Roberta: We need a update. What's happened?
Joe
Sorry for the long silence. I've been, well, a bit busy. Just returning to this site.
I was unable to get a lawyer. I actually spoke to one. Plus two lawyers, one after the other, agreed to take the case pro bono and then changed their minds.
So I did the whole shmear myself. Did I do it right? Dunno. But the papers are done. I'm filing them tomorrow.
This has been a nightmare of changes, misinformation, and no information. My accountant wasn't tremendously helpful because the laws were changed recently, and he's not familiar with the new ones.
I redid the papers so many times that I used up an entire ink cartridge in my printer, printing out blank forms. Big sigh.
Just gimme money money back, youse bums.
Now I need to calm down. (Fat chance!) I'm considering filing suit against the state, once the bankruptcy is over. So far, from the few people I've mentioned this to, I've gotten very little optimism. But this was so phenomenally wrong that there must be some recourse--someone or something held accountable.
I appreciate the help and sympathy in this thread. I'm now behind in my work, which theoretically I will be paid for. So I must return to the mundane world of editing and proofreading.
And life goes on.
The final irony--there's a filing fee! Do I have it? No. Why? BECAUSE THE (expletive deleted) STATE TOOK ALL MY MONEY.
So I had to fill out a form requesting that I pay the fee in installments. So when I get my money back, it will be the money the state took minus the filing fee--and the amount I had to pay my accountant for his time.
We've been so worried...good to see you.
So...how long do you have to wait for some damn thing to happen?
Are you ok?
Roberta wrote:The final irony--there's a filing fee! Do I have it? No. Why? BECAUSE THE (expletive deleted) STATE TOOK ALL MY MONEY.
So I had to fill out a form requesting that I pay the fee in installments. So when I get my money back, it will be the money the state took minus the filing fee--and the amount I had to pay my accountant for his time.
It sounds like Catch 22, Roberta .... everything leads back to square one.
I'm so sorry that you're experiencing this & fervently hope that there's some sign of relief in sight ... pronto!
Oh this makes me
so mad! (Not that my anger helps you any. <sigh>)
Chumps, all of them chumps.
I'm back, and the papers have NOT been filed. Porque? I was missing stuff. I was told that if I filed without the missing stuff, the papers might be rejected--and I'd have to file again (and pay another fee). So I gathered up my papers and left.
I welcomed the the helpful and kind people--along with the information.
As I was leaving, I said, "I'll be back." Then I said, "I'm not quite the terminator. More like the terminated."
Bloody but unbowed, I'll fill out the additional forms and do the other stuff I have to do. But not until Monday. I'm going to try not thinking about this until then.
Big sigh.
Oh... the fee. This is a brutal process.
Roberta wrote:I'm back, and the papers have NOT been filed. Porque? I was missing stuff. I was told that if I filed without the missing stuff, the papers might be rejected--and I'd have to file again (and pay another fee). So I gathered up my papers and left.
I welcomed the the helpful and kind people--along with the information.
As I was leaving, I said, "I'll be back." Then I said, "I'm not quite the terminator. More like the terminated."
Bloody but unbowed, I'll fill out the additional forms and do the other stuff I have to do. But not until Monday. I'm going to try not thinking about this until then.
Big sigh.
Damn.
At least you found out.
Are you gonna play with us to forget about it?
Roberta wrote:I'm back, and the papers have NOT been filed. Porque? I was missing stuff. I was told that if I filed without the missing stuff, the papers might be rejected--and I'd have to file again (and pay another fee). So I gathered up my papers and left.
Oh WHAT????
This is getting to be like negotiating an obstacle course, Roberta! <sigh & grrrrrrrr>
I decided to take a nap. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, a horrible thought came to me.
One of the things I didn't do that needs to be done is that I must receive a certificate indicating that I have completed a credit management course. (Never mind that my situation has nothing to do with credit; I mentioned this to the people at the office. Doesn't matter; it's part of the new law.) So I'm about to fall asleep and the horrible thought penetrates my weary brain. Do I have to pay for this irrevelancy? Yes, I do.
Not only do I have to take the course, but I must pay for it. Is it just me or does this make no sense at all. People who are filing for bankruptcy must pay for a course.
I'm on the edge.
Roberta wrote:I decided to take a nap. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, a horrible thought came to me.
One of the things I didn't do that needs to be done is that I must receive a certificate indicating that I have completed a credit management course. (Never mind that my situation has nothing to do with credit; I mentioned this to the people at the office. Doesn't matter; it's part of the new law.) So I'm about to fall asleep and the horrible thought penetrates my weary brain. Do I have to pay for this irrevelancy? Yes, I do.
Not only do I have to take the course, but I must pay for it. Is it just me or does this make no sense at all. People who are filing for bankruptcy must pay for a course.
I'm on the edge.
This sounds like some sort of circle of hell.....
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Boida))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
You'll get there!!!!!! You will get past this crap.
You'll get past this crap and write a book about it.
I don't know how you can do it, if you don't have money. Charge it?
totally kerflooey.
The Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia is the government agency responsible for the administration and regulation of the personal insolvency system in Australia
At one stage a year or two ago ITSA considered bringing in a $100.00 fee for lodgement of personal Bankruptcy.
DUH!
Roberta wrote:Is it just me or does this make no sense at all. People who are filing for bankruptcy must pay for a course.
I'm on the edge.
It isn't just you, Roberta.
It doesn't make sense to me, either.
I'm on edge, too, just contemplating all you have to do.
Please may this all be over sooner, rather than later!
Roberta wrote:Not only do I have to take the course, but I must pay for it. Is it just me or does this make no sense at all. People who are filing for bankruptcy must pay for a course.
Credit card companies managed to get that provision inserted in the latest bankruptcy "reform" act, regardless of the fact that most bankruptcies are not due to overuse of credit cards (instead, most are due to health care costs or drastic changes in financial condition -- usually as the result of either divorce or unemployment). Of course, one way for credit card companies to avoid bad credit risks would be to stop issuing credit cards to them, but the companies make most of their money from people who misuse credit cards. Remember, credit card companies have a name for people who pay off their bills in full and on time: "deadbeats." Rather than exercise some restraint and avoid those credit risks, the companies are much happier to let the government punish them when they succumb to the allure of easy credit and the consequences of their own bad decisions.
Thanks for the insight and info, Joe.
You hit the nail on the head with respect to my situation. I lost my job. Then I had one prolonged, miserable illness after another. Fell behind in my taxes and everything else. Big sigh.
Quickie update.
Went through the list of counselors provided by the bankruptcy office. Narrowed it down to three. Made my selection. Went back to sign up and get going. This place went out of business. Web site shut down. Phones turned off.
One of life's little ironies. My second choice is still in business. At least it was earlier today.
Good grief.
How is Mikey faring..
