Expert: Mark J. Markus- California Bankruptcy Attorney - 12/26/2007

Question
I just filed a (non-consumer debt) Chapter 7 BK in Indiana.  I've been at my current job for a year now, though my Schedule I/J shows me at roughly zero net income.

I'm at risk of being laid off and want to find another job before that happens, and would really rather not wait until discharge to do so.

My question:  What happens if I get another job with significantly higher income than my current job?  Could that jeopardize my status as a Chapter 7 filer, forcing me into a 13 or requiring some kind of monthly payments from me?  Must I wait until the discharge (or beyond) before getting a better job?

I have no particular offer or knowledge that I can increase my income, but would like to go out and get the best job I can get without shooting myself in the foot during this bankruptcy.

Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

Regards,
--John  

Answer
Well, that really depends on a number of factors, including the Trustee in your case and how the courts in your area treat this.  Technically, it shouldn't affect your bankruptcy case at all if you had no knowledge of this new job when you filed your bankruptcy case.  However, it would be safest if you didn't get the new job until after your meeting with the Trustee because one of the questions they ask is if anything has changed on the information you filed with the court.