TLC singer T-Boz filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy back in October citing that she racked up $700,000 in debt. But last week a bankruptcy judge on Atlanta threw out her case for the third time.

The law requires that people who file for bankruptcy must meet certain obligations before a court will grant them protection. A bankruptcy attorney will ask their client to provide financial information which includes debts like mortgages and monthly income. The client seeking bankruptcy must also meet with creditors to draft a reasonable repayment plan and continue to pay down debts.

But T-Boz, whose real name is Tionne Watkins, failed to meet any of these obligations and a bankruptcy judge in Atlanta threw out the singer’s case last week. The trustee overseeing Watkins’ case asked the judge to dismiss the case.

Watkins filed for bankruptcy last February but the case was dismissed in July. Watkins along with her two other TLC band mates filed for Chapter 10 bankruptcy in 1995 over a contract dispute that was resolved a year later.

Watkins will be able to file for bankruptcy again in 180 days. Until then she will not get any protection from creditors, who are free to go after her assets.

Even though bankruptcy lawyers can get people relief from their debts it does not absolve a person from meeting the criteria outlined by the courts. Anyone who is serious about getting the help of a bankruptcy attorney, they should listen to their advice and at least make some attempt to pay their creditors.