After contacting us, the road to feeling better about your situation is not as complicated as you might think.  We will first have a free consultation either in person, by phone or video conference.  After discussing your situation and goals, if you decide to hire us, we will need to get a look at the paperwork behind your financial situation (all of your bills).  At this point, we will also begin a deeper investigation into your situation, including asking a lot of questions.  We will also ask for the following items: 

1. Most recent copy of all of your bills.
2. Copy of Photo ID.
3. Copy of Social Security Card.
4. Copies of the last 2 years of tax returns.
5. Copies of proof of income for the past 6 months. (paystubs, unemployments income, disability income, social security income, etc.)
6. Copies of proof of value of any real estate you may own.  (appraisal or comparative market analysis).
7. Copies of most recent bank statements for all bank accounts.
8. Copies of most recent credit report. (you can obtain one for free once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com).

The above items are required to prepare your petition.

Most people tell us that they immediately feel better after handing the above items over to us.  There is something about handing everything over to your trusted advisors that puts people at ease.

With these items in hand we will begin preparing your petition for Bankruptcy Relief.  You will have to attend an approved credit counseling class.  This class is mandatory.  Here is a list of Approved Credit Counseling Agencies.

After completing the counseling course, we will review a draft of your petition.  If all of the information is correct and accurate, you will sign the signature pages and your petition will be sent to the court for filing.

Once received, the court will assign a Trustee to oversee your case and a court date of sorts called a 341 meeting of the creditors.  Your appearance is required at this meeting, but don't worry, a lawyer will be present to guide you.  During the 341 meeting, a Bankruptcy Trustee will interview you and ask you questions about your petition to determine whether or not you have any assets to be seized, liquidated and distributed to your creditors.  The good news is that we will have already gone over it with you so many times, all the questions will be familiar.  This court date is usually the only court date that our clients are required to attend.  If all goes well, the trustee will issue a "No Asset" finding, and send you on your way.

After the 341 meeting you will need to complete an additional credit counseling course regarding financial management prior to receiving a discharge of your eligible debts from the court.

If the Trustee issued a "No Asset" finding, and you have completed all of the above steps, the Court will enter an Order discharging all of your eligible debts.

Please be advised:  The above information represents an ideal, no problem example.  Because every case is different, your case may or may not have the same result.