Thanks, Mr. Knowitall,
I did speak to a bk lawyer on the phone after my post. He advised me to go ahead and file that Declaration of Homestead ASAP, as the exemption is $500,000 in MA. What makes me nervous is that the homestead law clearly states that it does not cover debts incurred prior to filing homestead. Lawyer says don't sweat it, as long as the homestead is recorded even one day before filing bk, I'm fine. My biggest fear is that trustee will order division of the TBE and sale of my home.
I'm meeting with this bk atty next week to discuss further. He seems to think that I could file Ch. 7 singly, and have the judgments dismissed and the liens avoided. I agree with you that if the liens aren't avoidable, it would be pretty pointless to file.

