The One Thing I Really Want Bankruptcy Clients To Do Is …
By Eugene S. Melchionne, Connecticut Bankruptcy Attorney on Mar 15, 2008 in Bankruptcy Myths, Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure, Benefits of Bankruptcy, Choosing Bankruptcy Attorney, Connecticut, Means Testing
The one thing I really want my Bankruptcy Clients to do is be upfront about personal issues. For example, when analyzing means testing data, it became apparent that several clients had substantial income that was unaccounted for. Money was disappearing out the budget each month that could or should be available to pay debt.
One client when being faced with the calculation disclosed that he suffers from MS and requires special injections that cost $1,300.00 per month and are not covered by insurance. Not only does the additional expense explain a lot, but MS is a progressive disease and the prognosis in his case was not good. This will affect any predictions of future income over the long haul. The same is true for my HIV-positive clients who are worried about this sensitive information becoming public. There are plenty of ways to communicate the information to the Court and especially the U.S. Trustees office that does not make medical information public and will help your case substantially.
The same is true for my clients who have gambling problems. Connecticut has two of the most profitable casinos in the world. They didn’t get that way by lowering the odds. They exist to take your money. Problem gambling is an addiction much like any other illness that needs to be treated and no one will judge you for being taken by a casino. Our judges uand Trustees understand that and you are not alone.
As I always tell my clients, “The truth cannot hurt you. It is far less work to tell the truth than it is to remember and sustain the web of lies needed to cover up the truth.” If you don’t feel comfortable in opening up to your lawyer, then you need to get a lawyer that you can trust.
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