Here is my back story. I really don't know where to start or what I need to do. I've spent the last 4 hours going through a lot of the post on this forum. If you don't want to know what led up to all of my craziness please skip down to the questions below, maybe you can help.
Early 2015
Decided that I needed to be a responsible adult so that I could provide a better life for my family. I started looking up ways on how to fix credit and get credit. Was doing great got my first secured card, started disputing debt, and made sure I was keeping everything in check. Got a new (to me) car that I really needed through my local CU at a 9% rate, which was awesome for me. Everything was moving smoothly.
Late 2015
Everything was going great scores start to go into the high 600, obtained a few more CC, and started to work on my moms and spouses credit. I was really considering looking to get a home loan within the next 6 months, 2016 was going to be my year! Well it hit the fan, my family was ripped apart, and there were circumstances that I rather not go into detail in a public forum. I was suddenly a single mother fighting for her family. That is when the depression hit, I couldn't manage my money, depression hit hard, the only thing I could do was get up, get my kids ready, drop them off, and go to work. My life turned into never ending automatic cycle. I went from not having to pay anything in childcare to upwards of $1000 a month.
2016
I was able to keep my major bills paid on time, rent, lights, water, cell phone, car loan, and insurance. Due to this my credit cards started to suffer. I got to a point where I just stopped paying them because I couldn't afford it. I was still going through major depression and severe anxiety. There were times where I would make a late payment on one of my major bills but I was sure to never have anything cut off or something repossessed.
2017
At this point my credit was shot, pretty much everything went into collections except for my auto loan which I was still keeping up with. The calls and letters were non-stop and I just couldn't pull myself to deal with it. If anyone has gone through depression they know that it's hard enough to get out of bed let alone try to get your life back on track. I never thought I would be one of those people and regrettably thought that most people who claim they were depressed were over exaggerating. I now know that this is not true and is a very real thing and if you think you may be suffering or even just on the edge please seek help.
Fast-forward to now
I am on the verge of getting my car repossessed, there has been a skip claim filed (Not sure what it is couldn't find much info online). There have been decisions made some I regret many I don't. Due to my helping nature I have dug a hole that I can't get out of, I've tried every which way. Now I know that I need to do something and I think Chapter 7 is the way to go, but I don't know where to start.
Here is what I am looking at
I live in Texas and I am under the median income guidelines
I share a townhome with my mom and stepdad and pay rent and half of all the bills
Monthly Income $2593
Monthly bills $2112 (this is with my car payment)
Left over for emergencies, gas, food for 3 people $484 (myself and kids, not including my mom and step dad)
Amt of debt around $15500 (credit cards, medical bills, auto loan)
Questions
How do I find a decent lawyer? I've had bad experiences in the past and don't want to get burned.
I don't have any assets beside the car loan, will the process be easier this way?
Can I reaffirm my car if I promise to make payments, or is it too late?
What questions do I need to ask?
Thank you all for at least reading this, it felt good to get it out.
