How long can I hold off CC companies?

[1aliasfan]

I may have a unique situation. I filed for C7 in 2003 and discharged in 2004. I cannot file C7 again until 2011. I can file a C13 but it looks like I don't make enough money to have any to put into a plan. I'm married, 4 kids and we lack about $2K a month to make CC payments. I haven't made payments since March so I am 6 months behind. I am meeting with another attorney this week to get his opinion. CCCS can't help me unless I come up with another $1500. All other payments are on time. Its only $33K in CC and about $6K in medical that are not paid. Should I send $10 a month to each creditor and see how long I can hold them off until 2011? Anyone have any thoughts?

[BigJohn]

Do you own a house? How much equity?
Do you own a car? How much equity?
Income?
State of residence?

[treehugger1]

2011? Three years from now... You can expect acounts to charge-off. This will probably happen regardless of whether or not you send them $10 per month. If you are in a wage garnishment state, can you survive on 75% of take-home pay? It sounds as if you can given your current credit card payments. The best advice I can give you is "roll the dice" since you cannot currently file for a BK. Your state of residence will dictate what exemptions and protections you have against creditors and collection agencies.

[1aliasfan]

House has no equity. Cars have no equity (owe more than worth so can't sell). Live in Kansas. Our monthly income is $6600 with living expenses of $7200 (if you detail out every expense you can possibly think of). This does not include credit cards.

[treehugger1]

Wow, you sound like me. LOL Except I filed a 7 back in the late 70's or early 80's. I could file a 13 now, but I'm not so sure I'd gain anything other than automatic stay. It could be that you will need to hunker in and await collections calls (inhouse and CA's), probable charge-offs, potential suits (especially from local creditors), and researching how to deal with collection letters and calls. You can keep sturggling along, but you might also be able to call your creditors and see if they have any kind of programs. You might want to read through the collection posts and see what information you can gather.

[1aliasfan]

Thanks. I tried negotiating with all of them, but my payments totalled over $1000 a month. I don't have that. I don't have any local creditors. About 3 accounts are with collection agencies now. I have to ward off garnishments or I lose my job. I am meeting with another bk lawyer this week, i hope, to discuss my options and what is best. I can probably afford to send token payments of $10 a month to each creditor starting in January just to show good faith but that doesn't do me any good.