In recent months, I have noticed that the Chapter 13 trustees in the Northern District of Georgia are requiring back-up documentation on many expense items set out in a debtor’s budget. I am now telling my clients to save receipts for the following expense categories:
- food
- charitable contributions
- non-reimbursed medical expenses
- gasoline and automobile related expenses
- child care
- after school program costs
- child education related expenses
The best evidence to prove that you actually spend what is set out in your budget are payment receipts of vendor invoices. If those are not available, I have had some success using a debtor’s affidavit swearing that you actually spend what you say you do.
About a year ago, I wrote a blog post identifying the information I need to start a bankruptcy representation. Add “receipts and documentation” to that list. Your best guess is no longer good enough for the Chapter 13 trustee. You can save yourself a lot of time and aggrevation by saving receipts and invoices.