Using multiple credit cards before filing Chapter 7

I don't know that the attorney should be telling you to do that - sounds unethical to me! I mean, you're filing Chapter 7 BK to eliminate debts - and he's telling you to rack more debt up prior to filing.

My attorney told me that ANY cc debt accrued within 90 days of the filing would be non-dischargeable. I wouldn't think this would be different in other states, unless your attorney knows some loophole in the law that mine didn't. But to be honest, I wouldn't take a chance.

I think this has something to do with "necessities"... vs luxury items. Seems to me I have heard this too.

I'm the thread starter... but no, I did not mean I was going to rack up more debt by starting to charge more on the credit cards. I was simply stating that, for example, I had to pay for food and gas over the last few months. I did not buy anything which was considered "luxury" in any way. Damn, I don't have a job. I'm just trying to survive.

However, just recently, I decided to "finally" file Chapter 7. I was trying everything to prevent it.. but since I'm "still" jobless, I must do so.

So... I stopped using my CCs altogether. However, the last time I used them for food/gas or whatever, was about 30 days ago... so worst case is I have to wait another 60 days before filing again (to let the previous charges "fall off" of the recent 90 days). However, I still feel this huge burden/weight on my shoulders and am a little desperate to file.

On another note, my attorney says that the creditors almost never show up for the 341 meeting unless it's worth their while.

That sounds kind of unethical to me. It's like "Hey, spend a bunch of money and then file for bankruptcy so you don't have to pay it back!" I don't even know why he suggested this to you.

That is actually very much true. I've had people take out loans and file BK before their first payment was due. I've discussed the issue with my attorney about fighting it in court and he pretty much said we'd have to prove the loan was used for luxury items.

However I have fought bankruptcies on other grounds and won. For example, one such situation where a customer took a loan and filed BK the next day, we compared his credit application to the expenses he listed in his bankruptcy petition. He told us he paid $200/month rent, he told the BK court he paid $1650/month rent. Obviously he lied to one of us, and lying to the court is punishable by prison. When we proved he lied to us, we were excluded from the BK and had to be paid back, plus we were awarded court costs and attorney fees.

What about in my checking account I have overdraft protection. These are credit lines the bank has given me. On one of these accounts in Jan. of this year I had credit line advances. I am self employed and it was really slow. So these advances were for food, gas and supplies for work when we did work and for lp to heat our house. There might be 1K in these types of advances. What about those?

When you file chapter 7, is it possible to continue to use one credit card if you continue to make payments on it? If the card is not in default, is it necessary to list the issuing bank as a creditor?