YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION
For clients interesting in finding solutions to their debt problems, there are five important questions I will need answers to in our first meeting:
- What types of debts are causing the most trouble?
- How were the debts incurred and are they secured?
- What significant assets does the client have?
- How much income does the debtor have available which is not committed to unavoidable expenses?
- How imminent is creditor action which may limit the client's options?
With the answers to these questions, we can begin to explore the best solutions for your unique situation.
The following is a list of documents that I will need to develop a clear picture of your individual financial situation:
(a) Picture identification card and Social Security card or other document containing your social security number;
(b) Deeds and mortgages on your house or other real estate;
(c) Any insurance policies;
(d) Any papers relating to past bankruptcies you or your spouse have filed or that concerned any of your property, including chapter 13 cases;
(e) Copies of your tax returns for the past four years (I can help you get these from the IRS if you don't have them);
(f) Copies of your pay check stubs for the last sixty days (and you should keep all pay stubs you receive until your bankruptcy case is over) and any proof of your income and your spouse's income for the past six months (such as pay stubs for the entire period, pay stubs which list year-to-date income, or W-2 statements);
(g) Copies of your last several statements for each bank, credit union, and investment or
brokerage account, and copies of statements for any retirement or savings accounts, including IRAs, Roth IRAs, education IRAs, 401(k)s, tuition credit programs and medical savings plans (and you should keep the first bank statement you receive after your case is filed as we may need to provide it to the trustee);
(h) Legal papers, lawsuits, eviction notices, divorce papers, separation agreements, alimony orders, and child support orders;
(i) Any appraisals or tax assessment papers;
(j) Any other papers you have concerning any of your debts;
(k) Any lease or installment sale ("lease purchase" or "rent-to-own") agreements for housing (apartment, house, mobile home) or other property (cars, televisions, etc.) that you have signed and that are still in effect or not fully paid; and
(l) Any documents showing that someone else regularly contributes to your household expenses.
Under the current Bankruptcy Code, I am classified as a debt relief agency. I help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
