Living overseas....10k in debt

[pawmccatney]

I am currently living overseas in Australia with about 10k in credit card debt back in the USA. I have never missed a payment and have never been late, although it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with payments on an 800/mo salary, with my highest balance card at a whopping 29.9% interest (with no hope of lowering that figure no matter how much I plead.)

I have spoken to various BK attorneys from California where my parents live, and where my only asset, my vehicle sits, but think that my situation is simple enough to warrant giving pro se a shot. I have only credit card debt, no other kind and no tax issues ever. I would like to begin the process of filing Ch 7 here from Australia, but I have two major concerns:

1. I do not want my parents to get wind this is happening. They are both in their sixties with health issues, I think it would stress them out severely to know that I am in this predicament. If I submit a change of address in writing to all of my creditors, will they still pursue my last known address to get the money out of me? I don't want my parents home being flooded with angry looking letters. Does anyone know of a way to avoid this happening? I'd like to get this handled as quietly as possible, perhaps opening a PO box for any correspondences and having a trusted friend check it for me.

2. I understand that I physically have to attend a 341 meeting but that in certain circumstances they may agree to video conference with the debtor. Has anyone had any experience in this?

Thank you!!

[keepmine]

You can file a change of address but, once the account goes into collections they'll write and call everyone related to you in an attempt to locate you.

The only instances I've seen where a debtor didn't attend a 341 meeting involved really serious health issues or, a member of the military that was suddenly deployed.

[MB1978]

Set up a new mailing address that will forward/fax your mail to you in Australia to keep your parents out of it. After making two payments default on all CC payments for two months. Contact a Consumer Credit Counseling service that is a non-profit. I'm not talking about a debt settlement company. Here is on you can use: cccssf.org The CCC will be able to lower your interest rates on your cards and you will enter into a monthly repayment plan. Good Luck.