Yes, in order to file Chapter 13 you have to have regular income. Social security and pension both count as regular income. (Chapter 13 is sometimes called a "wage-earner plan" but retirement income works ok.)

Most lawyers charge around $1500 for a simple case. There's filing fees and a required class so the totals my be around $1850.

Many lawyers will work with you on payments.

You definitely need to talk to a bankruptcy lawyer, now. A good lawyer will want a complete picture of your situation before suggesting the best plan.

Maybe not.

Did your written agreement with the dentist say anything about attorneys fees? If not, then they may not be able to collect them. Did it say "reasonable" attorneys fees. What's reasonable if so far all that's been done is to write a letter.

Is this... View More

Good question. No, is the answer. That's why you want to avoid reaffirming a car loan, if possible. (Ford Credit will repo cars that are current if you don't reaffirm, but no other major lender does that.)

Almost always, yes.

If the car was say a 2018 Bentley and you only owed two more payments--with something like that the bankruptcy trustee would sell your car. But if you owe about what it's worth, the trustee isn't interested.

Now if your car is financed by Ford... View More

No, they can't.

Credit Unions are allowed to repo the car if you don't pay your credit cards. But banks can't.

Mr Dennison points out something important. What's best for you if you own real estate can be very tricky. You really need to talk to a lawyer right away in that case.

You can read some things I've written about Freedom Debt Relief, here.... View More

Virginia has some of the weakest consumer protection laws in the country.

One place to look for a lawyer who could be able to take it on is National Association of Consumer Advocates. https://www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-attorney

Sadly, we see that scam a lot. Where in Virginia are you located. If you are in Northern Virginia I'd be glad to help.

If you declared bankruptcy within 180 days! of your mother's death, you would probably have to notify the bankrutpcy court.

It's not time barred. Once they have a judgment against you they can garnish for ten years; AND they can extend it for another ten.

If you have a judgment you need to either pay, or file bankruptcy. Only very rarely do they just go away.

After you give them your BK case number, do a little research. It sounds to me like this is an underground debt collector. Sometimes the Federal Trade Commission goes after them, if they get enough complaints. So you may be able to get them prosecuted.

IF they seem to be a legit outfit,... View More

A loan from an employer is like any other loan. You can clear it in bankruptcy, unless there was some fraud involved, or if you used it to pay your taxes.

It depends.

I begin to answer that question, here. https://robertweed.com/file-chapter-7-bankruptcy-in-virginia/

Most likely they will have evidence they sent you the notice, even if you say you didn't get it. There's no guarantee a judge will believe you. If this is your most serious debt problem fighting may help you. If you have lots of other debts, too, maybe it's time to repair your... View More

Once they get a judgment against you--maybe years ago--they have twenty years to hit you with garnishments. It would fall off your credit report after 7 years, but legally the judgment is still there.

PS The September date on the summons is the STOP date for the garnishment. The start... View More

After you send the papers to the court, you are required about a month later, to show up in person to answer questions. Usually you can get permission for a call in if you are on assignment for the US Government; other approval is tough.

When are you planning to be back?

If you are sure you never reaffirmed the car--and haven't refinanced it since--then yes, you can turn over the key, not owe any money and not ding your credit.

Sorry I don't know if the problem is that the judgment shows on your credit report, or that the judgment is attached to real estate you owned in July 2011 that you still own.