are we protected?

[jujumom]

What is the name of your state? CALIFORNIA

I hope someone is able to help me. My husband and I had hired a company to put in a backyard covered BBQ area back in June of 06. We had several issues with them and still owe them a final payment of about $1,300. There were also two fans they never billed us for (worth about $1,200each). We sent them emails, calls and finally a letter with a deadline that we would file a claim with the State Contractor's board if no reply was made. There is a cement countertop that has some serious issues and needs to be replaced and a roof that has leaks and despite being completely replaced, still leaks. Now, in December they filed chapter 7. There is a meeting of creditors in 2 weeks. Is there any reason for us to go? Would we stand any chance of collecting any money for the unfinished work or should we worry about someone wanting to collecting the monies we haven't paid them, even though they haven't finished the job? Another concern we have is that we have been told many times that they would provide us with the necessary information (color combinations, types of concretes etc.) so that we could have that in case we needed it for future reference. How do we go about getting that information now? There are two countertops and there isn't anyway to match the colors without replacing BOTH. Would we be able to obtain that at the creditors meeting? Can anyone tell me where to start?
Thanks so much.
Julie

 

[bigun]

In a no asset Chapter 7, you're pretty much done.
You've the right to attend the 341 meeting but unless you can prove some sort of fraud, your claim will be lumped in with all the other creditors and will likely be worthless.
Whatever you do, don't contact them directly. It'll violate the automatic stay they receive in bk proceedings.

 

[jujumom]

update to meeting...BIG TROUBLE AHEAD?

CALIFORNIA

This isn't sounding good.
My husband attending the meeting this morning. At the advice of an attorney who told us to go and file a complaint for the unfinished work and that we wanted our "file" that contains our job information. He said sometimes if creditors see that you have unfinished work, they may not bother coming for what you might owe. So he went for those reasons this morning, only to discovers many other clients of this company there as well---all very unhappy. One lady in tears because they destroyed the project they did in her backyard that was some sort of a memorial to her daughter (who was apparently buried in their yard.) How sad for someone to take advantage of people anyway...but geez!!! Some are ready to file criminal charges because apparently, they did not pull building permits on many, many projects. I cringe at the thought of what we have spent on this and that it could be torn down if permits were not pulled. It isn't something we checked on. Anyone have any advice what to do first and what is the best thing to do.
Thanks.
J