what information should you take to bankruptcy attorney appointment

by Miss Eugenia Rempel II 3 min read

So that we can give the best possible advice and representation, our bankruptcy lawyers request that clients bring the following information to their first appointments:

  • List of creditors (name, address, ZIP code, account number, amount owed)
  • Living expenses (types and amounts of average monthly living expenses)
  • Pay stubs (for the past six months)

What Should I Bring When Meeting With a Bankruptcy Lawyer?
  1. All financial documents, including bank account statements, receipts for major purchases, wage statements, and tax returns;
  2. A list of your creditors that you owe money, and their contact information, account numbers, and how much money you owe each one;
Dec 1, 2020

Full Answer

What documents do I need to bring to my bankruptcy appointment?

Mar 14, 2017 · The attorney will have some documentation for you to fill out upon arrival, so please know the following information and bring the following documentation to your first appointment: A copy of a state issued ID or valid driver’s license. A copy of a valid social security card. A copy of your most ...

What should I bring to my first meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer?

So that we can give the best possible advice and representation, our bankruptcy lawyers request that clients bring the following information to their first appointments: List of creditors (name, address, ZIP code, account number, amount owed) Living expenses (types and amounts of average monthly ...

Do I need to send documents to my bankruptcy meeting of creditors?

If you are self employed, then a 6 month profit and loss statement is a good idea. If you are on disability, unemployment, social security, or other aid, proof of the last 30 days income from that source is very helpful. Creditors: Your attorney will want to know what your debt is for.

What should I do when filing bankruptcy?

When you consult a bankruptcy attorney you should be prepared to provide the following documents: Photo ID and social security card; The last six months of pay check stubs. Sometimes this information can be obtained from your employer; Last two years of income tax returns; Real estate deeds and ...

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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 paperwork do you need for Chapter 7?

Documents You'll Need to Complete Chapter 7 Forms 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)

How a bankruptcy lawyer can help you?

A lawyer can handle the petition process's technical facets and ensure that easily avoidable mistakes are not made. An attorney can also offer information to prevent clients from making further harmful mistakes during the bankruptcy and debt relief process.Feb 16, 2021

What is the means test for Chapter 7?

The bankruptcy means test determines whether you're eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The bankruptcy means test determines who can file for debt erasure through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It takes into account your income, expenses and family size to determine whether you have enough disposable income to repay your debts.

What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?

The biggest difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 is that Chapter 7 focuses on discharging (getting rid of) unsecured debt such as credit cards, personal loans and medical bills while Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on secured debts like your home or your car while also discharging unsecured debt.

What is a BK attorney?

Whether representing a debtor or creditor, a bankruptcy lawyer's objective is to navigate the client's case through court proceedings and obtain the best possible result under difficult circumstances.Mar 30, 2021

How much money does a lawyer make in South Africa?

Legal professionals are also proving to be highly mobile, with 19% surveyed being open to new job offers – mainly looking for a pay rise or career progression....Here's how much money lawyers earn in South Africa.Private Practice2022 annual salary rangeNewly QualifiedR580 000 – R650 000PartnerR1 400 000 – R2 200 000Senior AssociateR850 000 – R1 400 0002 more rows•Jan 6, 2022

What type of bankruptcy is Chapter 13?

A chapter 13 bankruptcy is also called a wage earner's plan. It enables individuals with regular income to develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts. Under this chapter, debtors propose a repayment plan to make installments to creditors over three to five years.

What does a bankruptcy attorney ask you?

A bankruptcy attorney will ask you why you're considering filing for bankruptcy and determine whether filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will help you solve your financial problem.

Why do people show up in bankruptcy lawyers?

Most people show up in an attorney’s office because they need help with one of a small number of problems— and the attorney will be aware of this pattern. For instance, when a bankruptcy attorney asks you what prompted you to call, it’s likely that you’ll say that your debts are piling up and that the stress is becoming unbearable. But you could be facing one of the following situations, too, and if you are, the lawyer will want to know about it because it will require quick attention:

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Selecting an attorney

Choosing a trusted and skilled attorney is critical to the success of your bankruptcy case. You and your attorney will work together to restructure your finances and facilitate your fresh start.

Your bankruptcy attorney should possess the following attributes

So what are some of the characteristics of a good bankruptcy attorney? Well I’m about to tell you what to look out for.

Preparing for your initial appointment with your attorney

A bankruptcy case is part lawsuit, part financial audit. The debtor is asking the bankruptcy court to order creditors to accept payments over time, or in some cases to order the discharge of a debt without any payment.

The take home

Be completely prepared to gather as much of the documentation required of you by the bankruptcy court and use due diligence in researching an attorney who’s experienced enough to get your though your case as successfully as possible.

Can creditors violate automatic stay?

Most Credito rs Will Not Violate the Automatic Stay. Most creditors and most collection agencies and most people who play in the financial realm knows what bankruptcy automatic stay is and they take steps not to violate it.

Can you notify someone that you are in bankruptcy?

We can’t notify somebody that you’re in bankruptcy unless we have their address and so if it’s written down and if it involves their debt, they need to bring it as well as their tax returns and the last 60 days of pay stubs.

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Preparing For The Attorney’s Questions

  • Most people show up in an attorney’s office because they need help with one of a small number of problems—and the attorney will be aware of this pattern. For instance, when a bankruptcy attorney asks you what prompted you to call, it’s likely that you’ll say that your debts are piling up and that the stress is becoming unbearable. But you could be facing one of the following situati…
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Gathering Your Documents

  • Your bankruptcy petition cannot be completed without certain documents, so it’s a good idea to gather your paperwork together ahead of time and bring it to your appointment—especially if you need your bankruptcy completed quickly. Here’s your list: 1. two years of filed tax returns (the last two years that you filed) 2. seven months of bank statements and paycheck stubs 3. if you’re sel…
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Preparing Your Questions

  • It’s a good idea to write down any questions you might have and take the list to the meeting. Here are a few others to consider: 1. What bankruptcy chapter should I file? 2. Will filing for bankruptcy wipe out all of my debt? 3. Will I lose any money or property if I file? 4. Will I have a monthly payment plan, and if so, how much must I pay? 5. Who will prepare my petition and review it wit…
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Questions For Your Attorney

  1. Do you need any additional information from me?
  2. How long will it take to prepare and file my bankruptcy petition?
  3. Who should I speak with if I have a question?
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