“Dear Steve,
I’m totally screwed all my own fault. I am a problem gambler.
I have never addressed this issue, only tried to maintain it, or hide it for that matter.
My money was never good…I have a good job but make bad moves all the time. About 6-7 months ago I decided I was gonna do chapter 7. I got behind on stuff and did not care at all…I was gonna file. Well, I got denied…I guess I made a little too much money.
I Had planned to walk from condo, let everything go, etc. This did not work…I have a condo that’s foreclosed, I’m still in it though. Behind on payments on a broken down car I can’t fix, 3 bad checking accounts, and all sort of bad debt out there too. My wages are garnished…I’m in real bad shape. For the most part I came clean with my girl, and she’s trying to help me out. But I’m backed up bad…I owe friends/fam…I have 3 bad checking accounts…around $1,000 owed, some payday loans that are bad. I don’t know how to start over…
I wish I could start over…never gamble, etc. I will go for help for this… but finances are horrible. I’m a single guy by the way who makes +/- about $5,000 year…at around $50K. All in all, i’m usually a good person and will do anything for anyone, but can’t kick this gambling thing. It’s everywhere I go…my moneys so screwed I don’t know how to claw back.
What do you think I should do? Can I go to jail for bad checking accounts? I have heard I can never go to jail for debt, is that true?
Dontwanttosay”
Dear Dontwanttosay,
I’d strongly consider getting a second opinion on the bankruptcy eligibility. You can click here to find a local bankruptcy attorney.
But the bankruptcy is the lesser of the problems right now. While bankruptcy may address your symptomatic debt problems it is not the root cause of your issues. The gambling is.
Frankly, I think you need to address your apparent gambling addiction first and once you are confident that is under better control you can deal with the financial problems.
Without the gambling problem receiving attention and treatment your bankruptcy will clear out your debt and leave you with a false illusion that you are good to gamble again. Gambling will become an aggressive force you will most likely not be able to hold back.
At the very least, I would strongly suggest you attend a local Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Listen to the type of help and assistance that might be available and if you are truly ready to make a commitment to change and make progress to tackle your gambling addiction, then we’ll tackle the debt problems.
Does that sound like a fair and reasonable approach to you?
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
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