I need advice... I have to file bankruptcy.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

I have been trying to avoid it, but according to the garnishment that just happened this week - I have no choice.

I know I need to get my credit reports first - I have 2 accounts I know of totaling about $150 bucks, not counting the medical bill.
I heard that now I get the reports free - anyone know how long it takes to receive them? I need to get this moving like right now.

What next? Can I fill out the paperwork myself?

Fuck! I really hate this!

:cry:

[Corgigal]

1. no need to get your credit reports

Just bring the bills to an attorney. The attorney will give you a form and you will fill it out. You have to make an appt with an attorney, find out how much they will charge you and you're on your way.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. And how much is it going to cost to go to a lawyer?

Shit - if I had any extra, I would have been putting it on this bill!

Ugh! The boys just told me school starts on the 3rd this year! School clothes and supplies AND a fuckin lawyer! It just gets deeper and deeper (the hole I'm in, or the pile of shit that's landing on me. take your pick)

[Hissyspit]

2. Get a bankruptcy lawyer and do it fast...

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. We got a lawyer. Worth the money to do it and get the papers done

right. :hug:

[LaurenG]

4. Depending on your state

of residence you are allowed one free credit report a year. However, even if you pay for them you can print them online. They're instant. Sorry to hear about your troubles. You are the third person in a month I know of trying to file. Get it done ASAP or by October the laws will change, making it more difficult.:hug:

[niallmac]

7. Fourth person eom

[LaurenG]

11. I am so sorry to hear that.

Hang in there. :hug:

[niallmac]

13. Thanks, but actually compared to the empty future

I and my family faced, at least I have a chance to have a chance now.
cheers.

[MrSlayer]

5. Do it before the new laws go into effect in October.

Otherwise you'll be on the hook for a lot of shit. Bail now.

[Lars39]

6. Here's alist of certified bankruptcy lawyers for Oregon:

http://www.abcworld.org/cor.html

We found one near us. His fees will be monthly,included in the total.
Don't delay. We were told most lawyers won't be accepting clients after Oct 1st. Good luck!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. thank you!!

I knew I could count on you guys.

:hug:

[Rainscents]

8. Yes, you must do it real fast!!!!!!!!!!

Bankruptcy has to be filled in Court by September 30th! Anything after that, well, you know.

I just had my son file for this and his lawyer told him he need to do this soon as possible!!!

BTW; My son got credit report online for free because it was his first. His lawyer bill was $700.00 in Portland OR. Of course, I paid for this. If you need help getting credit report, lawyer will get it for you.

[frylock]

10. i did it myself last march..

just a lot of paperwork to fill out. Of course, I'm not a property owner. If you own any real estate, I would suggest an attorney.

Here in California, I was able to make an emergency filing with a minimum of paperwork, and was given 30 days to complete the remainder. If you're being hassled by collection agencies, I would suggest you do the same. Don't procrastinate! I really wanted to try and pay off my debts, but being that I was unemployed for 10 months, bankruptcy was my only option. I could kick myself for not doing it sooner rather than drain my accounts paying the minimum on my credit cards all those months. Best of luck. :hug:

[liberalhistorian]

12. PM me if you need help on completing

the paperwork and with any questions-I'm a paralegal who knows this area inside and out and right now I'm helping others do their paperwork before the new draconian laws take effect in October.

[rocktivity]

15. My bankruptcy lawyer allowed me to pay in three installments

He didn't file until I was paid in full, but he put a stop to all the phone calls and letters and things in the meantime. He said he had a client who had to pay him twenty installments!

On Edit: And there's something else--after my initial consultation with the lawyer, I left feeling lower than a snake's belly. But when I woke next morning, I felt like a ten-ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders!

:headbang:
rocknation

[spuddonna]

16. Ok, bankruptcy...

DH and I filed personal and business bankruptcy 10 years ago. We just celebrated it coming off our credit history. Yeah, it takes that long to get it off... :eyes: You get my full sympathy! :pals:

Bankruptcy is not fun by any stretch of the imagination. But it won't permanently destroy your credit rating. Here's a few things I remember from our experience, but I'm not saying it's the only stuff to do. Every state has different laws, and different limits on what's protected.

Get a lawyer and file ASAP. It is possible to do this all on your own, but it sure helps to have someone on your side. A lawyer will be able to help you file the paperwork and guide you, especially if you are as nervous as we were in court. My poor hubby was literally in a state of shock, so our lawyer helped to prompt him along during the hearing.

You may find a young lawyer who is looking for court experience that is cheaper - I know a good friend of mine that helped his parents file did that, but it was via word of mouth. Yeah, I know a LOT of people that have filed! Two family members due to business problems, and two friends/friend's families due to health problems and medical bills.

You've probably heard about the law changes, so just do it asap. Plus, the sooner you file, the sooner any harassing phone calls from creditors will stop (if you are getting them). That was a huge relief for us. Also, as soon as you file you get to stop paying any of the bills that you've filed bankruptcy on, so the 'black hole' effect that drains the money away will stop, or at least slow down.

If you have real estate, definitely talk to a lawyer. We didn't own a home - we were renting, but the laws get complicated if you do own. But if you do rent, don't miss payments on your apartment/rental house. That can make it very difficult to rent other apartments/houses down the line. We never had any trouble renting even with the bankruptcy on our credit history because we always paid our rent on time. Very important! I'd like to scream it to all the young people on the board: Do not miss your apt rent payments! It will seriously screw you up!

Most states aren't going to try to take the clothes off your back - they give you an 'allowance' of things you can own. The goal of bankruptcy (at least it used to be) was to free you from insane loads of debt so you could get back to a reasonable financial situation where you can survive and pay your bills.

Also, the credit card companies/other loan companies don't want to walk away empty handed. You may be able to renegotiate loan rates, amounts, and 're-assume' the loans or cards, depending on what your situation is...

I think you'll feel better once you have talked to a lawyer. It gets that 'worst case scenario' figured out, and you can breathe a little bit better... Good luck, and if you need to vent or cry, you always have my shoulder! :)