[deadbeat]

I really don't know what to do. I got sick one year ago. I have a small monthly disability check, under $1,000.00. I developed an electrical problem in my heart and now I have a defibrillator in my chest and I cannot work. I owe a total of 15,000 divided among 10 or so creditors. They are all credit card debts. I never missed a payment until I reached a point in early summer where I really could no longer pay. I need to keep my lights on and my kids in school.

I have 23,000 in a 401K that I cannot touch unless I quit my job. I am currently on long term disability, filing for social security disability but have not severed my employment.

I don't sleep at night because of my health worries and my debt worries.

I am married but my husband is retired and lives on a pension and without my income, we live from check and there is no extra money.

I am signing my name deadbeat and it feels like crap.

DB

[CaptainForest]

So this defibrillator in your chest prevents you from working at all? Not even part time? Who then takes care of the kids?

Perhaps your husband might consider re-entering the workforce until you get better?

[Fr_Chuck]

Ok, so you can't pay your bills, I could preach all day about not making the bills in the first place, but that is too late.

So you don't pay them, you are not working, they can't do anything, they could attach your bank accounts, so you don't keep a bank account in your name.

You can of course file bankrupcty on these also.

[ScottGem]

First you don't want to touch that 401K money. First, there will be penalities for early withdrawal and second, where it is keeps it protected from the creditors.

Second, I know it feels bad to not be able to pay your bills, but you have to remember its not your fault that you developed the health problems.

So what I suggest is you speck to a debt counselor, who can negotiate with your creditors to reduce the amount you owe or at least reduce your monthly payments.