I think you can only do a bankrupcy once in every seven years. I'd get busy with it and with some luck maybe you can squeeze two or three more into your time. I know it's been good to me.

Nah.... I can't tell you something like that. That ain't right. In fact, besides that bogus advice I don't know a thing about finances. Nevermind..........

He is right about only once anyway. They put you on a payment plan now... one payment for all bills. My friend just did it.

In 1991 I filed bankruptcy, actually it wasn't that bad and gave me time to recover financially - I felt guilty about it for many years but I've let that guilt go. I almost had to file again in 2007, but with God'sblessings have been able to stay on track. I know the laws have changed and not all debt is total debt relief now, so it would be very wise to speak with a bankruptcy attorney - there used to be 3 types, a Chapter 7, total debt relief, Chapter 11, business restructure and Chapter 13, personal restructure - where you make payments to a trustee and they distribute to the debt over a period of time. DON'T FILE UNTIL THE DIVORCE IS FINAL THOUGH - AS IT WILL STOP ALL PROCEEDINGS........

It's not the end of the world, with the way the economy is we are finding that creditors are becoming more aggressive and filing suits and obtaining judgments - many times this is worse than bankruptcy - as IF you are able to obtain any type of property, they can put a lien on the property for the judgment and then foreclose on the property to collect the judgment -

After counseling with a bankruptcy atty you will be able to find out what you think is the best route for you.

Remember - it's OK to file and it's OK to start over and if this has to be a part of your starting over, then so be it - seven years is a lot less time than you spent drinking sweetie -

It's all good - you are in my prayers my friend.

I don't know whether the laws vary from state to state but we did CH7 in GA in April and it was a breeze.
1. Get an attorney
2. You need to do an on-line credit counseling course through cccs (consumer credit counseling service) which costs $50 and it takes you through your finances. I takes about 45 mins - 1 hour as long as you have all your finance info to hand. The course will advise you on whether you have a case, and assuming you do issues a certificate to say you have completed the course. This MUST be done prior to filing.
3. You get a court date and turn up. The judge goes through your paperwork, asks any questions and signs it all off. It took us 10 minutes.
4. You have to do an on-line 'course' about money management which is not judged and is not onerous. Costs $35 and takes maybe 40 minutes. Once again a certificate is issued which has to be filed with the court )via you attorney) within (I think) 1 month of the judgement.
5. There is a flat fee ($250 or $350 can't remember) which is paid to the court at filing.

That's it!

We had to do it because I'd accrued over $100.000 in medical bills in the six months after being diagnosed with cirrhosis.

Our attorney normally charges $1200, agreed to us paying installments and in the end didn't charge us anything because he likes us!! We have used him before for other matters.

My advice - do it and lump anything and everything you can into it because as others have stated you only get one shot at this every seven years.

Good Luck

Thanks all of you. I will be seeking advice from my attorny once my divorce is final.