My question involves bankruptcy in the state of: California
Hi, I haven't used this site for a while, but I'm in the process of filing chapter 7. BTW, I am using the current "Nolo Press: How to File Chapter 7" book and I'm planning on doing it "Pro Se" or without an attorney since I think my case involves just simple unsecured debt from credit cards. Anyways, let me get down to it with my questions:
Background
I have 5 credit cards total with ~ $38k balance, which is about 90-95% of max limits (total of all cards). All are for purchases - no cash advances, BTW. I have also been on time with all payments and have never been late. Since it may take a year or more after filing to get approved for an unsecured card, I would like to keep one of the cards which has a purchase balance of only $500, for which I currently owe about $225. The reason I want to keep the small card is for making hotel/motel/airline car rental .... even "Rug Doctor at Home Depot" reservations, which can all be hard to do without a (unsecured?) credit card. I don't plan on being rich after filing it's just that I'm trying to avoid this inconvenience if possible.
Note: I have another card with the same creditor (Chase) with a balance of about $12k that DO want discharged.
Q's
Can I pay the $225 to give it a $0 balance and not list it on schedule F (the list of creditors)?
What would happen if I paid it, and then filed my chap 7 within 60 days after?
Is the $500 balance or the $225 payment considered immaterial?
Does this look I am giving "preference" to creditors in the eyes of the court, or will this matter?
Also, assume I can do this, what would the creditor likely do? (e.g. - discharge the card anyway, or let me keep it but change the terms to high % rate? (e.g. - their default rate)

