CH7...still awaiting closing

[SumBeach]

I filed ch7 on Aug 16, 2005. As of Oct 10, 2005 Pacer showed "Awaiting Closing" as my status. It is now early January and it still has not closed. Is this a normal amount of time for it to take to close? It may be normal or delayed due to the backlog, but for some reason, I was thinking this would be all done by now. What is the average amount of time it usually takes from the time you file until the final dismissal?

Your responses are appreciated!
~SumBeach

[2US]

Not sure, but I filed on 8/17 as well, my case was discharged on 11/23 and the next entry in PACER was "Auto Close Bankruptcy Case" 12/7.

Is there any difference w/ Auto Close vs regular close?

[Kam]

Congrats and come on over to the Discharged/Limbo/Waiting for closure club.

I am .. er.. I mean we are soliciting $$ for 2:1 pizzas. Anyone hungry for a salami, onion, sauerkraut and black olive pizza?

[StaciMM]

The discharge & close may happen at the same time, or maybe not. Depends on the district.

SumBeach-have you been discharged yet? IF not, call your BK court clerk and ask them to find out why. More than likely, it is just a clerical issue of the courts being backed up from so many Oct '05 filings.

[Minnymouth]

If the trustee is after your income tax refund - he will not close your case until it is sent to him.....

Also he can hold your case open as long as he wishes up to a year after discharge, even long under certain circumstances.

For example - my case is discharged but still open
Has been open for 435 days and still counting......
(unusual case)...

More than likely its over a tax refund, or a backlog of work that needs to be posted on pacer.

Be patient - it will show up.

[SumBeach]

Well, I hope the delay is only due to a backlog. I am sure I will have to pay in on my taxes this year. Therefore, I don't expect that there will be anything to take. I had to pay in $175 last year and I expect to pay twice that amount this year. So far, Pacer still shows "awaiting closing". I will wait another week then call the clerk.

Life is so much easier without credit cards! The rule I now go by (and its working very well) is: CASH ONLY buying and regular financial tracking via EXCEL. If no cash - no go! In fact, the tracking works so well, I now pay "ME" first out of every paycheck, before paying any bills! Also, the fact that it is a tracking program and not a budget puts you in a different frame of mind. A budget implies restrictions and induces negative thoughts; whereas, a tracking program allows you to see where every penny of your money goes; therefore, allowing you so see when you are about to run short. You'll make suttle adjustments in your spending so that you always keep a positive number in your balance column (which is the same goal of a budget). In short, it allows you to accomplish the positive goals of a budget without the negative feelings a budget creates. Buy doing this, I have been able to save more money in the last two months than I have in the last 5 years! It begs the question.....Why in the hell didn't I do this years ago???

Thanks for all the responses.

[Minnymouth]

sum beach,

Sounds like you got a "system" going for you that will work great for you........................

Its amazing when we "see" where our money is going instead of wondering how much we have to spend, huh!!!