Are my high-maintenance dogs going to get me in trouble?

[Dee]

I'm trying to fill out tthe paperwork for my actual expenses and I'm wondering how high the trustee's eyebrows are going to go when they see our bills for our 3 dogs.

One of them has a liver disease and had to have a very expensive surgery a few months ago. Now she will be on 2 medications for the rest of her life at about $50/month (she's only 2 years old) and has to have routine tests to monitor her liver. She also has to eat a special food that costs us $25/month. One of our other dogs has a kidney problem and has to eat a different food, also at $25/month. Because of the multiple health problems and the HUGE vet bills we've had in the past, we have a veterinary wellness plan for the 3 dogs that costs a total of $89/month. It has paid for itself numerous times, since it also pays for all shots, check-ups, tests, teeth cleaning, etc and we only pay a fraction of other medical procedures. We also get them groomed once every 3 months (they're poodles - they NEED to be groomed!) at $40 each.

So, total, we spend about $229/month on them. How big of a problem is this going to be? I'm in Middle District Florida, if that makes a difference.

[SMinGA]

No way to predict how a particular district/trustee will react. What some do on expenses they don't want to itemize (high pet expenses, cigarettes, etc.) is include it in other categories. Such as if you are under the norm on groceries, personal care and clothing: add $30 here, $50 there to those areas and absorb some of the expense.

The pet care plans can be useful. We adopted a cat & puppy 2 1/2 years ago - and just after that found our our older dog had heartworms. The adoption included a free 90 day care program - and it saved us 20% on heartworm treatments and got us discounts on the puppy shots as well.

[tobee43]

sorry, i'll be of no help with your question, however, i find it extremely interesting and really do wonder how the courts view this type of situation.

in the good OLD days we used to raise and show both cats and dogs, but, now due to our financial situation had to place them all in loving families...which was so difficult for us to do.


i did wonder how the court would view this, so i hope someone has an answer for you.

best of luck!

[UghUghUgh]

I am curious as well. I will follow this closely and hope that someone chimes in with some info. GL!

[scorpion35]

I'm trying to fill out tthe paperwork for my actual expenses and I'm wondering how high the trustee's eyebrows are going to go when they see our bills for our 3 dogs.

One of them has a liver disease and had to have a very expensive surgery a few months ago. Now she will be on 2 medications for the rest of her life at about $50/month (she's only 2 years old) and has to have routine tests to monitor her liver. She also has to eat a special food that costs us $25/month. One of our other dogs has a kidney problem and has to eat a different food, also at $25/month. Because of the multiple health problems and the HUGE vet bills we've had in the past, we have a veterinary wellness plan for the 3 dogs that costs a total of $89/month. It has paid for itself numerous times, since it also pays for all shots, check-ups, tests, teeth cleaning, etc and we only pay a fraction of other medical procedures. We also get them groomed once every 3 months (they're poodles - they NEED to be groomed!) at $40 each.

So, total, we spend about $229/month on them. How big of a problem is this going to be? I'm in Middle District Florida, if that makes a difference.

theres no way the trustee is going to allow it

[tobee43]

theres no way the trustee is going to allow it

i hate to agree...but i think scoprion just stung the truth....

[Dee]

theres no way the trustee is going to allow it

Yikes. Should I pad other expenses, like food, to cover? Our 2-yr old furbaby would die without her meds.

[Flamingo]

The issue here is what is above "normal" as to pet ownership in the area where the OP resides. Many people have dogs and cats and go through BK but that is only usually one dog or cat as many folks in financial straights find homes for pets they cannot afford to take care of (look how many pets are left in abandoned homes). Because the OP's expenses are higher than normal and a lot of money is going to their care that the OP really cannot afford since he is filing BK, either it will not be allowed or a ton of proof is going to have to be supplied to back all of the illnesses, medications, etc. up. I believe an attorney from that area is going to have to answer the OP's question regarding this situation.

[HakunaMatata]

I averaged nearly $500/month on pet expenses (largely due to a major surgery). My district would have never permitted such. I added the cost of pet food to my personal grocery bill and noted a $25/month pet expense. You may be able to place the medication costs in your medical (especially if the meds come from a standard pharmacy). If you have an attorney, I'd inquire about the monthly insurance cost. You may be able to include this (as a whole or reduced to local standards) depending on your district.

[tobee43]

dee it's difficult for anyone to suggest or agree with you to be dishonest with any of your answers for your means test or paper work....

but if i could be anonymous and you pretend like you can't see me...i would do it, but i never said that, or suggested that, actually, i'm not even here!

[Dee]

dee it's difficult for anyone to suggest or agree with you to be dishonest with any of your answers for your means test or paper work....

but if i could be anonymous and you pretend like you can't see me...i would do it, but i never said that, or suggested that, actually, i'm not even here!

Thanks - you made me chuckle. And that's not easy to do lately.

[tobee43]

Thanks - you made me chuckle. And that's not easy to do lately.

it was my pleasure...if i could relieve your stress even if only for a moment

[andy158]

We have three dogs ( two dachsunds and a cocker spaniel), a cat and a bird and included an expense of $80 per month and no questions were asked. If the trustee is an animal lover, he/she will understand the theraputic value of pet ownership. They are great stress relievers. Wish we could claim them on income tax!

[drowning123]

Thanks - you made me chuckle. And that's not easy to do lately.

Tobee makes everyone bust out laughing! LOL!

[drowning123]

We have three dogs ( two dachsunds and a cocker spaniel), a cat and a bird and included an expense of $80 per month and no questions were asked. If the trustee is an animal lover, he/she will understand the theraputic value of pet ownership. They are great stress relievers. Wish we could claim them on income tax!

Since they can take your animal if it's worth over a certain amount, I guess they only see it as property - no sentimental value there.