MasConcepts Incorporated

I owe 5k to a debt collector and their threatening to potentially take it to a lawyer if I dont make a payment by April 12th. I wanna file for bankruptcy(around 40k total debt) and I dont know if I should not pay them so I can use the money for a lawyer or pay them just to keep them happy and then hopefully by the next payment date assuming I qualify for chapter 7, I’ve already paid for my lawyer and everything’s in motion. I haven’t spoken to a lawyer yet so idek if I’d qualify but I think I would. Im in Maryland and I have around 40k total debt(credit cards), live w my parents, and I work at Amazon making 30-35k a year after taxes(overtime) but the thing is im a seasonal hire so my jobs not guaranteed and after like a month from now I could get let go(or promoted to permanent) at any time. My only assets my car which is prob worth around 5k. Do u guys think I’d qualify and also do u think I should make a payment to the debt collector or dont make a payment and use the money to help pay for a lawyer. The payment would be a couple hundred most likely.