I did the numbers I needed to figure out my income for the past 6 months for the bankruptcy lawyer. I had done calculations during the summer for an average and it was about $5k, which put me under the $65k max to be able to file ch 7.
When I met with the lawyer after signing the divorce papers and feeling like I had no choice but to do the bankruptcy due to the emotional duress I was feeling, I told him I THOUGHT I was making only $5k per month.
Well I forgot that during the past 3 months I did make a bit more because of a couple projects I got. So I called him and said that it looks like I didn't qualify.
He seemed very agitated and angry that I told him I thought I was making about $5k but after checking I am showing improvement in income.
He asked if I had business deductions and when I said I really don't he got angry at me for 'not working with him' and that HE could come up with the required amounts.
This raised a red flag for me. I felt that we might be pushing it too close, that I might be making more money in the next few months and in the end be denied the bankruptcy so I said I want to put this off and get a refund.
The fee was a flat rate, and he says he's put hours of work in and had to charge me for the time. I can understand that but his rate is $350/hour for his regular representation. I am hoping he doesn't charge me that and take half my money for doing work a legal aid person could do.
The real lesson here is that I haven't trusted myself and my intuition when I should. I did NOT feel good writing him a check the other day for a lot of reasons but felt I 'had no choice'. That I was defeated.
So wrong.
I am capable of so many things, and I WILL believe in myself. I will pray that this lawyer will listen to his conscience and realize that he isn't justified to charge me more than a few hundred dollars.
Otherwise this will be an expensive lesson. Regardless of the financial issues, I know I can trust myself and this feels so wrong.
