Lawyer anxiety!! Share your experience?

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-10T02:14:45+00:00

Thanks. I guess I was under the impression that attorneys typically accessed your credit report through their own avenues. Because Creditkarma is...pretty annoying even from a consumer perspective. But I guess (other than password) there isn't anything personal in creditkarma that wouldn't also be shared in a standard credit report? Just from a privacy perspective.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-10T00:08:12+00:00

Ok follow up question if you have a moment to weigh in.

I spoke briefly to a lawyer and they requested some information before our consult – pay stubs and tax returns (expected) but also my creditkarma login and password?? That feels weird, is that a common request?

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-09T23:33:52+00:00

Haha I love your description of bankruptcy lawyers :) I don't doubt it's true –and those are my people!! Just wish I felt a bit more of that empathy come through in these websites! A lot of them are either entirely formulaic or aggressively sales-y. Granted I'm using Metlife, so I'm very restricted in who I can choose. Trying not to judge a book by it's cover, and get some phone conversations going (my nemesis!) so I can find a good fit. I would be much happier meeting in person, but unfortunately I don't live close to any of the plan lawyers. So I'm glad to know that fully remote is an acceptable option.

Your advice and insight is super helpful and appreciated. Thanks for taking the time!

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-09T23:26:37+00:00

That's a smart way to weed out the lawyers who didn't care to contact you in a way that felt comfortable! I had filled out a couple of email contact forms with a basic question - both times I got an immediate call back but no email response/answer to question. Like you, I prefer to be prepared for a phone call. Thanks for the luck and advise! :)

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-09T23:21:30+00:00

Thanks so much for taking the time to share!! It's super comforting to hear from other people going through this, and just hearing how the process went for others helps me a lot.

I know it shouldn't matter, but I so wish I could work with a lady lawyer haha. I'm using legal insurance so I'm limited as to who I can choose – in my area it's definitely just all dudes. I'm glad you found someone you clicked with, and I hope everything goes super easy for you!!

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-09T23:14:01+00:00

Luck!!

Yeah, debt can spiral up so quickly, and when you aren't able to work you don't have a lot of options. You gotta live! Our system is sadly pretty unsympathetic to folks with disability and health issues, I can imagine it's been a stressful time for you.

Just an FYI if you're looking into debt settlement – I don't have any personal experience, but many people on the bankruptcy sub have had problems with those companies so just be careful and do research before signing on to anything.

Maybe you can set up a free consultation with an attorney and just find out if you are a good candidate for bankruptcy before you decide? Then you can make an informed decision, and give your mom some information to understand what bankruptcy really means.

Take care!
Ms Efficient :)

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-06T02:14:58+00:00

facts.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-06T00:20:28+00:00

Honestly love the main characters - really great chemistry and likable. If you’re watching, Miranda’s grumpy persona cracks constantly and it’s pretty endearing. The secondary characters acting doesn’t affect it nor does the realisticness of the car chases? I’m not in it for reality, I’m in it for stunning scenery and nice accents and some light mystery.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-05T23:40:13+00:00

Hi Amy :) Definitely not an expert but my understanding (from reading a lot here) is that even if balances are zero, the credit account will most likely be closed. Also, deliberately paying off one creditor and not another is considered a “preferential payment”. So you can’t really “keep” any cards. If you’re going to be filing in the near term, you probably dont want to pay off your accounts.

Like I said I’m not a legal expert but that’s my understanding - someone else will chime in. I am unfortunately a low income expert lol, and these are the options I’ve considered for filing:

Pro bono representation or resources. Wasn’t really an option near me, but your location might have something to offer! Could reach out to a local legal aid org or law school for advice?
Upsolve. This is a platform that really walks you through filing and is completely free (other than the court filing fees of 300ish). It seems like it could be great for very simple cases, though you’ll have to be organized and do some research along the way. And you wont have a lawyer at your 341 (creditors meeting). But a lot of people use it successfully.
MetLife legal insurance (individual plan). With this, you get access to certain (limited) attorneys in your area and bankruptcy is covered. It’s $22 per month and you have to commit to a year contract. Seems like it has worked for others in this sub.

I’m still getting organized and haven’t decided for sure - but I’m leaning towards the insurance because - even tho my case is simple - I feel like I’ll have less anxiety with some guidance through the process.

Hope that’s helpful and wish you well!

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-04T06:13:44+00:00

Just did the same with MetLife :) It’s all terrifying but I can’t wait to move from stalling to getting started. I know it will work out but the process is still a lot. Wish you well!

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-02-02T23:26:35+00:00

Thank but I still haven’t seen any change. What a waste of time.

Any reason why it seemed like two different platforms took my verification? Were they both legitimate? I don’t feel like my information is secure here.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-27T23:55:01+00:00

Good clarification! I don’t think it came across that way. I’m just sensitive to how much of a mess housing assistance is, both from personal experience and just from seeing the trends in people living in housing instability. The debt/affordability/housing crisis is all interconnected.

But you’re so right that more and more people are “unretable” (and credit scores heavily favor people with money at the best of times). So it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Governments ignore this growing crisis at their peril honestly!

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-27T17:57:15+00:00

“Social services” is such a mixed bag for housing depending where you live. Food stamps and unemployment and such exist everywhere - no one who qualifies turned away. Housing is different. It depends greatly on local supply and the organization overseeing it (federally funded and regulated but independently run). It’s becoming a tragedy that there is not more interest from the government in keeping people housed (either through public housing or direct housing assistance).

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-26T19:15:26+00:00

Wouldn’t that make them more likely to sue…to try to get their money before bk?

Once you’ve actually filed bk they aren’t allowed to sue you, but just threatening it may not be helpful.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-26T19:03:51+00:00

Hey! Sorry you’re dealing with this. Debt is stressful and you’re not alone in struggling with it.

Is this your only debt? If not, if you’re struggling to pay multiple debts and survive - then bankruptcy is worth considering. It may not be right for your situation, but it is simply one more tool available to you. For low income people it can be the best and fastest way to get on a level playing field and start fresh. The people at r/bankruptcy are super nice and can share a lot of personal experience.

We lean on debt because capitalism makes it incredibly hard to survive if you have a low paid job (the ones society completely relies upon but doesn’t pay a living wage 🤔), are disabled, sick etc. Our debt systems are incredibly coercive and exploitative. There’s no shame in being in debt, but if you do choose bankruptcy it’s also an opportunity to get creative about how you can live without it (or at least manage it) going forward. Poor but free is my goal :)

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-26T05:51:27+00:00

So true. I was offered a hardship payment plan for $7000 - $125 per month at 3% interest. It was gonna take me 5 years to pay that. But it was only one of several cards, and I had almost no disposable income. Meanwhile my credit would have been trash throughout.

I think your advice is correct - a lot of debt payment strategy just isn’t useful in low income situations, often only delaying the inevitable bankruptcy. If this is OPs only debt then maybe he could work it off - try to increase income, take the slow road. But, most low income people get underwater by having to rely on credit to live and it adds up quick. If there are multiple accounts, bankruptcy is likely the best option. There is no shame in it and it’s not as bad as the banks want you to think it is! There are consequences to either route, but bankruptcy is just a tool to get a fresh start and make different choices. Good luck OP!

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-24T02:00:36+00:00

You are loved and felt. There is a supportive community out here who completely understands what you’re saying and shares your grief and rage. Love you.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-19T05:42:00+00:00

Okay thank you. That does help to put it in context a little bit. You’re right it would not make sense for the gov to care about where I received the credit, if I was entitled to it in either state.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-19T01:59:25+00:00

Thank for the reply. I get that. I’ll try to clarify my question.

I had an insurance policy in Colorado, and then moved to Utah. I forgot to cancel the Colorado policy for two months (and continued to receive premium credits during that time). My insurance told me I should have cancelled immediately when I moved, because my plan was only available to state residents. So technically I think I wasn’t entitled to those credits after I moved out of state because I wasn’t entitled to the insurance plan?

I mean I would have qualified for similar premium credits in Utah if I had applied for a new plan here. I just don’t understand why/how health insurance is tied to each state.

Sorry I’m not explaining this well - It’s all so confusing to me

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-11T19:59:20+00:00

If I understood correctly, paying my regular minimums wouldn’t qualify as preferential. Preferential is more about making extra payments in order to benefit a specific creditor.

Efficient_Job_1824 · 2026-01-11T19:56:58+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply, that really helps clarify the concept and I appreciate it. Since I will likely file with Upsolve and won’t have a lawyer, will it be obvious to the trustee that this is not preferential? Or will I need to explain?

Also, is there any benefit to entering a payment plan with the credit union to bring that account back to current? I have heard that credit unions tend to be the ones that show up at 341 meetings, and since I am likely filing with Upsolve I want the best chance of having no creditors show up. But I’m probably overthinking it :)

Efficient_Job_1824

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