Your First Meeting With a Bankruptcy Attorney

WHAT TO BRING

You are the most important thing at the initial bankruptcy meeting but the meeting will be much more fruitful if you are armed with certain information and documents.  The Bankruptcy Questionnaire in the Resources tab will give you a very detailed picture of the information we will need and a hard copy will be provided to you at the initial meeting.  For now you can just look over the questionnaire and please note that this document is not filed with the Bankruptcy Court rather it is simply used to help prepare your Bankruptcy Petition.  

Below are some things that we will need to know either at the first meeting or as soon also possible in the the bankruptcy filing process:

• How much and what kinds of debt you have
• Your income
• Your assets
• Documentation of your income
• Proof of identify, such as a drivers license, state ID, passport, military ID, etc.

ABOUT YOUR DEBTS

Information about your debts is one of the most important things we need.  We need to talk about all of your debts including secured debts (debts backed by collateral like your home and your car), and unsecured debts like credit card bills, medical bills, judgments, and personal loans.  We also need to look at any domestic support obligations like child support and alimony.  

Please bring in whatever information you have to the first meeting, including current amounts owed, monthly payments you are making, and whether you are behind on any of these payments.

ABOUT YOUR ASSETS

We will have to list all of your assets in the Bankruptcy Petition.  The good news is that we don't have to list every knife and fork separately but rather we can fit many of your assets into groupings or categories.  

You can take a look at the Bankruptcy Questionnaire in the Resources tab to get an idea of how your assets will be listed in the petition, but generally we need to know about your cars, your home and any other real property you own, your personal property, any businesses you own, your bank accounts, your retirement accounts, and any investments.  We also need to know about any money that is owed to you by someone else.  

If you have too many assets the Bankruptcy Court will want to use those assets to pay back your creditors.  Fortunately most if not all of your assets can usually be protected in a bankruptcy by using state law exemptions available to you.  

REMEMBER

Even though the bankruptcy process is stressful, and complicated, I am here to help you through all of this and make it as stress free as possible.  

Let me help you today.  To schedule a meeting please call 251-928-5595 or use the Contact tab above to send me a message.  Thank you.