What information is needed to file for bankruptcy?

  1. Last two years of tax returns – 2021 and 2022 State and Federal.
  2. Last 6 months of paycheck stubs. If you are married but filing as an individual, you must also turn-over copies of your spouse’s paycheck stubs if you are living together. Your spouse’s name will not appear on the petition.
    1. If you are self-employed, I will need profit and loss statements for the last 12 months.
  3. Copies of all correspondence related to your debts including collection letters, summons and complaints, and writs of garnishment.
  4. Complete credit counseling online at bothcourses.com. For more information about credit counseling course, read the Ultimate Guide to Credit Counseling.
  5. If applicable, a copy of your most recent mortgage and/or auto loan statement.
  6. If you are leasing a property you own to someone else, provide an accounting of all rental payments received and all expenses incurred related to the rental property.
  7. Signed copy of the bankruptcy fee agreement that will be sent to you via AdobeSign
  8. If applicable, copies of your retirement account statements. With few exceptions, all retirement accounts are exempt (protected from turn-over).
  9. Government issued picture ID and Social Security Card or W2 with full social.
  10. We will use the documents and a Zoom interview to prepare your petition, schedules and other related bankruptcy documents for filing with the bankruptcy court.
  11. In some cases, additional information may be required. This is especially true of self-employed clients who at a minimum must provide Profit and Loss statements for each of the previous 12 months.

You must review and sign the documents before filing.

If you are a consumer who is overburdened with debt, you may want to consider filing for personal bankruptcy. A Bankruptcy lawyer will process the bankruptcy petition (which is at least 45 pages long), calculations, and schedules for you, and take the necessary precautions to ensure all of your creditors receive notice of your bankruptcy petition. Don’t take the chance that one or more of your debts will not be discharged by hiring a petition preparer or by going it alone. An attorney will ensure that you are provided the quality legal advice and representation you need to get a fresh start.

I charge a reasonable fixed legal fee to represent and prepare my client’s chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions. The base fee includes full representation through the order of discharge. In most cases, the first meeting of creditors is the only court appearance a client will make before receiving their bankruptcy debt discharge. The court charges an additional filing fee.