u/bbwhatsmineisnowurs

filed monday. signed post-filing paperwork yesterday. waiting to hear for another update from my law firm. will they register me or should i register myself?

I did go through a law firm, but I’m still nervous something will go wrong. It’s such a detailed process, and also such a numbers game.

I’m worried they will question my expenses, at least the ones that are higher than IRS averages, even though I have good justification/documentation of them.

And I’m worried because I’m a contractor and although the last six months put me under the median, the coming months won’t. But I know they only look at the last six months..

I’m just scared I’ll be in the small percentage that gets dismissed. I’m in IL, 74k in debt, no assets. $5939 monthly combined income.

I moved from Texas to Illinois in November 2024 and I am filing my case here in Chicago this month (May 2026). Because I’ve been in Illinois for less than 2 years (approx. 550 days), I know the 730-day rule kicks in and I can't use Illinois state exemptions.

However, on Schedule C, my attorney checked the box for State Exemptions and listed Texas Property Code sections to protect my stuff (household goods, electronics, engagement ring).

Since I don't physically live in Texas anymore, is it normal to use Texas state exemptions in an Illinois bankruptcy court? Or should my lawyer have selected Federal Exemptions instead? All of my assets are low-value (under $4k total) and would easily fit under the federal wildcards anyway.

Just want to make sure the Illinois trustee won't immediately object to Texas state laws being used. Thanks!

basically I’m under the median right now for ch7 and we can file this month—hopefully this Tuesday or Wednesday. but I made an abnormally large amount in April. ill be paid that amount throughout May, and it would technically then put us above the median.

my law firm cautioned to think about that but acknowledged it’s hard too because you need money and work. He said the 341 meeting will be scheduled probably within 30 days, but then they look at your income for the next 60-90 days. so then what if i’m above the median? I’m a contractor so I make a different amount every month—it’s unpredictable.

what can I do to avoid being knocked from ch 7 to ch 13?

I’m a 1099/contractor and last year I was really struggling financially and fudged my expense numbers until I didn’t owe any taxes. I ended up getting a little money back instead of paying more. I was never audited though. But what are the odds that fucks me over in the bankruptcy process? I’m working on compiling all my forms now, my lawyer hasn’t seen them yet. Will obviously ask him but wanted to ask here first.