how to prepare for a consultation with a bankuptcy attorney

by Roscoe Lubowitz Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 6 min read

How to Prepare for a Bankruptcy Consultation In preparation for the first meeting with your bankruptcy lawyer, you should collect all the relevant information and documentation. These will help give your attorney a better idea of your current financial situation and background.

Documents to Bring

Copies of your driver's license and social security card.
Your tax returns from the last two years.
Your bank statements from the last seven months.
Your pay stubs from the last seven months.
Copies of current statements from your mortgage and car loan.
A current estimate of your car's value.

More items...

Full Answer

How do I prepare for a consultation with a lawyer?

Based upon the information you provide, your lawyer will determine if declaring bankruptcy is the right decision. To get the best advice, you should prepare for the appointment. Here’s how. Gather the Documents You Need to Bring. When you schedule a legal consultation, your bankruptcy attorney may provide a list of documents to bring. Before your appointment, we suggest that …

When should I give the lawyer the copies of my Documents?

Mar 26, 2021 · To prepare for your initial consultation with your bankruptcy attorney, there are some documents you should bring with you. These documents will help you and your attorney when it comes to creating a plan: Proof of your last 7 months’ income: employer statements, pay stubs, Social Security letters, and more.

What to do before meeting an attorney for the first time?

Oct 29, 2021 · Gather Proof of Income: When filing bankruptcy, filers are required to provide proof of their average monthly gross income (including all sources of income) for the last 6 months (beginning with the 1st month before the bankruptcy case is filed). Bring your proof of income with you to your first consultation including pay stubs or other records showing your …

What should I bring to an initial consultation?

This gives the bankruptcy lawyer an idea of your monthly income-to-debt ratio. In addition, you should always bring a photo ID along with you. How to Prepare for Your In-Person Bankruptcy Attorney Meeting. Plan to show up on time and ready to answer your attorney’s questions honestly when you arrive.

What happens at first bankruptcy meeting?

341 meetings are held in a meeting room or a courtroom. When the case is called, the bankruptcy trustee will place the debtor under oath, and ask to see a photo ID and documentation of the debtor's social security number.

Should you seek legal advice when filing for bankruptcy?

Individuals can file bankruptcy without an attorney, which is called filing pro se. However, seeking the advice of a qualified attorney is strongly recommended because bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal outcomes.

What should you not do before filing bankruptcy?

Here are common mistakes you should avoid before filing for bankruptcy.Lying about Your Assets. ... Not Consulting an Attorney. ... Giving Assets (Or Payments) To Family Members. ... Running Up Credit Card Debt. ... Taking on New Debt. ... Raiding The 401(k) ... Transferring Property to Family or Friends. ... Not Doing Your Research.

What will I lose if I file bankruptcy?

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out most types of debt, including credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans. Your obligation to pay these types of unsecured debt is eliminated when the bankruptcy court grants you a bankruptcy discharge.Dec 12, 2021