Utilities after filing- should I contact them?

[Graeden]

Hey all,
I'm filing tomorrow (a little nervous), and although I plan to ask my attorney this tomorrow, I thought I'd get advice from those of you who've experienced it firsthand:
I got a disconnect notice for my gas bill today. Shut off scheduled for Saturday.
My question is, after filing, can they shut me off while in automatic stay?
Should I contact them to say I'm filing?
The bill itself is over $400, and I obviously can't afford to pay to avoid shut off.

Anyone been through this situation while filing?

Thanks,
Grady

[lrprn]

A question first...did you list the gas company on your non-secured creditors list?

[Graeden]

Yes, I did include all my utilities on my creditors list.

[lrprn]

[miss puff]

Hi Graeden-I don't know the answer to your question, but if I may jump in on your thread and ask one of my own; Are you supposed to tell the utility company that you are filing BK? We are current and always have been but I don't want to be forced to anti up a deposit. Are you supposed to list utilities and phone and cable as unsecured debts? As unexpired leases? Now I am confusing myself. I only put them in my expenses. Argghhh, amazing how 1 question leads to 20

[anonymuse]

Hi Graeden-I don't know the answer to your question, but if I may jump in on your thread and ask one of my own; Are you supposed to tell the utility company that you are filing BK? We are current and always have been but I don't want to be forced to anti up a deposit. Are you supposed to list utilities and phone and cable as unsecured debts? As unexpired leases? Now I am confusing myself. I only put them in my expenses. Argghhh, amazing how 1 question leads to 20

No, from what I understand, you are not required to list them if you are not behind.

[Danielle1981]

In my opinion.....listing them is a bad idea. They may discharge it in bankruptcy, but like lrprn said, they will shut it off and restart your account with an outrageous deposit.

[Fedler]

You'll have to actually PAY that huge deposit to get service again. I bet that deposit is close to $400. That means you don't get gas anymore. It ain't the dead of winter anywhere in the US. You're outta luck. Maybe after a few cold showers, if you have a gas water heater, you'll get a second, third, or fourth job and catch up.

[alh]

The deposit MAY occur. I live in Ohio and BKed over 1000 in utilites that we were behind on and all they did was start me with a new account. No deposits were required. Also even if you have to pay a deposit you can break it up into chunks.

[AMISLANDER]

I did not list any of my utilities

...I thought it would be a bad idea...I have kept all of them current & moved & did not face any issues in regards to deposits...

[Danielle1981]

I think it's a horrible idea....maybe you had the same company when you moved from A to B.....however, when we see that on a credit report from another company.....be prepared for a huge deposit. Even though it was never BK'd on us.