[berryberry61]

Pennsylvania - My mother-in-law in PA has several debt problems and I need some advice. Her husband had been in the VA hospital and veterans nursing home the past 2 1/2 years. he recently passed away 2 weeks ago

She rents - doesn't own a home nor has any savings / pension / etc. Only income is Social security

She has several thousand in credit card debt.

She also in 2006 purchased a new PT cruiser (against my / my wife's advice) with nothing down and is upside down on the loan (roughly $14K owed - car is likely worth about $11K max).

Now that her husband has passed away, she can no longer afford to pay the car payments each month, plus because she has paid the minimum on the credit card debt (again - against my advice) she still owes a lot on that she can't afford to pay

Since she ignored our advice previously (including the year when we paid for the hursing home and told her to focus on paying down her debt and sell her car and not buy a new one) - we are not in a position to help her finacially again

Advice?

How much would it cost for her to file bankruptcy?

Could I, on her behalf contact the credit card / car loan companies and explain the situation, see if interest can be waived, etc?

or should I just tell the car loan company to come and pick up the car (voluntary repo) and tell them tough luck - she has no assets or income, you should have never loaned her the money to begin with - eat the cost. If we did that, what could they do (other than harass her - and how could we prevent them from harassing her?)

Thanks

[Mr. Knowitall]

If she gives you a power of attorney, you can attempt to negotiate her debts on her behalf.

For the cost of bankruptcy, call a few bankruptcy lawyers in your mother's area and ask what their fees would be.