Filed Chapter 7 Pro Se - wish me luck!

Wish things go smooth with you.

All the best with the creditors meet!

Just got a letter to today:

"Order Respecting Amendment to Schedule D, E or F or List of Creditors"

I hate the US mail system. This was mailed on the 2nd of February, received today, and now I have only 6 days to complete all the requirements and file it with the court along with an affadavit.

Best of luck to you! I did my own pro se Chapter 7 in 2008 and it was successful. Perhaps I was lucky, but my experience was that everyone involved in the process - the clerks, the judge, the trustee, the US Trustee (they reviewed my case) and even the creditors' attorneys that I had to speak to - were always pleasant and often even helpful. Not one person throughout the entire process made me feel uncomfortable. I was a little intimidated when the US Attorney's Office sent me a letter asking for additional information, but when I actually spoke to the attorney it was not a problem at all.

Some experiences that I will pass on if it helps:

Research, research, research. Read as much as you can. If you find information on the Internet make sure it gets corroborated by more than one source. I did find - even on bankruptcy attorney's web sites - incorrect information. Be especially sure that you get the local rules for your bankruptcy court, read them, and follow them. If you have a question how to do something, call the clerk. I found the book "Bankruptcy Laws for Dummies" to be most helpful. It is not written for pro se filers (in fact it advises against it, but its written by an attorney, so you connect the dots...) but it was still full of very useful information. Also, the law itself really isn't that hard to read (at least I didn't think it was). Your local court's website probably has links to the federal site and the actual Chapter 7 code.

Make 1000% sure you listed all your creditors on your mailing matrix and your schedules. If you forget one, they MIGHT be able to come after you after you get your discharge.

Be brutally honest about everything. If you find you made a mistake in your filing, amend it ASAP.

Be sure to meet all deadlines. If you need an extension of time (such as for the document you just received) you can sometimes ask for one, but you need to do it properly. You might have to file a motion for an extension. Call the clerk if you're not sure.

Get an ECF/PACER account. This was, without a doubt, the best step I did in the process. PACER is the court's electronic filing system, and anyone can get an account (but only attorneys can file through it). You can follow the process of your case online, and look up other cases if you want to to see how to handle something. The account is free, but you will be charged a small fee (8 cents per page) for searches/downloads. Your local bankruptcy court's website should have a link to the service. Look for ECF or PACER. You can't file electronically but you can see everything there - including a few documents (like opinions from the Trustee) that don't get mailed to you.

If you're nervous about the meeting of creditors, don't be. If you're still nervous after reading that sentence, then go to one before yours is scheduled and observe. They are really nothing to be afraid of, and if you have a straightforward case you'll probably be in front of the trustee for 5 minutes (but you will also probably wait your turn for a while). Creditors almost never appear at Ch 7 meetings.

Keep your case number and filing date handy. It works real well if some PITA CA calls you after you've filed.

Good Luck!

I filed my ch.7 Pro Se on 2/22/10, and just registered on PACER. I don't know if I should bother looking up my case stuff yet. My 341 meeting isn't until 4/1/10.

I've gotten a few OC's/CA's notifications sent back to me with "not deliverable" USPS stickers on the envelopes. I'm both faxing & re-mailing to each OC/CA, the notification. I'm mailing with a Certified Mail Receipt to cover myself at the 341 meeting. I had court notification that they didn't have a correct address to mail to one CA. They did have the correct address (PO Box), but the CA gave me their actual business address & I mailed it to them with the Certified Mail Receipt. I don't know if I have to submit a corrected schedule with the address to court since I mailed it myself. That's the only fuzzy thing so far.

I would certainly update the address info with the court if you get corrected info. There will be other notices the court may send (including your discharge when you get there), so its best to keep them up to date. Consult your local court's rules or the clerk on how to update addresses. Good luck!

I'm about to meet with a bankruptcy attourney as well. It's really something, because EVERYBODY is practically screaming at me "don't do it" like I'm a jumper on a roof top. Here's the way I see it. First of all, everybody I know has some how gone through life unscathed. Money has never been an issue with them. One has never even so much as applied for a credit card. Lived life on a "cash only" basis. Why listen to them? They have never been in any kind of debt. How can they truly know how it is for someone like me who has more debt than they can pay off in 12 lifetimes? Answer: they can't relate. Life has been kind to them. It must be nice. For instance, I have one friend who has his own business, makes killer money, works a few hours a week, owns a house free and clear, owns 2 cars free and clear, has done nothing but save and invest, but also brought home the income to do that with when he did have a regular job. Has never owned a credit card. Yet, he thinks he "knows about debt and bankruptcy". Get real. Glad life has been roses for him, but it hasn't for me. And I claim responsibility for my screw ups. I was bad with money. But, it's too late to turn back now.

Second, the "don't do it" crowd says that bankruptcy is a nightmare. Newsflash to them-I have been in a nightmare for years anyway! So what, I'm trading one nightmare for another. I can PROMISE that anything bankruptcy can toss at me, I have lived, seen, felt, in every shape, form, and fashion. Seriously, the only thing that hasn't happened to me regarding debt over these last several years is arrest. Been there and done that on everything else. Including beatings. Credit ruined? Another newsflash-it's ruined now anyway! What, it's going to go from like 100 to 0? Less than zero? It's so low now, they would have to invent new numbers in the number system to give it! But, despite all that, people still scream, "don't do it". Well, unless a bankruptcy could mean getting the electric chair (which even that doesn't sound so bad anymore), then I say what have I got to lose that I haven't already lost? :confused:

JMoon: You sound like me. I went thru the same thing. Unless people walk in your shoes, don't listen to them. I had people tell me don't file, but it has been the best thing I did and I can now sleep at night.

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I didn't have the people telling me not to file. I had 3 or 4 family members tell me that I should file bankruptcy because they knew how bad my debt issues were. Well, my teen daughter did get irate when I told her I was filing. It was weird feeling the need to explain myself to her!

I was the best thing I could have done. The harassing phone calls and the stacks of mail from collection agencies have ceased, and that's such a relief! My 341 meeting is tomorrow, and I'm very excited. Not nervous at all!

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yep we filed for a medical bankruptcy in 99, bought a house 9 months later. It wasnt bad at all for us. I dont get why people say its so bad, it will ruin your life and all that. It was the best thing for us. We had a preemie son 8wks early, we didnt have insurance and let me tell you, we had NO choice in the matter.