is it better to file for bankruptcy before or after filing for divorce in PA?
344334
It depends on what your situation is. The best time to file either is never, obviously - but if you have to file, then :\n\nIf your objective is to get as much as you can from your spouse, file bankrupcy first, then divorce. The assets remaining after the bankrupcy will be split evenly.\n\nIf your objective is to screw your spouse over, because they'll be getting something from you, then file after filing divorce. Any decree granted would be adjusted after the bankrupcy.\n\nIf the objective is something different, in general bankrupcy first, then divorce - it's the least painful route for both, and least likely to screw anyone over, I believe.
691898
One (or both) of them may be leaving the door open for a future reconciliation. The person doing this may not even know that this is the case. When I left my first husband, he said he wasn't going to file since I left him, I was the one with the problem, and there were financial issues as well. This went on for several years. At one stage, I did go back to him, and he dumped his girlfriend like garbage. I am not proud of this, she was a nice girl, but I think I did her a favor since he went on to drugs & crime. After going back & finding out for sure he was wrong for me, I did file for divorce.\n\nThis is NOT to say that this is the case with you. But it could be possible. Maybe she thinks in the back of her mind that he will come back. Financial complications are easily resolved by lawyers, ask him to see one. A married man is a married man, whether he lives with her or not. Neither the law nor time is on your side. Good luck.
116823
TurboTax worked great for me.  With a business and my wife having a seperate job I blew right through it.  It covers pretty much everything.  But, I guess it may depend on how good you are at keeping your records.  For you it's going to be best to file married but filing seperately anyway.
629269
Dear Friend,\n\nIt's time to consider filing for bankruptcy.  Your ex is broke, and there's no way the state can be held liable.  Sorry, that's the bottom line.\n\nYour Friend,\nFrancesois
1000911
I work for the bankruptcy court. You 'screwed' up in terms of filing. You should've filed 6 months ago before the law changed. If you try to file now, you will not necessarily be dismissed of your debts. Why not get rid of one or both cars? do you need 2 cars. Sell one. And use that $$ to pare down your debt. Also, consolidate your credit into onw low interest loan/credit. Remember if you file now, it is going to cost you a lot of $$$$ with no guarantees. Bankruptcy will really screw your credit report. Good luck. This may not be ideal--but I re-financed my a$$ off to pay off me debt. I sold a Benz that I didn't need. We're all weak...
42247
yes you can.  try to wait if you can still work it out together. go marriage counseling.  if u will continue to file the divorce, u might regret someday when your marriage is getting better.
947437
Just my opinion....but I've seen this from a lot of differant angles.\n\nI have seen a lot of very smart paralegals...and a lot of very dumb lawyers.  Just because they are a lawyer does not make them extremely smart or immune from screwing up a case.\n\nIn many law offices, the paralegal does a lot of the actual work, and is "probably" capible of doing a bankruptcy case.\n\nBut you need to keep one very important point in mind.  Under the new bankruptcy laws, if you make one mistake...missfile one form...goof up one procedure...then your bankruptcy case will be dismissed.  If that happens you can not file again for one year.  In that time, you can bet your creditors will do everything they can to get their case to court and get their money within that time!  Especially now that they know you are filing for bankruptcy.\n\nSo with that said...if you have a very simple bankruptcy you could probably get away with a paralegal.  But anything else, I would highly recommend a qualified lawyer.
864992
That is definately a question for a bankruptcy attorney. I don't believe they can take your 401K; however, if you have a 401K do you really think that bankruptcy is your only choice??? Have you thought about a debt payment plan like Consumer Credit Counseling??? There are so many reasons not to file bankruptcy that you should consider... finding a new job? buying a home or refinancing? insurance rate increases??? The only reason to file bankruptcy is when you simply cannot repay your debts, not that you don't want to. The laws have changed drastically. You may not even qualify for bankruptcy. The long term effects from bankruptcy will haunt you for a long, long time.
666624
Yes, it is necessary. Now that are married you are responsible for each others bills. If something horrible were to happen like an accident and he couldn't work or gosh forbid he should pass, you are looking at a lot of creditors wanting what your husband owes them to be paid. Also, you might be able to consolidate and save, for example, car insurance. There is usually a discount to have you both on one plan versus two seperate policies.
445517
Once the bankruptcy is final, you can get all sorts of loans ( but at very high interest rates)\n\nBut honestly, if they are already filing bankruptcy that means they have lived and spent beyond thier incomes.  Why should they want to start out with new debts already.\nIt is a trap.  they should get all of their money in line first and work out and live on a budge before going back into debt.
61060
It depends on where you live.  Most states have pre-printed forms for most of the divorce process.  You should also look for free or low-cost legal assistance in your area if you can't afford an attorney.
429542
You know after two divorces, I seem to think that the guys feel that it is the women's duty to file.  Both of them told me to file so as not to embarrass me but to actually put the blame on them.  When a man files it looks as though he wants out or the women is to blame and then he would feel worse and of course he won't want to have to feel that would he!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
468633
DEPENDS ON YOUR DIVORCE DECREE. MAKE SURE YOU READ IT THROUGHLY.
881806
I filed for bankruptcy 4 years ago. I made payments to my lawyer. I couldn't really afford one payment. Some of them will offer a payment plan.check into it
344728
I helped my girlfriend file a year ago and it was relativly simple.  I've since learned that the laws were changed (and few people know because Iraq/Elections/Missing Persons were the only national headlines.  It' supposed to be exceedingly difficult now, especially if you have any assets that most people would consider protected. \n\nI'll see if I can find some more.\n\n\nMore: "WASHINGTON - The most sweeping rewrite of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in a quarter- century, making it harder for debtors to erase credit card and other obligations in court proceedings, goes into effect Oct. 17.\n\nAmong the changes made by the new law:\n\n* It sets up a new test for measuring a debtor's ability to repay. People with insufficient assets or income can still file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which if approved by a judge erases debts entirely after certain assets are forfeited. But those with income above their state's median income who can pay at least $6,000 over five years - $100 a month - will be forced into Chapter 13, under which a judge orders a repayment plan.\n\nIn calculating income, people filing for bankruptcy may deduct various expenses as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, including food and clothing, and some health and disability insurance expenses.\n\n* People seeking bankruptcy protection are required to take credit counseling courses within 180 days of filing.\n\n* It gives priority to a spouse's claims for child support among creditors' claims on a debtor in bankruptcy.\n\n* The law allows for special accommodations for active-duty service members, low-income veterans and those with serious medical conditions in the new income test for bankruptcy applicants.\n\n* The law supersedes the unlimited homestead exemptions in states including Florida, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas that allow wealthy people to file for bankruptcy and keep their mansions sheltered from creditors. The law limits the exemption to $125,000 if the person in bankruptcy bought his or her residence less than three years and four months before filing.\n\n* It also requires billing statements for credit card accounts to include an example of how long it would take to pay off a balance at a specific interest rate if only minimum payments are made.\n\nThe law also makes it tougher for businesses that file for bankruptcy protection:\n\n* The law limits the exclusivity period, the 18-month span during which a company in Chapter 11 has the sole right to propose a reorganization plan. Debtor companies are no longer given unlimited extensions of the exclusivity period.\n\n* It limits the ability of companies to give lucrative pay packages as a way of retaining top executives.\n\n* Companies must decide within 210 days, or seven months whether they will keep or relinquish leases on property.\n\n* Creditors can seek to have a Chapter 7 liquidation filing dismissed or converted to a debt reorganization plan under Chapter 11. "\n\n\nBest of Luck,\n\nArmus
82975
It would not be advisable to file for divorce yourself.  If there are no children or assets to battle over, you can hire an attorney to file the petition in family court for you at very little cost.  In Texas, divorces can be contested, but in most cases, are not denied.  The complications begin when there are assets to dive and custody issues.  If these issues exist, and your spouse is agreeable, you can contact an attorney to draft a decree and file it in family court.  Your spouse can sign a waiver of appearence and your divorce can be finalizad in 45-60 days.\n\nGood luck to you and sorry to hear things aren't working.\n\nTake care.
161536
If you filed bankruptcy in October, 10/12 of your tax return is part of your bankruptcy estate.  See if you listed it in schedule B and if possible, claim an exemptio for it in Schedule C.  Then tell the IRS to send it to you.