Planning

There is no charge for the first consultation in non-business cases.  An attorney (not a paralegal or secretary) will meet with you to answer questions, discuss your financial situation, and explain your options.  In order to fully advise you and answer your questions we ask that you bring the following to your appointment: 

1.  Completed Client Questionnaire that we emailed to youHow Bankruptcy Works

2.  Your pay stubs, your tax returns, and 3 months of bank statements

3.  Any loan papers, billing statements, or court papers that you may have

Filing

Along with the filing of your bankruptcy petition which starts the case, federal law requires the filing of a list of all of your assets and disclosure of all information requested about transfers of property that you may have made in the past.  The schedules filed in the office are helped prepared by you based on answers that you gave.  It is crucial that this information and your answers to the questions are accurate.  If the schedules contain any errors, or if you later remember something relevant regarding an answer that you gave, it is your responsibility to notify us and the bankruptcy court immediately.

Listing Your Creditors

Federal Law requires that you list all of your debts, even those owed to friends or family.  Finding the debts that you owe and providing the list to us is your responsibility.  Debts can be added after the initial filing, but this will result in more court costs.  If you are having trouble locating all of your creditors we suggest that you order a free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com.

Bankruptcy Discharge

One of the reasons people file bankruptcy is to get a "discharge".  A discharge is a court order which states that you do not have to pay most of your debts.  Some debts cannot be discharged (most taxes, child support, alimony, most student loans, and others).  The discharge only applies to debts that arose before the date you filed.  Also, if the judge finds that you received money or property by fraud, that debt may not be discharged.