before I file (which isnt until mid december) to sell things to survive. I dont need to report this to my lawyer or trustee then, since it was before bk.

Ok so sub-question here. I have an SUV that Im surrendering. I bought it used and the cd player was broke. So I threw it away and bought a new radio. Is it ok of me to take the radio I bought and put in it, and sell it? It would leave no radio in the SUV, but basically thats how it was when I bought it...

[Intoodeep80]

I started making payments to my lawyer in August. I owe about 1/2 still and plan on paying it off and filing in December as well.

I do not have a trustee.