Hi! chapter 13-er! first things first- i do want to communicate that i understand that a chapter 13 is not meant to be comfortable or fun and is completely voluntary.
i filed on 8/8/24 and was recommended to file a chapter 13 by my lawyer. Confirmed in January. at time of filing, i was working two jobs, one 40 hours a week at 23.50 an hour, approx $1890 gross per pay period and one 17 an hour on the weekend about 10 hours a week so around 800 gross a month.
in january my weekend job laid me off so I am no longer making that money, and i have had an increase in medical expenses around 150 per month due to some health issues that have been diagnosed. I have also been putting off a surgery to avoid having to go on any sort of disability so i can continue to make my payments, and although the surgery isn’t imperative, it would greatly improve my quality of life, but it would require more than a month off work at 60% pay.
I have contacted my lawyer by way of multiple phone calls and emails over the last month but have not received a response quite yet. i’m wondering if this decrease in income and increase in unavoidable reoccurring expenses is a realistic reason or request to convert from the chapter 13 to a chapter 7, or if this would be a suck it up for the remaining 26 months situation. it’s doable but incredibly stressful and very tight.
information below:
state: Michigan
household size: 1
current gross income based on 2024 taxes: 50084
plan length: 36 months:
assets: none
debt included: 64k federal student debt
IRS priority debt: 1739 paid through plan on 2/5/25
attorney fee: 3500 paid 2/5/25 through plan
monthly payment: 1620 (810 biweekly)
private student loan: 49k being paid outside plan $550 per month (has co-signer)
expenses:
vet plan: 150 (includes food)
phone bill: 95 with discount from work
medical expenses (medications and drs visits) 250
student loan: 550
storage unit: 100
vehicle maintenance: 150
gas: 400
personal care: 50
Groceries: 500
Union Dues: 100
Household: 150
Work Uniform: 50
Parking for work: 25
total: 2520
