A new beginning fresh out of a battered women's shelter

[ugachicky]

Hi. I am new and have been lurking and ready for about a month. I finally decided to pull my reports and post here.

 

I have been in a battered women's shelter for 5 months. I now have my own apartment a great job starting at $13.94 an hour with a trucking company as a dispatcher and an opportunity for tons of overtime this holidau season.

 

Here is my situation. I was with my crazy ex for 12 years. He handled all fiances. I pulled my trans report and score faco was 589 and $16k in collections. Lots of medical 3-5 years old and some of his credit cards where I was on them that are 5 years old.

 

I pulled experion and score was 507. Total was $25k in collections owed. Again medical and credit cards joint with him and some cell phone and cable collections as well.

 

I could not get equifax to pull. Said I had an account and I would need to call. I need to have my top teeth extracted and dentures VERY soon from where he broke a lot of my teeth and I am in severe pain. I also need a car as I am borrowing on that I have to give back next month.

 

So I have decided the best thing is to file bankruptcy and start over. I am a frugal person and use to have great credit until I let a true sociopath take over and ruin it all. There is no way I cN catch up and I don't know how to afford the $2k needed for extractions and a denture on top at the moment but I am working as much as I ca to try and get there.

 

Here are some questions:

 

1) what does it cost to file chapter 7?

2) do you think with my situation that would be my best bet?

3) if I file ch 7 how long before I could start to rebuild credit?

4) any suggestions on getting a car? Would a big here lay here for a cheap car work for starters? I can't afford to just pay a couple grand for a car. I would need a loan of some sorts and yes I know I would have a high rate but I have to start somewhere.

 

I am rock bottom and just getting out of a shelter and Into an apartment and now Paying $850 a month rent is grocery plus light bill kid taking care of two kids us gas in the car I am borrowing takes all I have. This why they are letting me work overtime. I am suppose to get $1150 a month child support but dad is in jail awhile so that doesn't get received.

 

I am just looking for advice on how to start and get my life back on track. My BIG issues is I need a car and i need my teeth fixed within next month or two MAX.

 

Thank you for any suggestions or kind words. We do not qualify for food stamps or state assistance so I think I am doing damn good with what I have right now.

 

Again thank you!!

[Tyra]

There is also a bankruptcy forum and a medical billing forum if you have not seen those yet. You should be able to see them from the forum list page.

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showforum=29

[ubercat]

2k for extractions on a full arch and a replacement prosthesis is just about the best deal I've read in years.

[IndyPoolPlayer]

You'll always have friends here. The amount X owes in ordered child support doesn't go away while he's incarcerated. He'll be in arrears and when he gets out any job he gets he'll be garnished up to the limit for child support until he catches up. With any hope that scumball is getting his teeth knocked out while in jail so ..... well never mind.

[Platystemon]

I can't really offer specific advice ...

all I can say is that the worst seems to be over. Congrats on getting yourself out of that situation.

 

From here on out: baby steps. Tackle things one at a time and realize that this is going to be a slow slog. But it will get better!

 

Always keep in mind that you were strong enough to get out and now you'll just have to remain strong and continue on ....

 

Good luck!

[NewbietoFinance]

Ok, I do not know what state you are in, but likely, given your history, if you have any documentation on the situation you have been in, you can almost assuredly get rid of the utilities and items that were in both your names. I would contact your local rehabilitation agency, they can likely assist you with your dental work, If you like, You can PM me, My Fiancee' works in the rehab field, and is a fount of knowledge in these areas, A lot of the help you can receive is based on how you present it them.

 

I am very sorry to hear of you situation, But be glad you are out of the relationship, and work forward to a better life!

[mizliz1011]

I am a trustee for a charitable trust in NY. We give money to my sister's place and they have a fund for dental work (you are not alone) and a legal fund. Have you gotten divorced? Sometimes the judge will rule to abate all credit card liability due to financial and emotional and pysical durress during the time of abuse. You need to look into this. One woman;s husband ran up $100K in gambling debts and made her sign (she was terrified of him). Actually,be glad he is in jail... However, you need to go to a very good woman's support group. Please tell me what state you are in and I will see if there is any networking available. Please PM me. Liz ps also look up HerJustice. good luck

[BlackKnight1983]

You'll get good advice on these boards...

 

The first thing I was wondering is if you had gotten a divorce (although I didn't read that you were married). If you weren't, are you common law (after that long)?

 

Before you think about credit repair, you have to get free (divorce) so that your ex can't run up any new debt that you might be held libel for. There's another post on the board right now regarding jail debt. I knew a woman who once had to pay a fine for getting beaten up (she fought it and finally won (her 17 year old son kicked the crap out of her, she called the cops, the judge fined the kid, who was a minor so the fine was sent to collections on her)). Since money's tight, you might be able to go for legal aid.

 

Please let the people on the board know what state you're in.

 

You mentioned that you didn't qualify for food stamps, etc. Many forms of assistance are duplicated on the county, state and federal levels, so just because you were denied for one, doesn't mean that others will deny you as well. Plus, churches and other charities may be able to help.

Edited October 5, 2014 by BlackKnight1983

[chugs102]

Difficult to know if BK7 is a good option at this point without additional information. Please list the negative tradelines, DOFD and amount.

 

If you BK7, you can start rebuilding immediately. However, it will be slow going early on. You will need secured cards to rebuild. It will be difficult to get auto loans.

 

Look into alternative methods for getting those debts discharged. If the debt is beyond SOL, you won't need to repay at all.

[ICANHASMUNY?]

" Give Back a Smile" is a charitable program specifically for victims of domestic or sexual violence

 

run by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation

http://www.aacd.com/index.php?module=cms&page=610

They process your application, and find you a local participating dentist.

 

BK is a good option if you're in a state with a long SOL.

 

What state are you in?

even if the EX is awarded all the Bills in court, that doesn't get it off your credit reports, and the creditors & CA's don't care;

you would have to go back to court to get it enforced, which would mean a confrontation with EX somewhere along the way - which I'll assume you would like to avoid.

leaving him stuck with the bills when you declare BK will be bad enough - how long will he be in jail for?

 

A free car maybe available thru the National coalition against Domestic Violence

 

http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DonateaCar.php

 

they work with 1-800- Charity Cars - folks donate their vehicles and one may be available.

 

http://www.800charitycars.org/

[graymidday]

Have you thought about getting a new social security number for safety reasons? I might consider that in your situation so this bozo can't continue to trash your credit when he gets out. They do it in situations like this.

[mizliz1011]

We are all anxious to help you. Don't hesitate to reach out. ICAN, that was an enourmous and invaluable post. I am so impressed. I also set up a fund for sheltering animals of domestic abuse victims. Then there was something in Congress recently as well.

 

Everyone knows someone who went through this. Silence is the best friend to the abuser.I am assuming that you are a legal citizen but if not, there is a way to get that as well. WHAT STATE???

[pwd847]

Freeze Lexis nexus.

[Positivemotion]

" Give Back a Smile" is a charitable program specifically for victims of domestic or sexual violence

 

 

run by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation

http://www.aacd.com/index.php?module=cms&page=610

They process your application, and find you a local participating dentist.

BK is a good option if you're in a state with a long SOL.

 

What state are you in?

even if the EX is awarded all the Bills in court, that doesn't get it off your credit reports, and the creditors & CA's don't care;

you would have to go back to court to get it enforced, which would mean a confrontation with EX somewhere along the way - which I'll assume you would like to avoid.

leaving him stuck with the bills when you declare BK will be bad enough - how long will he be in jail for?

A free car maybe available thru the National coalition against Domestic Violence

 

http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DonateaCar.php

 

they work with 1-800- Charity Cars - folks donate their vehicles and one may be available.

 

http://www.800charitycars.org/

This is so nice. I wish all the best to the OP.

[ugachicky]

Thank you all so mugh for the advice. I am all alone. No family and friends just me and kids. We are in Georgia. We were never married and Georgia is not common law anymore. I will definitely research some things here that were given on advice. My main thing right now is my teeth. Omg I am in pain. He broke three front teeth and dentist told me he would have to extract and because I was on chemo before which does a number on your teeth he said best was remove all tops and do immediate denture. I am in severe pain. I can start process when I have $500 for the Impressions. Then three weeks later will need the other $1500 since my dental ins caps at a thousand. So I am trying daily to get through the pain.

 

And the collections on my reports are between last year and 5 yeR olds. Half seem to be in last two years. I have a restraining order against the crazy butt so how would I maybe ask for a new social? He has committed fraud in my name before with my Ssn. Hmmmmmm...

 

 

Thank you all again for the advice. I am trying hard to take it day by day and help heal my kids while I fight to survive in this world.

[ugachicky]

Newbietofinance I can't pm you or rather can't figure out how so can you contact me??

[ICANHASMUNY?]

Thank you all so mugh for the advice. I am all alone. No family and friends just me and kids. We are in Georgia. We were never married and Georgia is not common law anymore. I will definitely research some things here that were given on advice. My main thing right now is my teeth. Omg I am in pain. He broke three front teeth and dentist told me he would have to extract and because I was on chemo before which does a number on your teeth he said best was remove all tops and do immediate denture. I am in severe pain. I can start process when I have $500 for the Impressions. Then three weeks later will need the other $1500 since my dental ins caps at a thousand. So I am trying daily to get through the pain.

 

And the collections on my reports are between last year and 5 yeR olds. Half seem to be in last two years. I have a restraining order against the crazy butt so how would I maybe ask for a new social? He has committed fraud in my name before with my Ssn. Hmmmmmm...

 

 

Thank you all again for the advice. I am trying hard to take it day by day and help heal my kids while I fight to survive in this world.

 

Change dentists. you may be able to get the dental done for free, or for the insurance costs, with no out of pocket to you..

 

but it's been 5 months since you were in a shelter, didn't they have any help for you with the dental?

 

" Give Back a Smile" is a charitable program specifically for victims of domestic or sexual violence

 

run by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation

 

http://www.aacd.com/...le=cms&page=610

 

They process your application, and find you a local participating dentist.

 

 

what type of fraud was it that he committed with your SS'#.?

 

You can file ID theft reports with the FTC and police dept. and then file those with the credit reporting agencies and the lenders to have any accounts he opened blocked from your credit reports.

 

 

Georgia legal aid may be able to help you http://www.georgialegalaid.org/

[ugachicky]

No the shelter just told me to apply to Medicaid but with the amount awarded for CS I got zero help. They said I made too much. I will research today and keep you posted.

[NewbietoFinance]

No the shelter just told me to apply to Medicaid but with the amount awarded for CS I got zero help. They said I made too much. I will research today and keep you posted.

 

If you are not actually receiving any Child support, how can you make too much? (Or are you getting the CS?)

[graymidday]

Here is the info on getting a new SS number for domestic violence victims. As far as lexis nexus goes, you can upload a copy of the court case to them via their website and they will freeze your file.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10093.pdf

Edited October 6, 2014 by graymidday

[londonfog]

Op, I think that you are doing awesome!! Keep moving forward! I lived in Georgia for several years & I think that you would qualify for Medicaid. I don't think that you required to report child support that you are not receiving, however, you should direct that specific question to a case worker at the DFACs office & ask for a reconsideration because of that reason. The application specifically asks for current income & if you do not currently receive child support, then that should not be included (even it it is court ordered). It's been over 5 years since I moved but I was getting paid $13.70 before I left with one child & qualified for Medicaid so I think that you can qualify as well with your income & more children until you are able to keep moving forward & increase your income. If you are able to speak with someone ASAP, they can retro the Medicaid back to cover some other medical bills that you could've possibly occured & that can also possibly cover your future dental visits.

 

I'm not advising you to file BK but only want to note my experience doing so in Georgia because you asked for costs. I filed myself in Georgia in Jan 2008 because I could not afford an attorney. I researched & located a DIY site that walked me through the process as well as provided me all the paperwork to take to the BK courthouse to file. I had to do lots of leg work by finding ALL of my past debts to include them & think I paid around $99 online for the site to prepare my paperwork, $14.95 for the required pre-couseling class & the Georgia BK court has court fees that they allowed me to breakdown into $80 every 40 days. If you have never filed BK before then you are usually allowed to make the payment arrangements with the court. If you have several debts the fees for attorneys get higher & higher. I was quoted $5,000 plus just for 10 or so debts & I had way more than that. I didn't have any loans or debts that I needed advice from a lawyer so I was able to file myself. The BK judge granted my BK7 in less than 2 minutes (literally) & asked how much I paid to do it myself for statiscal purposes ($113.95 not including the court fees $299), told me to have a good day & sent me on my way. This is my experience & costs alone which of course would not be the same as everyone else's. As another poster mentioned, maybe check out the BK forum for advice & definitely do your research before making that decision.

 

I wish you and your babies all the best!

[ugachicky]

They calculate it in even when the person is not paying. So I do not qualify. It is awarded to me by the court therefore it has to listed on government assistance applications. Chet could give a rats Butt if you get it so long as they don't have to cover paying

[ugachicky]

Ps my youngest gets Medicaid and they denied me and my son and kicked us out for food stamps all together and now you must list CS even if you do. It revive it. That was what the lady that reviewed my case told me. I got FS in the shelter but as soon as I got a job they said I made $20 to much a month. I barely barely barely make it but I make it!

[londonfog]

GA can be harsh!! I'm glad that you are positive though. Your kids watch the way that you handle situations & being positive throughout your circumstances teaches them that they can accomplish anything & to stay positive themselves! I'm excited for y'alls future! You're doing great!