I filed for chapter 13 and the process from start to where I am now took about 2 months. I start paying    April 29th for the next 5 years and my date to show up in court is early May.

So I wouldn't think that filing and processing any type of bankruptcy should take that long.  I'm not a lawyer or any legal assistant but it does seem like an excessive amount of time. I believe that bankruptcy has some differences from state to state. I would make some phone calls and do some research  You don't have to commit yourself, just call a couple lawyers and ask a couple questions on bankruptcy like how long does it take.

I hope everything works out for you. I know its not easy for anyone. Have they even filed your chapter 7 ?

From what I understand, chapter 7 you get free from paying up and can walk away and get a fresh start but they take some of your property etc., but again your free and no longer have to pay the debts you filed under.  That's my understanding and again Im not a lawyer or legal assistant.  I had a friend who did chapter 7 and he told me he went into the court, signed some papers and walked out owing nothing.  That was a long time ago and I know they have made some changes since then from what I've been told concerning the bankruptcy laws.

I filed chapter 13 which is somewhat different.  It sucks.  My initial meeting with my so called lawyer and the way he had explained it to me, I thought that it would be a small percentage and the creditors would have to haggle over it to get their share. Boy was I misinformed! I'm in debt for $50,000 and they are going to get every penny of it. Plus they tacked on $7,600 for administrative fees which include more for my lawyer. So now I owe $57,600 and I have to pay every penny of it to a trustee.  Comes to $960.00 a month for 5 stinking years so my life basically has dramatically changed.  I'm going to be penny pinching for a long time to come, dreams of a new car, forget it and anything else for that matter.  Basically this is a five year pay off the entire debt program but yet even though every creditor is going to get every penny of their money back, your credit still sucks for 5 to 10 years.  WHAT A DEAL!!!!

The only benefit I see of chapter 13 is you get to keep everything you have, no one can call you, take any of your property or reposes your property (why should they, your paying for it anyway), cannot sue you, put a lien on your property, or garnish your wages.  Chapter seven is probably the same except I guess the court repossess property, I'm not entirely sure.

Anyway, I hope that gives you somewhat of an idea.  Dont feel bad because you dont understand because I dont either and from what Ive read, many others dont know until they experience it.  It seems that most of the lawyers do not tell you all the facts and then, bang, here it is, while their clients stand there with their eyes bulging and their mouths wide open in astonishment, I know I was when I got the wonderful news.

I'm in Florida.  Have you contacted a debt management company or a credit counseling service?  It might be helpful.  They may be able to help you consolidate your debts as long as you dont have some j#*ka@s company like American Express trying to sue you.  I dont know what your situation is but this might be a way out for you.  It doesnt hurt to check it out.  They take over your bills and negotiate payment with your creditors.  The only thing you would have to do is pay one monthly payment to them and it's nothing near what I'm paying with this chapter 13 crap.
I havent talked to my wonderful lawyer since the start of all this, only his stupid staff but I can already see that when I show up on my court date, I'm going to get the Gomer Pyle USMC routine "SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE".  Really looking forward to it. 

Wow I just got my discharge papers. I'm done! No more cc debt hanging over my head.

Hang in there, and get a differnt lawyers both of you. It should not take that long nor should you have those horrible fees.

I used Peter Francis  Geraci the guy with the lame commercials. I don't know if he has an office in your area, but he's good.  My chapter 7 was $1,700, I filed end of August, and now I'm done.

Don't forget to take your debt classes! There's 2 that are mandatory.