ADVICE Needed, Please help?

[refractoryman]

What is the name of your state? Ohio
My wife filed Bankruptcy Chapter 7 in 2002 prior to our marriage in 2004. Between 2004 and now she has racked up close to $50,000.00 in unsecured credit debt unknown to me until now. She has a $22,000.00 card that she is the secondary signer on with her Dad as the primary signer. The rest are all misc. cards she obtained and ran up dept on. She quit her job 5 Months ago and we are 3-4 Months behind on all bills. We have been evicted from our apartment and lived with my parents for a few weeks until they got wind of the entire picture. We were asked to leave and not come back until we had a plan. We also have (2) small children. I make only $14.62 / Hr. I am wondering if I can assume my wifes dept even though it is all in her name and claim bankruptcy in my name? Or could she possibly file chapter 13 and use my wages as a plan to pay back? What type of Lawyer should I look for / credentials? My wife wants to sign on with one of these outfits that can reduce your debt by up to 70%. My Dad says these are scams and to be cautious. Please help?? Dire situation.
Thank you

 

[bigun]

Hell no don't assume debt that's not yours.
Honestly, she needs to get a job and fund her own Chapter 13. Failing that, I'd cut her loose and let her deal with her own mess. Your parents are on the right track.

 

[Ladynred]

Or, she could just file for Ch 7 and have it discharged. At your income level, your household income is probably under the median income for the means test.

You can't take on your wife's debt, it's all hers.

 

[Gregeney]

Or, she could just file for Ch 7 and have it discharged.

She filed Ch7 in 2002. She'll have to wait until 2010 to file another, assuming she got a discharge.

 

[Ladynred]

Ack.. how the heck did I miss that ???

Looks like a Ch 13.. time to get a job !

 

[TigerD]

She filed Ch7 in 2002. She'll have to wait until 2010 to file another, assuming she got a discharge.

You might consider some kind of counseling as well. That kind of spending seem to indicate a problem great than poor money management.

DC