I have a friend whose mother has filed for bankruptcy many times in her life.  My friend was telling me that since she has grown up and moved away from home, she has tried many, many times to get her mother on track with her finances.  She found out that if she did not keep track her mother’s money, her mom would always end up in dire financial straits.  She hardly ever remembered her mother even opening her mail when it came.  My friend’s mother never recovered from loosing her husband, and just is not able to function.  My friend decided to help her file for Chapter 13.  She, her mom and the attorneys drew of a plan where she will basically handle her mother’s finances.  She is going to make sure that she catches up on her outstanding bills, and then she want to eventually pay the debt down to zero.  Then, with her mortgage back on track, she hopes have her home paid off within 7 years.  Her mom has a great monthly income from her husband, but has just been unable to get a handle on it.  She will do much better with her daughter taking the reins.