Q: Do we HAVE to include our medical bills in a chapter 7?
We have 2000.00 in medical bills and we'd like to pay them on our own
A: Yes. You must include ALL debts owed. You still may pay them voluntarily if you wish.
A: You should list every debt you have but nothing in the bankruptcy code prevents you from paying off a doctor bill if you want to. Why don't you let the doctor's billing office know that you're filing bankruptcy and have been advised to list "EVERY" debt you owe, but that you will "try to pay them back as you can." That way they can't HOLD you to a specific payment plan or amount etc., but that you will pay "as much as you can, as often as you can" until it's paid off.
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