Income reporting

[laywerless]

What is the name of your state? Florida

I have the Nolo Press book but cannot solve this myself.
I am married filing alone. My husband is self-employed. The way the form is worded makes it sound like I do not need to put down my husbands information or income, but his is the only source of income for the family. What is Florida law for reporting "head of household" income? Will I need to show our tax return from last year? I made the fatal mistake of sending off our taxes without making a copy, can I retrieve copies from somewhere? I have written records of his earnings since the beginning of the business, however we are just really getting the hang of it and I fear that my records will not be sufficient. Any advice for the weary?

Question #2: Do I list my baby's clothes, toys, high-chair etc... They are technically "his" property. Please tell me there is some lee-way here.

Question #3: Back to financial records. We have received many gifts of support from family during our financial crisis after the birth of my son. I have made an effort to jot down how much each month we were given, but again my records are shaky. How deeply will my bank statements be investigated? Will each deposit need a documented source or does it matter more that my records add up to my total deposits? Bear with me! We have nothing to hide, we are just new at this.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond,
Lawyerless

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

First, how many people are in your household?

What is your husband's annual income?

What is the total household debt?

Why aren't you working?

IAAL

 

[Ladynred]

Question #1:

You can get a copy of last years tax return, as you filed it, from the IRS. Call them and find out what you need to do to get a copy.

Question #2:

You lump you assets into categories; furniture. clothing, etc. However, its YOUR assets, that are considered. For joint assets, like furniture bought during the marriage, list them, mark them as "JOINT" on the form, and use 50% of the garage sale value as YOUR interest in that property.

I don't think you have to worry about listing your babie's clothing. There IS some lee-way, but in FL there's not much. If you're filing separately, then its only YOUR portion of the assets to be considered. FL only allows $1000 for personal property.

Question #3:

Your bank statements probably won't be scrutinize that closely, though you should have organized and ready to produce up to a years' worth of statements. Trustee's often as pro se filers for more backup documentation. At the very least, the Trustee will want the bank statement that covers the day/month you filed. If there are any questions about the deposits from family gifts, that's what you tell the Trustee, it was help from your family after you had the baby.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Question #1:

You can get a copy of last years tax return, as you filed it, from the IRS. Call them and find out what you need to do to get a copy.

Question #2:

You lump you assets into categories; furniture. clothing, etc. However, its YOUR assets, that are considered. For joint assets, like furniture bought during the marriage, list them, mark them as "JOINT" on the form, and use 50% of the garage sale value as YOUR interest in that property.

I don't think you have to worry about listing your babie's clothing. There IS some lee-way, but in FL there's not much. If you're filing separately, then its only YOUR portion of the assets to be considered. FL only allows $1000 for personal property.

Question #3:

Your bank statements probably won't be scrutinize that closely, though you should have organized and ready to produce up to a years' worth of statements. Trustee's often as pro se filers for more backup documentation. At the very least, the Trustee will want the bank statement that covers the day/month you filed. If there are any questions about the deposits from family gifts, that's what you tell the Trustee, it was help from your family after you had the baby.

My comment:

Hey, Ladynred - -

Have you noticed that when these deadbeats are asked why they aren't working they disappear from the forums?

IAAL

 

[laywerless]

Deadbeat?

Otherwise known as stay at home mom. Just got the baby down for the day and checked my email, I was shocked having so little information on me you would decide that I was a deadbeat. I guess filing for bankruptcy kind of instantly gives you that reputation huh?

I am not working because I want to raise my own child.

Thank you for your reply's! I will do more research and get back if I can't figure it out from here, Thanks.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Re: Deadbeat?

Otherwise known as stay at home mom. Just got the baby down for the day and checked my email, I was shocked having so little information on me you would decide that I was a deadbeat. I guess filing for bankruptcy kind of instantly gives you that reputation huh?

I am not working because I want to raise my own child.

Thank you for your reply's! I will do more research and get back if I can't figure it out from here, Thanks.

My response:

Oh, please. You've been gone for 3 hours. It doesn't take that long to put "the baby down for the day."

Having a baby is no excuse for not working. Certainly, you can flip hamburgers for 4 hours per day, or work an 8 hour shift at night.

And, of course, you didn't answer my previous questions, which tells me you're looking for "the easy way out".

Well, my dear, there's no free lunch, and everything you do has a downside.

IAAL

 

[laywerless]

Whatever dude

I didn't respond to your questions because I was quite taken aback. I never thought that by inquiring as to the proper procedure for filling out a form would produce such judgement. My household size: 3
Annual income: Approx. $20,000
Total Debt: 15,000 before any leftover owed on recently repossessed vehicle.

I have no problem listing my husbands income, I just want to do what is appropriate.

You unlike me are obviously perfect and would go flip burgers (instead of spending quality time with loved ones), to pay back those poor mistreated creditors. I on the other hand am a selfish but hard worker who believes that children need full time mommys and that hard working fathers deserve full time wives. Call me old fashioned; say I'm irresponsible, but deadbeat? You suck.

 

[laywerless]

Oh yeah

By the way, since you are so concerned with my daily activities, I was "gone 3 hours" because I went grocery shopping at walmart, then bathed my son and put him to sleep, I even fed myself a little! Who pissed in your corn flakes today to make you so grumpy?

 

[Ladynred]

pissed in his cornflakes !??? ROFL !!

Lawyerless, thanks for the sunday morning laugh IAAL doesn't need piss in his cornflakes to make him grumpy, that's his natural demeanor. Don't argue with him.. it aint' worth it.

Being a stay-at-home mom and full-time wife may not be as 'popular' today as it was in the 50's, but I applaud you for it.

 

[donnymax]

pissed in his cornflakes !??? ROFL !!

Lawyerless, thanks for the sunday morning laugh IAAL doesn't need piss in his cornflakes to make him grumpy, that's his natural demeanor. Don't argue with him.. it aint' worth it.

Being a stay-at-home mom and full-time wife may not be as 'popular' today as it was in the 50's, but I applaud you for it.

I agree with Ladynred! Besides, bk was created to help people who need debt relief. It doesn't mean you're a deadbeat because of circumstances you can't change. Don't pay any attention to IAAL or others with his opinion. You're to be commended for wanting to raise your child yourself and not put your child in daycare. Besides, daycare would no doubt cost you more than you could earn flippin' burgers at minimum wage....

 

[laywerless]

Thanks

Thanks for the friendly replys!

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Yes, everybody . . . encourage her to keep having babies she can't afford, and to stay at home, and to let her put her bills on your doorstep to pay. Why should she care?

Yes, that's right. When she stays home voluntarily, and says "to hell with my debts", what she's really saying is, "I don't give a damn if you have to pay more for goods, services and higher interest rates - - it's not my problem, it's yours."

Does anybody actually believe that those big, bad, companies "take the hit"? Not on your life. What she's doing is helping to increase your costs of living, like rent, food, utilities, etc.

But, that's okay. You keep encouraging her to be a deadbeat. You'll pay her bills.

IAAL

 

[donnymax]

My response:

Yes, everybody . . . encourage her to keep having babies she can't afford, and to stay at home, and to let her put her bills on your doorstep to pay. Why should she care?

Yes, that's right. When she stays home voluntarily, and says "to hell with my debts", what she's really saying is, "I don't give a damn if you have to pay more for goods, services and higher interest rates - - it's not my problem, it's yours."

Does anybody actually believe that those big, bad, companies "take the hit"? Not on your life. What she's doing is helping to increase your costs of living, like rent, food, utilities, etc.

But, that's okay. You keep encouraging her to be a deadbeat. You'll pay her bills.

IAAL

Boy! You're a real piece of work! I now understand how lawyer's got such a "fine" reputation. You sure you don't work for a CA?

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Boy! You're a real piece of work! I now understand how lawyer's got such a "fine" reputation. You sure you don't work for a CA?

My response:

And, what part of my post do you disagree with?

Do you like paying higher costs? You see, I'm wealthy, so it really doesn't bother me too much at all. However, it's you po' folks that should be up-in-arms about this!

Had a good steak lately, or lobster - - or are you still surviving on Hamburger Helper?

IAAL

 

[donnymax]

My response:

And, what part of my post do you disagree with?

Do you like paying higher costs? You see, I'm wealthy, so it really doesn't bother me too much at all. However, it's you po' folks that should be up-in-arms about this!

Had a good steak lately, or lobster - - or are you still surviving on Hamburger Helper?

IAAL

You're REAL CUTE, fella, but I agree with LadynRed.... you're really not worth arguing with....