Trustee Day

Matthew and I did something today we never expected. Went for our court hearing in Bankruptcy Court with the Trustee. The representative from our attorney starts out by telling us we have "the most difficult Trustee in the Court". Yippee.

She was quite the interesting woman, our Trustee. She started about mumbling to herself (but, of course loud enough for everyone in the room to hear) how she hates this room, there are not enough outlets (for her laptop, voice recorder, etc.), that she doesn't know where any of the paperwork in this room is located "but it's up here somewhere and I am not going to pass it out to you".

Lovely, she's pissed and no one has even started.

Essentially we are in a run down, HOT, crowded room in the Russell Federal Building in downtown Atlanta. There are 19 people in a room about the size of our kitchen and family room combined. Everyone looks nervous (except for the obvious lawyer types).

Not quite sure why the Trustee did this - but when she called each individual up to her table, she had us put our IDs in a clear page protector to hand to her. I still haven't figured that out. I don't really think it was a "germ" issue because we were all touching the page protector and passing it back forth. That still puzzles me.

We listened to 2 others before us. The first man had 3 children, an older child in college and 2 twin special needs sons. He had the income in the family - a failed Internet support business and a house in foreclosure. The Trustee grilled him! I felt terrible for him. For me, who works in health care and is terrified to speak about anything outside of my office for fear of violating HIPPA laws, this felt like a terrible breach of privacy. It is none of my business, that he has 2 failed loans from his mother, that his twin sons have $700 / month in medical expenses, that he is in his home until he is evicted, and it goes on. He actually could not close his case today and had to be rescheduled until late June. I can't imagine going through this more than once.

The next guy was just as sad. A young father, lost his job in 2008, had his home foreclosed in 2009, the 2nd mortgage company was suing him so he had to file bankruptcy. His attorney was the stereotype of every attorney that you hate. Matthew and I both had a hard time staying in the same room with him. He "knew" everyone - brought "candy bars" for another Trustee in another room. Jokes with all the people sitting in the room. Explained to us how bringing candy to the other Trustee was not "bribery, it was just smart". Ewwwwwww.

Next was our turn. The Trustee starts out by reminding our attorney representative that she has told "Mr. Salata that he needs submit paperwork with full names and she hopes that she would not have to remind again" - great - she doesn't even like our attorney. But, in light of the previous 2 and the "irritable" mood of our Trustee - she let us off light. She even smiled at Matthew once! Our attorney representative, Susan G. did a great job and even made me feel more prepared. Matthew said "she was nice, but wasn't going to take any crap". I think that sums it up pretty well.

I think it is done. We should have our final paperwork of discharge July 27, 2010 - which Susan (the attorney rep for us) told us we should receive at some point in August.

It took me hours to settle. I don't think I have had a full night's sleep since Sunday night. I was getting increasingly irritable at work - I know they are glad to have a break from me today. I still feel a little anxious, hopefully that continues to improve.

I am glad that Jacob and Layne were home last night. I missed them. Not sure Joshua missed them so much, though. He was a little irritable after they got home "Jacob that's my spot", "Layne mooove", "Nooooo, that is mine". He really did like being King of the House. At one point on Wednesday evening Joshua was sitting in the den watching TV while I was doing some work on the computer. Matthew was putting away the dishes in the dishwasher. Testing out his new ability to have his needs met immediately, he yells from the couch

(Joshua) "Dad, I need a snack."

(Dad) "what kind of snack, food snack or drink snack?"

(Joshua) "Just bring me a snack, I don't care!" (translation "just do what I say, I am in charge now")

Matthew and the kids are on their way to Louisville. I will miss them. I can't believe it will be almost 3 weeks without Layne around here. She asked last night why Aunt Melanie gets to stay home and I don't. That was hard to answer - I only came up with the non-committal Mom answer "that's just the way it is".

Okay - we have been dealing with creditors, lawsuits, process servers, multiple collection calls daily for 9 months now. Hopefully it won't take 9 months for me to get rid of some of the stress.

Thank you family for your support.

Jennifer