Is bankruptcy an option for me?
Hi - I'm new to this so bear with me. I just wrote a big long post but it didn't go through so this is the short & sweet version....
Reside in Florida
Married for just over 1 year.
My husband has owned this house since before we were married, the mortgage is in his name, but he put the title in both our names.
Bills:
Medical, approx $6,000. (4,000 from before and 2,000 after our marriage.) These are going into collections now.
Credit cards: approx $6,000 on 2 cards, both from before marriage. These have been in collections over 2 years.
Student Loan: In good standing, from before marriage. I've been paying this for 2 years. I just had it reduced to $175/month from over 200/month. I can't afford more than 175.
Assets:
The house (I think) and 1 car, a 2000 Hyundai w/ 95,000 miles in poor shape.
Income:
$1300 monthly
Expenses
$1250 monthly. Cable/phone/electric/car insurance/gasoline/food/student loan/daycare.
I had gone to school to be a teacher, worked for a year, and then my contract was not renewed. I've been trying to get rehired by the district but no luck - if I was a teacher I could afford to pay a payment plan, as I'd make nearly twice what I make now. Now, I am working for the housing authority and hate it but do it to pay the few bills I can.
I can't get my husband to pay more than the house for 2 reasons: First, he's stretched to the hilt paying it all since I can't, and Second, he says these bills are my bills not his and he won't pay them. Our marriage is ready to end as it is... so I can't rely on him.
Here's my questions:
Can bankruptcy help me? Can I do any other options? I'm really scared and I want to pay what I owe, but can't. I don't know what to do. Can someone offer some help? Thank you!
Chris
Re: Is bankruptcy an option for me?
Q: Can bankruptcy help me?
A: Maybe. Go talk a bankruptcy lawyer.
Re: Is bankruptcy an option for me?
Your student loans are probably not dischargeable. It sounds like you have $6,000 in medical debt and $6,000 in credit card debt, or $12,000 in potentially dischargeable debt. If you declare bankruptcy you will have to go through credit counseling, and may end up having to go through a Chapter 13 repayment program. You're better bet is probably to refinance the debt, perhaps with the assistance of your husband, so you have a smaller monthly payment and better interest rate.