bankruptcy? what kind of expenses

[gleni]

What is the name of your state? washington state

Hello,
my wife and i were considering filing bankruptcy, i am currently disabled with lower back problem and my wife is recieving ssi in the amount of 790.00. what kind of expenses will bankruptcy allow? what kinds of things should i bring to a lawyers office for a consultation?my other problem is i've been using my credit card right up to mid-november. how long do i have to have no activity before i can file?
thank you
glen

 

[bigun]

Bring a list of all creditors and your income. Any cc use within 60 days of filing and those charges can't be included in bk.
What do you mean by expenses?

 

[gleni]

expenses

hi thanks for responding. expenses by rent utilities, haircuts, etc.
also cards used 60 days prior to filing can't file the last 60 days of charges or entire account total?
thanks
glen

 

[bigun]

Charges made within 60 days will likely be disallowed. Not the entire balance prior to the 60 days. That'll be discharged.

Allowable living expenses are rent, auto loans, utlities, insurance, food and medicine, clothing, personal care items, haircuts, vet bills {if you have pets}, taxes, and so forth and so on. Your lawyer will look at your expenses and see if they're reasonable. Get out your check registers and bank statements and see where you're spending money.

 

[NYMinute]

not true,
I filed bankruptcy in 1997 and charged up until the day I filed and they were all discharged. I didnt do cash advances but I did charge.

 

[Ladynred]

Those debts incurred within the 60 days prior to filing could just as easily been EXCLUDED from discharge - you got lucky or perhaps your charges were for NECESSITIES - like groceries and medications. In that case, its up to the Trustee to allow or disallow the discharge of those charges.

As for expenses, the site below has an excellent list you can use:

http://www.ca-bankruptcy-attorneys.com/calculators/expense_calculator.html

 

[NYMinute]

Hi LadyinRed,
No, they werent for necessities, trust me. I didnt plan on filing bankruptcy until my so called best friend told me he couldnt pay back the 10k I loaned him. I couldnt keep up with payments. I had to file, but within 60 days of that, I know I charged for NON-NECESSITIES.