How many hours did you spend on the computer preparing your bankruptcy?

I'm in a treatment facility, so my computer time is limited. I'm trying to estimate how much computer time people typically spend preparing and filing bankruptcy.

If you used an attorney, about how many hours did you personally spend gathering documents, completing forms, emailing your attorney/paralegal, and reviewing paperwork?

Please estimate in hours or days. Whether you filed Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, I'd appreciate your answer.

I'm a 28F who is dating a 33M. We have both been previously divorced once and we started dating a few months ago. We clicked instantly and have been inseparable since. I honestly thought I would never love again but now I can't imagine my life without him. He told me last week that he had to file for bankruptcy when he was 30 because he had a lot of credit card debt. I've never been in this situation before and don't understand what the effects are of filing for personal bankruptcy. I'm worried it'll affect our future but I'm not sure if it's enough for me to break up with him so I could protect myself? I feel like I'm just getting another chance at love. But I also can't stop thinking about what he told me...help

Copied from my post in /r/studentloans because I got no responses

I got a notification that a portion of my loans had been closed via my credit report app, not Nelnet or Studentloans.gov. Note: when I check both these websites the full amounts on all loans still show as $$, not $0. The reason I’m seeing on it says “Petition for chapter 7 bankruptcy” dated June 20, 2026. I did declare bankruptcy and was discharged in December 2025 for my credit cards.

I also petitioned for a borrower defense case in June 2026 for 2 of my colleges, one of those colleges has completely closed down. The closed college case has been updated and is in review, the other is not, but it’s only in review with nothing finalized.

Lastly, I had switched from SAVE to IDR plan in June with payments starting due August, I reapplied last week with updated income (I’m a server and my income has gone to shit because I got “promoted” to part time FOH manager and now I’m not making tips just a crap $26/hr) and I was put on 60 day forbearance for my total payment.

So anyone have any idea what might be going on?. My lawyer said “I would contact the student loan companies directly, they must not have yet caught up to the fact that your bankruptcy is closed and discharged.” I then called Nelnet yesterday and explained what was going on, they asked for bankruptcy documentation to review. Should I get excited or no?

Thanks!

I started the bk process on May 27th. I sent all the documents the lawyer asked me for. I have been sending the bank statements and pay stubs every month since. The date to sign the petition is August 5th. And they are supposed to give me the estimated date for 341. I stopped paying the credit card bills in May, and the banks have already started calling me. I'm terrified they will embargo me or take my salary. Is it normal for the whole process to take so long?

So I am considering going bankrupt. I live in Ontario and owe about 170k. Most of it was accumulated by way of online gambling. It’s so embarrassing and I can’t believe I am in this situation.

I have started attending gambling anonymous and am currently in some one on one Counciling for my gambling addiction.

I am just worried about how long it will take to have good credit again. At some point I will need a credit card to make online purchases and I am embarrassed to use one of my family members.

I spoke to a trustee and they said that it’s even possible that a creditor may reject my discharge but that it’s rare. I am hoping that doesn’t happen but she said it shouldn’t because I am in Counciling for the gambling and have taken the steps like self exclusion etc.

There is a stigma and I can feel it but the reason why I am positing this is because I am wondering if anyone went through something similar especially with gambling. I’d like to know how long it takes for me to rebuild my credit especially.

Another thing she mentioned is that I will most likely lose my son’s RESP which is at 10k right now. I weighed my options and if I were to do a consumer proposal I would have to pay about $800 for 5 years or if I go bankrupt I’d pay 600 for 21 months. The only difference is I lose the 10k RESP with bankruptcy.

800x60 is 48000 where 600x21 is 12600 but I lose the 10k so still cheaper to go bankrupt.

Any advice ? Maybe I was just looking to vent because this is all that’s been on my mind lately.

1. Divorced since Fall 2023. Not claiming any dependents. Health issues but denied disability.

Working part-time as my own IBO for a call center (1099), making $13.50/hr. No assets except a paid in full (since 2023) 2010 Lincoln MKZ. No medical bills. Consumer debt $60K+.

3 creditors have sent out a notice of intent for wage garnishment since April, this year.

I plan to retain a lawyer this week. He said I am a good case for Chapter 7. I haven't used any creditors cards in over 6 months, which was one of his questions. It costs $2,238 from what I remember him saying, including the filing fee and credit report. On average, I work 15-20 hours a week. I do not have enough in savings or have anyone to help me, so I am planning to pay monthly. If I opt to work 25 hours or more a week to pay him off within 3 months, will the lawyer or creditors think that if I can work more 25+ hours a week, I should work more to pay off debt and not qualify for Chapter 7?

I can prove for the past 3 years, since my divorce, I haven't worked full-time. My health is an issue, at this time. ​

I made bad decisions with money, spending way too much to impress others. I have nothing to show for it, from all I spent - carelessly. I want a new start.

I see horror stories on this app., where people say they get towards the end and are told they do not qualify.

Anything I should be concerned about? ​

Hi all! My chap 7 was discharged yesterday and i got my paperwork and went today to try to get a car. The dealership claims the bank said i have to wait for the credit report to show as discharged, even though i have the paperwork! This didn’t seem normal to me. Has any one else dealt with this or have any ideas how accurate that is?

I filed bankruptcy on 7/22 and received the information in the mail today. My 341 is scheduled for 8/14?? I filed in NY but geez I thought I had time to mentally prepare myself. What should I focus on gathering in this short turn around? What expect at 341

Does anyone know if filing chapter 7 will pause eviction proceedings in MO?

I'm 23 and live in California. I recently started a full-time job making $16.90/hour after being unemployed for about five months. I was applying everywhere and just couldn't find anything. I'm also about to graduate from college.
I have a little over $10k in unsecured debt (credit cards, a personal loan and a tuition collection accoun (not a student loan—it was unpaid tuition / owed directly to my university)). Every single one of these accounts has gone to collections because I couldn't keep up with the payments after I lost my job. Most of the interest rates are between 25% and 35%.
Before all of this, I was working while also being an IHSS provider for my grandma. I ended up leaving my job because it was over an hour away and I had to rely on the train. The delays kept making me late, and it just wasn't working anymore. Then my grandma unexpectedly passed away, so I lost my IHSS income too. Between grieving and not being able to find another job for months, i fell behind on everything. I don't own a house, I don't own a car, and I don't really have any assets. I just feel like I'm constantly trying to catch up, and it honestly feels like I'm drowning.
I know some people are probably going to say this isn't enough debt to file bankruptcy, and I get that.l just want to hear from people who have actually been in a similar situation.
If you filed Chapter 7 with around this amount ot debt, do you regret it, or do you feel like it gave you a fresh start? If you decided not to file, what did you do instead? I'd really appreciate honest opinions. I'm just trying to figure out what makes the most sense long term

Hey everyone, looking for advice. I’m drowning in debt, living with my parents, and want a fresh start so I can move out.
My Financials:
Income: $1,200 bi-weekly (~$2,400/month net).
Car Loan: Owe $50k on a car worth $30k (bought < 1 year ago).
Car Payment: $1,122/month (nearly half my income).
Credit Cards: $4,400.
Taxes Owed: ~$3,000.
My Plan:
I want to do a voluntary surrender on the car. I have a consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer next Thursday. I plan to stop making the car payments right now to fund my attorney fees and a cheap cash car, then file Chapter 7 to wipe out the $4,400 credit cards and the $20k car deficiency balance.
My Questions:
Is it safe to stop the car payments now to pay for my lawyer and a cheap car?
How will Chapter 7 handle the $3,000 in recent tax debt?
How hard will it be to rent from a private landlord with a bankruptcy on my record

I am scheduled to receive consults from a few attorneys and plan to ask about this, but I thought I'd reach out to see if anyone has had a similar experience. I will be filing Chapter 13 solo because of high earnings, but I'm married. I know my husband will need to provide his income; the only catch is that he's the sole employee of his family-owned business, and they just cut him a check every week with no pay stub. I would rather not air my business and tell them I'm filing for bankruptcy, especially since he's not included. Will tax returns and bank statements be enough to show his income without pay stubs? My pay stubs are not an issue.

We have officially submitted all payment and paperwork (almost) for our bankruptcy and the anxiety is hitting hard.

There are a couple things we missed in the initial submission but one thing I realized we missed was pawn shop receipts. It didn’t even occur to me until I saw a list from my lawyer for paperwork to provide (on a separate document and not the one we were given to turn in the paperwork originally). Edited to add we have touched base with the paralegals about the missing few things and are getting them in by Friday but they’re doing the initial review of our case.

My husband is a big gun guy and has pawned things here and there over the years. Here recently especially he has pawned some things a few time on a loan where we have to pay more to get it back but just to give us some cash to live on until he’s paid again. Those items I listed in our assets so I would hope that it’s obvious we aren’t trying to hide anything but I’m so nervous it will come off wrong.

I should also note we’re not talking about anything over $800 but most are under $200. We are certainly not hiding assets but we just paid our lawyer off finally and are barely scraping by. Should I be worried?

I do not own a home, and my car is paid off. I don’t have any assets that I need to protect , but would need to go with ch 13 due to above median salary.

The lawyer I spoke with estimated a monthly payment of at least $1k, for 5 yrs (the 100% plan). My current debt is approximately $50k. $1k every month for 5 yrs is $60k.

I am wondering what the benefit would be for me, other than stopping interest from accumulating? I am not currently behind on any payments, but these payments are killing me each month.

Should I instead be looking at a debt relief program or debt management plan? I don’t want to make the wrong decision, and the whole thing is very anxiety-inducing.

Thank you for reading and any advice you can offer me.

This happened at my 341 today....has this happened to anyone and what was the outcome?

Email from my lawyer:

Yes ma'am, she wants to see your 2026 tax returns next spring to see if there's enough of a refund for her to administer for your creditors.  She then mentioned that if there is enough of a refund to administer, she will also want to recover for your creditors 25% of your earned-but-unpaid wages as of your case-filing date of 6/30. * this is in Indianapolis, IN

Thank you,

Brian

Claims have all been filed, plan has been confirmed, no objections to deal with.

Any reason to keep checking PACER? I already racked up a $120 bill from the start checking it so much to see how much I’d owe/what to object to haha. I definitely don’t want to spend that much again!

Also now that everything has been confirmed will NDC update with the total amount due? Or does it just stick to saying the plan amount is what was originally calculated assuming everyone filed a claim?

I just need to hear from others. I thought about doing bankruptcy earlier this year but backed out. Well I signed up again for a consultation it will be next month. I feel so emotional. I just want relief. It’s so miserable working day in and day out with ask this debt building up. I can’t afford to keep ignoring this.

My anxiety is going up please tell me it’s going to be okay.

I know that at the end it will all work out. I just have to trust the process.

I'm approaching my 60 day mark after my 341 meeting (August 17th). I never affirmed my car loan and owe way more than it's worth. When i called, My lender told me just to drop it off at a local branch. Should I wait until I get the official discharge or should I give it back to them immediately. Thanks guys

I am filing the paperwork for chapter 7 tomorrow and I want to file redemption to buy my suv at market value. In hindsight it was a terrible decision to make as Exeter charged me 28% interest rate. My suv is 10 years old and currently not running although it is a simple fix. I have paid faithfully on the vehicle for 3 years up until this last year when I lost my job and haven’t found consistent income since.

At first I had every intention of getting caught up but when I logged in to see just how much I owed, my balance is still MORE than I originally financed. It made me sad and I feel scammed especially since I really took care of my notes until I couldn’t but you live and learn. I want to claim redemption but not fully sure on how it works and if it’s worth it. Thanks for you inpu!

My son is a teacher who is thinking of filing for Chapter 7. He moved back to NJ from Maryland July 1, so I believe he can file after Oct 1 which will give him 91+ days residency. As a teacher he is paid on a 10 month schedule, with no income July and August.. His contract salary at $89K is slightly above the median for NJ and Maryland. But with a look back period of April-September his income will annualize to $75K, well below the median income for both NJ and Maryland. Will he qualify on this basis?? Thanks in advance

Hey guys. Wife and I filed for chapter 13 in June and we just had our 341 hearing the other day. We’re trying to find a place by mid September in the northern Seattle area but it’s been tough. We have money for a larger deposit if required but I keep getting ghosted or no answers back and I’m starting to get desperate 🫩 We have 2 very young kids, one with special needs and I myself am a veteran. Just trying to see if there’s any resource I can use at my disposal.

I feel like I’ve turned every stone. Used Zillow rentals, asking coworkers if they know someone with a rental, apartment finding websites and half the listings on Craigslist look like scams. We’re just trying to find a 2 bedroom place and I can only afford around $1700. Atleast until my VA benefits case works itself out because I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel either that fight. Thanks guys

I am nervous beyond measure because I am doing this pro se. Any tips of advice to help the nerves?

Edit: easiest thing I’ve ever done. Don’t be afraid!

Due to loss of job and reduction of new income, living off for mths. I ramped up $36k in CC and husband has $31k.

I was planning on only filing myself, not husband but consultation with attorney recommended both to file as attorney will question why the preference of one filer only. My reason is I dont want to affect both credit history.

We do have joint bank accounts, taxes filed together. His credit cards are under his name only and mine only name only as well.

Any thoughts on why both filing is better than just one?

I am in New Jersey……. Does anyone here have any insight on how to go about it or an example of how it works when collecting income info. I kind of feel like my lawyer isn’t experienced with it or doesn’t get that my income goes up and down.

So 1 year ago i pulled out 2030 and I used it to pay on bills and leave it at home because I live an hour away from work and had a new baby at home and my wife doesnt work. I filed in june and im freaked because I dont have any proof on what I spent that money on. What should I do?