Expert: Terry Leeders - 2/22/2009

Question
My husband and I filed chapter 13, 2.5 yrs ago. After 14 yrs or marriage, we had a child. The medical bills were astounding (high risk pregnancy) and all the subsequent bills associated with an infant have left us financially destitute once again. We do not qualify for public assistance and we were wondering if bankruptcy plans or the trustees  account for additions to a household in extenuating circumstances such as ours, or do we have to file all over again and pay a new fee (a mute point as we have no additional funds or savings)? Is there any recourse available to us?
Thank you so much,
Kathryn

Answer
You can petition to modify the plan to either tack payments to the end, or lower the payments if you have increased expenses and there is room in the plan because some creditors perhaps didn't file claims.  Call your lawyer to do a case analysis to see what the plan can be adjusted to.