So it's a good thing I called the Trustee's office

[chpxiii]

I posted a couple of weeks ago that I had requested a pay off. I called my attorney's office to talk about it and ask questions and the paralegal who took my call misunderstood and went ahead and sent one in.

At anyrate, I told her I had a new address and agreed to fax it with my signature - as per her request. She then told me she'd tell the trustee's office my new address.

Did she?

No.

So the pay off got sent to an old address and I never received it. Which was a good thing because the nice young lady at the trustee's office with whom I spoke last Friday told me they had actually made an error in saying that my pay off amount was $63,000. Yes, THOUSAND. eeps! I'd have freaked out if I saw that.

She then told me to fax the trustee's office directly with my change of address. His website has a form. I immediately took lunch and went to Kinko's to accomplish printing and faxing my new address this past Friday.

It's a good thing I called today. When I called another nice woman went and found the fax and said she was going to update my address and make sure that my pay off gets sent out *today.*

I am SO ANXIOUS about it. Like, a kid on a CHRISTMAS EVE anxious. This pay off is my birthday gift to myself (this next Sunday). I hope I see it in the mail by Wednesday or Thursday.

Even though I used a lawyer to file, I'm still the one that has to keep on top of things. Kind of makes you wonder what I paid the lawyer for.

[jp2861]

Good post! I think good follow-up is a necessary evil but needed to protect yourself. I'm wondering if some more experienced members can chime in on ways to follow-up on the process. I retained a lawyer today and hope to file the first week of next month. I'd like some ideas on how to follow-up or make sure that there aren't things that the trustee is needing. I've heard of things falling through the cracks due to foul ups or lawyers/paralegals dropping the ball. How does one ensure that everything is in order and flowing the way it should be?

[toomuch]

I'll be watching this thread also.

[lrprn]

The key to a smooth bankruptcy is hiring the right lawyer. You can't do that unless you understand bankruptcy very well yourself. Educating yourself first, then interviewing 3-4 lawyers usually gives you a good idea of who you want to represent you.

Don't start going around your lawyer to contact creditors or the trustee yourself without checking with your lawyer first. It's possible to really mess up your case that way.

If your lawyer is not being as responsive as you think is appropriate, talk to your lawyer. Don't assume your lawyer isn't interested or isn't competent. Often we think courts and lawyers should operate the way they do on TV - just not true. We worry, fret, and stress a lot because we don't understand the inside court process. Our lawyers live the process every day. Yes, some lawyers do make mistakes. But don't assume that because a few do, they all will.