Well. now I am being sued by a creditor. So much for working out payments.

And I just got formal notice of foreclosure unless I can get even by early July. So much for negotiating an extended time to pay, temporary payment hiatus, or lower payment or interest rate.

Okay, that's their move. Now I have to consider mine.

I guess I shoud talk to a bankruptcy lawyer to see what options are available, and what happens if I just let everything go without any legal response.

I'm shaking off the negatives, but it is getting harder to do and I'm having to do it more often. Maybe I'll go see a counselor, too, for some ideas about how to handle, or let go, the stress, worry, anger, shame, etc.

It is just business, I guess.

Thanks for your encouraging words.

Worst thing to do is nothing. See someone that can give you ideas on your options, and call up a friend to talk.

To give yourself a little breathing room, you can self-initiate a bankruptcy filing, preferably a chapter 13. This provides an automatic stay against all legal actions by creditors until a bankruptcy hearing has occurred. I think you then have up to 90 days to come up with a solution, or develop the chapter 13 to fruition. Even if you don't get a suitable filing developed and it gets rejected, you can refile and get another 90 day stay. Twice around the block is all I'd recommend, but you should be able to figure something out with an additional 6 months to work with.

It is a tough pill to swallow, and bankruptcies are not so easy to obtain these days as they were a decade ago. Even though you are broke, you should still seek professional legal advice.

Finding courage

My situation is challenging my ability to summon courage, especially for the repetitive small tasks like opening letters from creditors I cannot pay, calling tax authorities I cannot pay, etc..

I feel like I am being slowly ground down. Surely this cannot be an unusual human challenge in survival situations.

What are some of the practices known to be helpful when the very real wolf is at the door, over and over again?

Thanks.

I've represented people suing others for collection and all kinds of matters. Most lawyers and clients who are looking to recover money don't ever think they are going to recover 100%, especially when you are dealing with businesses seeking to collect bills.

Filing suit is one of the things they can do. If you are considering bankruptcy, tehn telling the creditors that is one thing that may lead them to accept a lower amount.

Don't forget how to tell if a collector is lying: If his mouth is moving, he's lying. Get it in writing!

And don't ever give them electronic access to you bank account - They've been known to tell you they are going to withdraw the agreed amount and then "accidentally" clean you out. Naturally, it takes a few weeks/months/year to correct these types of mistakes.

Many garage sales in my short term future. Told the cat he is probably going to be adopted. Shrink says situational depression is pretty normal and will be temporary. Focusing like heck on the endless possibilities opened up by starting over.

I don't believe that is a good idea. I would rather pick fruit with people who don't speak English than work for a collection agency.

Jeanette Isabelle

I think you can ship the cat to Blast. I;m sure he wouldn't mind taking care of it until you are back on your feet.

Even though I am not a cat fan, having a pet around may help you a little bit. If you can afford the food and hygiene requirements maybe you can keep the critter. I hope you can.

dweste,
I wish i was in my new place right now because I would be willing to foster your cat until you can get back on your feet again..
then again your shrink might be willing to write you a prescription for the cat as a "companion animal". So if you do move somewhere that doesn't allow animals they will *have* to allow it due to ADA regs.