Interesting situations

[Gidgetsbroke]

Ok...so my husband makes some money doing odd jobs here and there for friends and family. Over the summer we have made about 1300.00 just in side jobs for cash. We reported it as income to the attorney and it is in the paperwork but my question about it is...we used that cash to pay up rent and some utilities. So our bank statements do not show us paying any rent or some bills. Will the trustee have questions about that at the 341 meeting? Will he wonder why we have it on our expenses $350 a month for rent but it is not on our bank statements? Like in August every penny of my husband's income went on groceries, some bills, etc but not rent because he did a big drywall and skirting job for 800 dollars and we paid for rent for 2.5 months cash. Maybe I am worrying over nothing but I just want everything to go smooth. The lawyer said that since we reported the income not to worry.

Another thing is...I told my lawyer (the day after we filed because that is when we found out!) that my husbands grandma just got told she would be having a major surgery and will be staying with us for about 3-6 months. Possibly coming to stay with us as early as the end of this month or Dec. She will not be contributing to our rent or bills and we will not be supporting her financially in any way but she does have 1300.00 a month in income. I told the lawyer about that and he does not seem to think we need to make any amendments. I am afraid that at the 341 meeting the trustee will somehow know we have a 5th person in the house with income but my paperwork only says me, hubby, and 2 children. Should I have concerns with my lawyer about this??

[gophermn]

Will he wonder why we have it on our expenses $350 a month for rent but it is not on our bank statements?

I am afraid that at the 341 meeting the trustee will somehow know we have a 5th person in the house with income but my paperwork only says me, hubby, and 2 children. Should I have concerns with my lawyer about this??

You should be fine on both occassions. For the first question about rent, I would get something in writing from someone else (i.e. landlord) saying what your payments are. Perhaps you have cancelled checks, a lease or some type of notorized statement.

For the second question as your attny said, you should be ok. There is no mention on your 2007 or upcoming 2008 taxes that would say you had additional income. Second, I am sure the Trustee would understand this is short-term. The trustee usually asks questions like; "Is there anyone who would owe you money (or something like that)." Just be honest and as it sounds in your case - the answere is no.

Thing is this - the more you talk about it at the 341 the more the Trustee will begin to throw those pretty red flags. Just go in and spend 98% of your time saying either YES - NO. Everything else will fall into line.

[AngelinaCatHub]

You should be fine on both occassions. For the first question about rent, I would get something in writing from someone else (i.e. landlord) saying what your payments are. Perhaps you have cancelled checks, a lease or some type of notorized statement.

For the second question as your attny said, you should be ok. There is no mention on your 2007 or upcoming 2008 taxes that would say you had additional income. Second, I am sure the Trustee would understand this is short-term. The trustee usually asks questions like; "Is there anyone who would owe you money (or something like that)." Just be honest and as it sounds in your case - the answere is no.

Thing is this - the more you talk about it at the 341 the more the Trustee will begin to throw those pretty red flags. Just go in and spend 98% of your time saying either YES - NO. Everything else will fall into line.

[Gidgetsbroke]

Thanks you guys!!! I do have tendency to be a worry wort and I was not even able to sleep last night even though we just filed yesterday. Ha ha. I will just try to relax and follow your advice..yes or no to most if not all questions. Our lawyer said we were a pretty routine and quick case so I don't know why I am so worried.

I will go ahead and get a notarized statement about the rent/bills just in case for the 341. I am a horrible record keeper and have not kept receipts.