Should I file before I get married?

Getting married really has no impact on bankruptcy if you and your future spouse are already living together. If you're gone a file chapter 7 Bankruptcy or chapter 13 bankruptcy if you are married are not has no bearing on the subject. If you do live within the same household, your future spouse's income will be taken into consideration within your bankruptcy petition, but it will not affect your future spouse. Being married really isn't a concern in bankruptcy it if your filing jointly or if you live within the same household, because bankruptcy court considers wage earners in the same household together within a chapter 7 bankruptcy means test. So if you already live together, don't let bankruptcy being concerned pertaining to your wedding plans. I have responded to your inquiry according to the laws of Massachusetts, where I practice. Laws can vary significantly from state to state and cases tend to be rather fact-specific, so you are best served by consulting with a knowledgeable attorney in weighing your options. Email messages/Online Correspondence are akin to conversations and do not reflect the level of analysis applied to formal legal opinions. Email/Online responses do not form an attorney-client relationship.   Joseph F. Botelho, Esq. BOTELHO & ASSOCIATES, LLCAttorneys At Law www.massachusettslawyeronline.com 126 Shove Street Unit 202 Fall River, MA 02724 Office: 888-269-0688Cell: 508-801-6747FAX: 877-475-8147 Twitter Facebook