help car and chapter 7

[scrate36]

i have my 341 meeting tomorrow. my wife and i are filling joint chapter 7. We own both of our cars. Hers is a 1993 mazda 626 which barely runs and is behind on registration. mine is a 1995 bmw. Both of our cars are paid off. Our problem is that i work 43 miles away from home and she works 32 miles away from home in the opposite direction. My work requires me to do a lot of driving. Now looking through everything. I am wondering and worried they will make us sell our cars. Her car si probably worth less than 1500 now that it does not run that good. My car also needs repairs but is probably worth about 2500-3000. What should we do.

[StaciMM]

What state do you live in, and have you looked up your state's exemption amount for vehicles? Most allow at least $1000 per vehicle, sometimes more.

[scrate36]

california from what i believe i saw its 2400 but i dont know if that is per vehicle or for both

[StaciMM]

With most states (I can't say for sure all) the exemptions are per spouse if filing jointly.

[scrate36]

that is what i was hoping for. Problem is now that my wifes car is in need of over 1200 in repairs and in looking at it her car is probably only worht about 1000 or less now. As for mine its still worth about 2-3k. But it is also need of repairs. If we were to loose my car we would be in real trouble as its the only one that runs ok. If we were to loose her car. Well all i could say to them is good luck as it takes about 2-3 minutes just to start it. But we are really concerned about my car as its the only real car we have. Then after filing for chapter 7 we know it will be even harder to buy a car period.