Which was harder?

[btbeme]

I made appointments with 5 attorneys when I first decided to explore the possibility of filing. The first one gave me all of 5 minutes and basically treated me like I had a disease. Looking back, it was probably because my filing has some small wrinkles in it and he simply did not want to deal with them. When you have people lined up outside your door, why not take the easy cases, you know?

I found one that I was very comfortable speaking with, but did not retain him. He was a very nice guy, had good pre-filing advice, but seemed like he was missing some info (I got different answers for the same questions).

The search for the RIGHT attorney was the hard part. Keeping emotions out of the decision was tough.

[Universal]

Deciding who to deal with and making the call. I felt embarrassed since I work for an attorney, not bk atty., and this is not a large city. When I found out what the payback would be, $1240.00/mo., I really hit rock bottom. After that, I was ready to file and get it done so we could start working towards the final payment, which we couldn't do until we'd made the first payment.

[scrapiron53]

1. Admitting failure (again). This is not my 1st. BK. but it will be my last.
2. Calling the lawyer.
3. Deciding for Chapter 7
4. Filling out the papers.

My income went down by 33%, I moved out of state for another job, I couldn't sell my house. It is due to foreclose on the 22nd. Had it up for rent 9 months with no takers.
Invested way too much in the house, $60K. House went from $417K to $279K. less than I originally paid in 2001, $290k.

I feel like a complete and utter failure.

[smithjake03]

keptdigging, We have same opinion...

[keptdigging]

Making the appointment!
Why? Because half the attorneys I contact don't even respond. And one response doesn't necessarily lead to an appointment. I guess they're rather busy...

[smithjake03]

Making an appointment with an attorney is not really a bad idea especially when it comes to legal matters they will handle your case personally as opposed to handing the matter off to an inexperienced associate.

[robertg]

Actually meeting with the attorney. The commitment level is evident at that point---

[flyinbroke]

The hardest parts to me were admitting that "work hard, sell shit, take second job and use a debt snowball" does not work at all when you have about 120K total debt (sorry, Dave Ramsey) and actually stopping payment on CCs. Admitting that things were not working meant taking a fierce look at the inside and admitting that I made stupid decisions (the master's degree I am not using, the ex-spouse who donated 50K in debt and said leaving him was the stupidest thing I had ever done when in reality it was the second stupidest thing.)

Once I got past stopping payment and actually had cash at my disposal, I got over that. I realized that I don't want to work till I am dead and I figure I would still owe money at this rate. I decided to go for the BK when i realized I did not want to listen to the damn phone ring or worry about someone showing up with a judgment.

Now hunting for the attorney, and it strangely does not bother me that much.

[sofarsogood2]

Both steps were difficult. First, the feeling of failure and sheer terror when you finally realize you need to make the appointments. Then the fear and worry about picking the best attorney for your case. Our case was not usual and the first 3 attorneys we went to gave us bad advice- I don't think they clearly understood the odd part of our case(they weren't really listening when we explained our situation). 4th attorney almost gave the same advice, but in the middle of the meeting, she paused like a light bulb went on, and came up with a new game plan. We went with #4 and so far, so good.

[klandsb]

I think retaining a lawyer was the hardest part. I had gotten to the point where it was sink or swim. I decided to swim !! After going to 3 attorneys and discussing the financial nightmare I had gotten myself into I just wanted to get it started but worried about picking the wrong attorney to represent me... Its really hard w/meeting attorneys for an hour or so and deciding this is the one.... If I had to do it over again I wish I had gone to more but with a judgement pending and working full time at 10am-6:30 pm it was hard to try and fit consults in .... I could eat up all my vacation time by taking days off to meet with attorneys only to find out I didnt like them at all.... But I am on the road to financial freedom and have a sense of accomplishment. Just hoping the next 5 yrs go smoothly....

[Spagal]

Making the appointment to discuss my options was the hardest. I liken it to an Alcoholic going to their first AA meeting. Denial is usually the first sign of addiction and having that appointment meant that I had to admit that I had a problem. I quite using the cards before the appt but it was cold turkey and all cash budget. Now I am working the "12 steps of BK...getting my life in order on to file and then going to file and blah blah blah. its a long process but at the end I will be "Financially sober". Not "using" and plastic. I guess you have to try and keep a sense of humor (at least I do) since this is such serious life altering business.

[tramettrust]

I have a lot of friends which makes it easier to look for lawyers in that case, that is why i voted for "retain the attorney's services". But looking for the best lawyers in my case would differs everything. I know i was bankrupt, but to lose even the house or not really depends on the lawyer.

[momisery]

Even considering a BK was mind blowing to me! I am gong to be 60 soon, and I would never have considered doing this before. But when you have no choice you have no choice. It is either this or be called by creditors, have granishments and court dates and not be able to hope for a future at all. I would lose all assets if I do not fight back is my concern and they would leave me with debt. Knowing Wall Street got bailed out and how much they are making while so many are unemployed, and knowing that they were never worth it ... that is what made it "okay" in my mind finally. But I still feel bad about the whole thing.

[NHC]

NHC: In about 70 -80 days, you should be here where this member is:

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=48259

Good luck to you, and I'm glad the blood pressure is better.

Actually, I got it filed last week Thursday...and the most nerve wrecking part was the clerk doing the check off sheet to make sure all my paperwork was there...and it was....she said it was a very clean filing...and sent me across the hall to the clerk who actually does the filing. I have my "341" on Dec. 18th....so I just sit and wait now. I do intend to keep up the loan on my car so I did call and talk to my account rep who was very nice and understanding.

[nerves]

I would say setting up the appt and meeting with the attorney. To top it off, after I was in his office, I realized I had my shirt on inside out We met with him again a few days later and retained him (I made sure I had my shirt on the right way). So far, he has been very good with us and I don't think we could have chosen better representation. If he doesn't hear from us for a few days he calls and checks in. Calls are always returned within a day (unless he is out of town). The fee was very reasonable - $1125 and he didn't charge us anything extra for the business issues. Our 341 meeting is on Monday so we are playing the waiting game. I think the hardest part is to come for me personally. After it is all said and done, our local newspaper will print it and the issue will be how secure my job is. Right now I am the only income and insurance provider. I am praying to our good lord that DH gets this job he applied for. This will help with the stress. We can live on what I earn if he doesn't but the job security is really stressing me out. Sorry for all the extra drama added - but I must say it feels good to get it out.