Could anyone tell me how much it cost to convert a chapter 13 to a
chapter 7? I can not keep up the payments.
TIA PAT GREENE

The conversion fee is $15. Your attorney may charge an additional
fee.

--
Brett

************************************************** ***************
* Personal Injury/Malpractice Bankruptcy *
* *
* BRETT WEISS, P.C. *
* Attorneys at Law *
* Maryland, D.C. and Federal Bars *
* lawyer@erols.com *
* http://www.erols.com/lawyer *
* *
* Small Business Estates & Estate Planning *
************************************************** ***************

The Small Print: This response is for discussion purposes only.
It isn't meant to be legal advice and you shouldn't treat it as
such. If you want legal advice, speak with a local lawyer
familiar with your state's laws who can review *all* of the facts
and the law applicable to your situation.
************************************************** ***************


"Anna Guinn" <maenknox@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:26597-3F6E2B1B-242@storefull-2178.public.lawson.webtv.net... Could anyone tell me how much it cost to convert a chapter 13
to a chapter 7? I can not keep up the payments. TIA PAT GREENE

maenknox@webtv.net (Anna Guinn) wrote in message news:<26597-3F6E2B1B-242@storefull-2178.public.lawson.webtv.net>... Could anyone tell me how much it cost to convert a chapter 13 to a chapter 7? I can not keep up the payments. TIA PAT GREENE

You don't have to answer this question if you find it TOO personal,
but as I am in a Chapter 13 myself, I would like to know what the
problems were that caused the need to convert. I have been told that
less then 30% sucessfully complete a Chapter 13, and am trying to
learn what I can do to improve my chances.

The reason why most people don't complete the plan is simple. They filed
bankruptcy in the first place because they had financial problems. These
problems often get worse, not better, as time goes on- for many people,
Chapter 13 is not a fresh start but putting off the inevitable, the
realization that they can't meet a firm, monthly obligation for whatever
reason.

There is no secret to "improve your chances" to complete a Chapter 13 plan.
Make sure the plan is realistic in the first place, and commit to sticking
with it. That's all.



--



*****

Rob Stumpf, Esq.

Stumpf and Ginter, Attorneys at Law
Practicing Bankruptcy in NY and NJ

visit us at www.online-law-firm.com
or email rob@online-law-firm.com


Disclaimer: No email or newsgroup communication is to be construed to
establish any sort of an attorney-client relationship, is not legal advice,
and is not a replacement for the advice of a competent attorney in your
jurisdiction.
"Eu. Harry Andruschak" <adoptsoldcats@aol.com> wrote in message
news:319bbe32.0309220325.7c6bebbc@posting.google.c om... maenknox@webtv.net (Anna Guinn) wrote in message
news:<26597-3F6E2B1B-242@storefull-2178.public.lawson.webtv.net>... Could anyone tell me how much it cost to convert a chapter 13 to a chapter 7? I can not keep up the payments. TIA PAT GREENE You don't have to answer this question if you find it TOO personal, but as I am in a Chapter 13 myself, I would like to know what the problems were that caused the need to convert. I have been told that less then 30% sucessfully complete a Chapter 13, and am trying to learn what I can do to improve my chances.

thank you for your answers. my payment was ok but too many extras arose.
home insurance went up, also power and taxes.You have to pay cash for
everything & if one or more surprise expense comes up you are in big
trouble.
pat greene

You are so right. I can easily see why so many cannot complete the
plan. We see now that our altruistic reasons and wanting to keep a
house with horrendous mortgages and in need of major repairs was the
worst thing we could have done. Should have listened to the first two
lawyers we called who asked why in *** did we want to do a Chapter 13
when we had so few assets and a ton of debt.

One lives in fear that something major will happen and, not having
access to credit, can really devastate whatever is left. You become a
financial prisoner. Plus, it's years of stress and no ability to save
anything for your future.

Psychologists tell us we all need a vacation from time to time for our
mental health, but under Chapter 13 one can't even do that! Which is
what scares me with this new BK law. By forcing most people into one,
it will do nothing but create people living barely above the poverty
line. Good people who found themselves in circumstances that spiraled
out of control due to medical reasons, job loss etc. will be treated
worse then a lot of criminals. Meanwhile those sitting in Congress
continue to enjoy the high salaries, perks and comfy living while
passing judgment on those upon whom life has treated unkindly. Sorry,
but it really upsets me.

maenknox@webtv.net (Anna Guinn) wrote in message news:<26560-3F6F6EEE-543@storefull-2172.public.lawson.webtv.net>... thank you for your answers. my payment was ok but too many extras arose. home insurance went up, also power and taxes.You have to pay cash for everything & if one or more surprise expense comes up you are in big trouble. pat greene

thank you for your response. I think we have a right to be angry. The
trustee in my case was very rude to everyone in the courtroom. she
announced that she was in a bad mood and was demeaning to all of us. I
wonder what happens if you don't show up for your dismissal hearing? you
feel about two feet tall and that you are so stupid. I know it is my
fault but it is a mistake. no one should have to be treated like a dim
wit because they have bills they can not pay. thanks to this group, I
have a place to ask questions.

"Robert Stumpf" <rob@online-law-firm.com> wrote in message news:<bknda9$3lnr4$1@ID-200874.news.uni-berlin.de>... The reason why most people don't complete the plan is simple. They filed bankruptcy in the first place because they had financial problems. These problems often get worse, not better, as time goes on- for many people, Chapter 13 is not a fresh start but putting off the inevitable, the realization that they can't meet a firm, monthly obligation for whatever reason. There is no secret to "improve your chances" to complete a Chapter 13 plan. Make sure the plan is realistic in the first place, and commit to sticking with it. That's all. -- ***** Rob Stumpf, Esq. Stumpf and Ginter, Attorneys at Law Practicing Bankruptcy in NY and NJ visit us at www.online-law-firm.com or email rob@online-law-firm.com Disclaimer: No email or newsgroup communication is to be construed to establish any sort of an attorney-client relationship, is not legal advice, and is not a replacement for the advice of a competent attorney in your jurisdiction.

Um, nothing personal, but don't the lawyers try to explain to the
debtors that they haven't the proverbial snowflake in a blast furnace
chance of finishing Chapter 13 under those conditions? If not, isn't
the Judge suppose to determine feasability?

My own lawyer explained that many failed Chapter 13 by not changing
the spending habits that got them into debt in the first case. This
does not apply to me, the debt was run up from other factors not
likely to be repeated.

Same here. Change what spending habits? Buying food and medicine?
Most people start a Chap. 13 because they feel it's the right thing to
try and pay back something to their creditors. Lawyers should present
them with a "what if" scenario--what if a large home repair arisea, or
your teeth decide to go ballistic (as in my case), your
taxes/insurance is hiked, a bad winter sent your heating bills through
the roof (remember last winter?). Factors not under our control can
arise very easily and your hands are tied. Of course, trying to save
anything is out of the question.

So where are the bad spending habits? Our last vacation was an
overnight bus trip back in 1995. Our TV is over 10 years old. We
bought our furniture used from the want ads. Our cars are 1991 and
1993 respectively. I think you get the idea.


adoptsoldcats@aol.com (Eu. Harry Andruschak) wrote in message news:<319bbe32.0309241700.1c618221@posting.google.com>... "Robert Stumpf" <rob@online-law-firm.com> wrote in message news:<bknda9$3lnr4$1@ID-200874.news.uni-berlin.de>... The reason why most people don't complete the plan is simple. They filed bankruptcy in the first place because they had financial problems. These problems often get worse, not better, as time goes on- for many people, Chapter 13 is not a fresh start but putting off the inevitable, the realization that they can't meet a firm, monthly obligation for whatever reason. There is no secret to "improve your chances" to complete a Chapter 13 plan. Make sure the plan is realistic in the first place, and commit to sticking with it. That's all. -- ***** Rob Stumpf, Esq. Stumpf and Ginter, Attorneys at Law Practicing Bankruptcy in NY and NJ visit us at www.online-law-firm.com or email rob@online-law-firm.com Disclaimer: No email or newsgroup communication is to be construed to establish any sort of an attorney-client relationship, is not legal advice, and is not a replacement for the advice of a competent attorney in your jurisdiction. Um, nothing personal, but don't the lawyers try to explain to the debtors that they haven't the proverbial snowflake in a blast furnace chance of finishing Chapter 13 under those conditions? If not, isn't the Judge suppose to determine feasability? My own lawyer explained that many failed Chapter 13 by not changing the spending habits that got them into debt in the first case. This does not apply to me, the debt was run up from other factors not likely to be repeated.

"Eu. Harry Andruschak" <adoptsoldcats@aol.com> wrote in message
news:319bbe32.0309241700.1c618221@posting.google.c om... "Robert Stumpf" <rob@online-law-firm.com> wrote in message
news:<bknda9$3lnr4$1@ID-200874.news.uni-berlin.de>... The reason why most people don't complete the plan is simple. They
filed bankruptcy in the first place because they had financial problems.
These problems often get worse, not better, as time goes on- for many people, Chapter 13 is not a fresh start but putting off the inevitable, the realization that they can't meet a firm, monthly obligation for whatever reason. There is no secret to "improve your chances" to complete a Chapter 13
plan. Make sure the plan is realistic in the first place, and commit to
sticking with it. That's all.

Um, nothing personal, but don't the lawyers try to explain to the debtors that they haven't the proverbial snowflake in a blast furnace chance of finishing Chapter 13 under those conditions?



If you are implying they have no chance at all (as far as I know, snowflakes
never fail to melt in a furnace) that isn't true. Many (but by no means
all) Chapter 13 plans fail, for a variety of reasons. My only point was
that there is no "secret" to making one work. A responsible debtor who is
able and committed to do so will be successful.



*****

Rob Stumpf, Esq.

Stumpf and Ginter, Attorneys at Law
Practicing Bankruptcy in NY and NJ

visit us at www.online-law-firm.com
or email rob@online-law-firm.com


Disclaimer: No email or newsgroup communication is to be construed to
establish any sort of an attorney-client relationship, is not legal advice,
and is not a replacement for the advice of a competent attorney in your
jurisdiction.