I don't know where you live .....but I live in Canada. My ex and I did it years ago....he was the one gambling at that time and your lawyer is right.....just relax. In our case the creditors didn't even show up.....so more than likely yours won't either. I was really concerned and upset at the time and he told me not to be. He told me that he had clients such as drs and lawyers going bankrupt and told us that they made way more money than we do. That didn't matter to me ....because at the time .......it just felt terrible. I am now in the same boat myself as my ex was 20 years ago......addicted to machines. I'm thinking that bankruptcy right now might be an option for me if I can't get a handle on my bills. Right now I'm off because of illness so we shall see how it goes. I'm not sure how they will look at bankruptcy a 2nd time or if they will even let me do it.

Hello Assisi147:

I filed for a chapter 13 bankruptcy (I am paying back 6 figures of gambling related debt) in the summer of 2016, in the USA. I filed Chapter 13 because I have a lot of equity in my home and wanted to keep the house and car. I was also so worried about the creditors meeting. I kept thinking, are they going to ask me about my gambling? Why was my debt so high?
They asked very, very basic questions. For example, have you filed for bankruptcy before? Are you employed? Is your name??? Where do you live? Etc.....

The only thing that I found a little uncomfortable was the meeting is in front of other people. We sat in a large room in rows. Then you are called to the front of the room to sit at a table with the trustee and your lawyer. Everyone can see you.... It felt a little like shaming, but everyone was in there for the same reasons.
Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am happy to answer.

If it helps to alleviate the financial stress your addiction got you into, then it’s probably helpful for you. Please keep in mind it’s not something that will cure your addiction, there is no cure. After bankruptcy comes hard work, I would imagine. I’ve never been in a financial situation that would warrant a bankruptcy. I know that when my husband bailed me out by paying my payday loans off, that was years ago, I took it for granted. I shouldn’t have. I was shocked and scared enough never to do that again, not true, come to think of it I did do it again, but was able to sneakily pay it off! Ugh! In a panic I had to “borrow” some money from my daughter. That hurts so much to remember.
We’re all here for the same reason, to feel better.
Never give up

I know someone who went bankrupt the 2nd time in Canada and he went to a meeting before other people too ...with the trustee and lawyer. Others I have talked to said they never had to ...... I'm thinking they do this only when its your second time. Now that's in Canada .....I'm sure the US is exactly as lady described above. I'm trying so hard not to go bankrupt because it will be my 2nd time and who knows what will happen. I just wish I never got myself into this mess.

My gambling addiction led me to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2015. My income was too high to file Chapter 7.

Bankruptcy saved my life. I was carrying a six figure debt. I could not afford to keep up with the minimum monthly payments on my credit cards and personal loans. The stress caused by my financial situation was unbearable.

I was extremely embarrassed to even consult with a lawyer. I felt ashamed at the situation I was in. The majority of my debt was incurred at the casino through cash advances. My tax return showed exactly how bad my addiction was. I had to write off losses to offset the income tax on all handpays I had received. There was no way to hide how I got into the mess I was in.

I was so terrified of going to the lawyer I actually remember fantasizing about dying in a car accident on the ride there. That's how bad I wanted to escape my situation. I thank God I didn't.

I could not believe how understanding my lawyer was. He was supportive, non-judgemental, and reassuring. He was committed to finding a way to relieve my financial burden and was compassionate about my addiction. He even offered to assist in finding help for my addition, but at this point I had already stopped gambling for nearly a year.

The initial filing required me gather a whole bunch of documents related to my finances. It took me about 6 hours to get everything I needed together and to complete all the necessary forms.

The next step was the meeting of the creditors. This took place about a month after my filing. This meeting was by far the most stressful part of the process. I had to report to court where there was a room full of people who were also filing bankruptcy (maybe 25-50 of us). We all first sat through a presentation about bankruptcy with the trustee. Then we were called into smaller rooms with a representative of the trustee for the actual meeting. This part was difficult for me. I was experiencing panic the entire time. One by one we were called up to a table where the trustee's representative, bankruptcy filer and lawyer sit together and answer a few questions. In my case they asked me three questions. My name, my income, and finally the representative said "You realize you need to stop gambling." I simply replied "yes" and that was the end of it. I felt humiliated by this but it was over with quickly. At this point I hadn't gambled in nearly a year anyhow, but didn't want to spend any extra time in the room then I needed to.

After that everything pretty much took care of itself. I ended up only having to pay back about 55% of my original debt. My monthly payments are now 25% of what they were and my debt is actually being steadily paid down. I am 2 1/2 years into my bankruptcy with 2 1/2 years left. It's gone by pretty quick and has gained me financial freedom I would have never had other wise. Soon enough I was have no debt at all and a fresh start.

I have no regrets about filing bankruptcy. Like I said, it saved my life. I could never have kept up with my debt otherwise and bankruptcy relieved significant stress from my life which helped me focus more on fighting the addiction and less on the damage it did to my finances.

THANK YOU SO MUCH...Getting_out...Blckjalady...Robin-Mc...and Highlimit..for your support and advice. Personally I still really stressed out because my creditors calls and email are getting more aggressive even though my lawyer had sent them cease and desist letters(but not to all of them)...most of them are installament loans from payday lenders (I called legal loan sharks) with ridiculous and outrageous interest rate. Today I Had my first gambling therapy session..it was a great experience..My therapist and I had an hour conversation about my problem and how I end up in this situation...I will go for the next to months and he also suggested me to attend one GA meeting a week. But honestly even though my lawyer and even my therapist told me that the outcome of my chapter 7 will be ok...I still have that fear of my debts not being discharge....AND I KNOW THAT ITS MY MIND PLAYING THE SAME GAME IT PLAYED WITH MY GAMBLING ADDICTION. Thank you again.

Anytime the creditor calls, tell them that you filed for bankruptcy. Tell them the case number and give them your attorneys number. Then hang up.......You are protected by law and they should not harass you. If they countinue, you can sue them!