what info do i need for my attorney to dile chapter 7

by Andre Metz MD 10 min read

As a debtor in Chapter 7, your duties include disclosing information about every asset you own or have an interest in, and every liability you owe. Additionally, you will need to provide your attorney with information regarding your income, through pay stubs, W2s, and tax returns if applicable.

Documents Needed To File Chapter 7
  • Your tax returns.
  • Pay stubs.
  • Appraisals of your home, jewelry, and other exempt assets.
  • Your car titles.
  • Evidence of child support/alimony obligations.
  • Bank statements.
  • Proof that you took credit counseling.
Jun 30, 2021

Full Answer

What documents do I need to prepare for a Chapter 7 case?

Jun 05, 2017 · Knowing what to bring with you to an initial attorney meeting will make the process go smoother, and will give you more confidence that you will get a good result in your case. The documents needed to have a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case prepared and filed are: • Proof of income, which you can show by providing pay stubs.

Do I need a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

And find out why you need a bankruptcy lawyer when filing your case—our quick, 10-question quiz can help you spot potential bankruptcy issues fast. Documents You'll Need to Complete Chapter 7 Forms. Here are the primary things needed to get a Chapter 7 case started: six months of paycheck stubs; six months of bank statements; tax returns (the last two years) current …

What to bring to an initial bankruptcy attorney meeting?

Jul 03, 2018 · The documents filed for Chapter 7 can include the following information: Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition; List of assets and liabilities; List of creditors; Your current income and expenses; Pay stubs for 60 days before filing; Monthly net income; Disclosure of increases in income or expenses over the next year

How many times can you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Sep 12, 2014 · Chapter 13 involves putting together a formal payment plan, which must follow numerous legal requirements, and which often must go through a process of negotiation with creditors and the bankruptcy trustee. There is no such “plan” in a Chapter 7 case. So a Chapter 13 clearly seems to need an attorney.

What documents are needed for Chapter 7?

Documents You'll Need to Complete Chapter 7 Formssix months of paycheck stubs.six months of bank statements.tax returns (the last two years)current investment and retirement statements.current mortgage and car loan statements.home and car valuations (printouts from online sources work)More items...

How do I prepare for Chapter 7?

The first step to prepare for bankruptcy is to gather proof of your income. Copies of your tax returns and copies of proof of income for the past six months are required when you file a Chapter 7 case. To prepare for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, you must complete the Chapter 7 Means Test.Sep 3, 2020

What happens to your bank account when you file Chapter 7?

In most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, nothing happens to the filer's bank account. As long as the money in your account is protected by an exemption, your bankruptcy filing won't affect it.Feb 6, 2021

How long does a Chapter 7 stay on your credit?

10 yearsA Chapter 7 bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years from the date the bankruptcy was filed, while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will fall off your report seven years after the filing date. After the allotted seven or 10 years, the bankruptcy will automatically fall off your credit report.May 18, 2021

Documents You'll Need to Complete Chapter 7 Forms

The average Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition is approximately 50 pages in length, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that you'll need a lot of information to complete the required forms. Being organized will help you complete the bankruptcy forms efficiently.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Documents Needed After Filing

The court will want verification that the information provided in your petition is accurate and that you attended the required post-filing educational course. Here's a list of what you'll need:

Additional Documents for the Chapter 7 Trustee

You also must provide the trustee with any documentation reasonably necessary to investigate your filing. For instance, your trustee might want the following items:

How to file Chapter 7?

Gathering documents together can also help you better understand how Chapter 7 may benefit your situation and help you make a plan for managing your finances after you’re debt-free. We ask our clients to help gather the following documents to help us prepare their Chapter 7 filing, although other documents may also be needed: 1 Two pay stubs 2 Tax returns for previous two years 3 Every bill or letter you’ve received from collections 4 Notices of any lawsuits or pleadings you’ve been involved in 5 Real estate deeds, including those you have partial interest in, and/or mortgage letters 6 Titles for any cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats, motor homes and/or payment letters 7 Life insurance policies 8 Appraisals of your real estate, jewelry, and other assets if you have them

What documents are needed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

The documents filed for Chapter 7 can include the following information: Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. List of assets and liabilities. List of creditors. Your current income and expenses. Pay stubs for 60 days before filing. Monthly net income.

How long does it take to file Chapter 7?

It’s important to understand that these documents must be provided within 45 days ...

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a very effective tool for erasing credit card debt, medical debts, and most other unsecured debt. Although Chapter 7 is a liquidation bankruptcy, filers are able to keep all their property in more than 90% of all consumer bankruptcy cases in the United States.

How long do you have to take credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy?

Take Credit Counseling. Every person who files for bankruptcy has to take a credit counseling course in the 6 months before their bankruptcy petition is filed with the court. This is a requirement in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.

How often can you file for bankruptcy?

You can file bankruptcy under Chapter 7 once every 8 years . Chapter 13 bankruptcy is another type of bankruptcy available to consumers. The main difference to Chapter 7 is that you pay back some of your debts through the Chapter 13 trustee. Your monthly payment is based on how much you’re able to pay.

When is a 341 meeting?

Your 341 meeting, or meeting of creditors, will take place about a month after your bankruptcy case is filed. You’ll find the date, time, and location of your 341 meeting on the notice you’ll get from the court a few days after filing bankruptcy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 341 meetings are held either by video conference or via telephone until at least October.

What happens if you own a car that you still owe?

If you own a car that you still owe on, you’ll have to let the bank and the court know what you want to do with it one one of your bankruptcy forms.

How long does it take to rebuild credit after bankruptcy?

Either way, once granted permanent debt relief in the form of the bankruptcy discharge, most people are able to rebuild their credit score in less than one year. Collect Your Documents.

Can you file for bankruptcy if you have cosigners?

If you have any cosigners, they will not be protected by your personal bankruptcy. If you have great credit when your Chapter 7 bankruptcy is first filed, your credit score will likely drop a bit once the bankruptcy filing is reported to the credit bureaus.

Bankruptcy Consultation Documents: What to Bring to Your First Meeting with Your Lawyer

The most important, mandatory documents to bring to your initial bankruptcy consultation are a list of your outstanding debts and a list of your assets, focusing on major assets, such as houses, cars, boats, trailers, timeshares and the like.

Contact a Bankruptcy Attorney Today for a Free Consultation

If you are thinking of filing for bankruptcy, you are not alone. Lawyers can help you decided whether or not you even need to file a bankruptcy, but if you do, they’ll let you know which chapter would be most appropriate.

What happens if you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

If you are able to successfully file and complete a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you will receive a discharge from the Bankruptcy Court, which indicates that those debts which have been discharged can never be collected from you again; a financial fresh start courtesy of the Bankruptcy Code.

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, also called Straight Bankruptcy allows a debtor to discharge, or wipe-out, dischargeable unsecured debts. Unsecured means that there are no liens against property you own, given in exchange for the debt.

What are some examples of unsecured debt?

Examples of unsecured debts are credit cards, medical bills, professional’s fees, or personal loans. However, most student loans, and many taxes are not dischargeable. A person is usually eligible to file Chapter 7 if their family income over the last six months is Below Median Income for their state.