Please read the following information as required by 11 USC 527 before continuing.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER.
If you decide to seek bankruptcy relief, you can represent yourself, you can hire an attorney to represent you, or you can get help in some localities from a bankruptcy petition preparer who is not an attorney.
THE LAW REQUIRES AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER TO GIVE YOU A WRITTEN CONTRACT SPECIFYING WHAT THE ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER WILL DO FOR YOU AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. Ask to see the contract before you hire anyone.
The following information helps you understand what must be done in a routine bankruptcy case to help you evaluate how much service you need. Although bankruptcy can be complex, many cases are routine. Before filing a bankruptcy case, either you or your attorney should analyze your eligibility for different forms of debt relief available under the Bankruptcy Code and which form of relief is most likely to be beneficial for you. Be sure you understand the relief you can obtain and its limitations. To file a bankruptcy case, documents called a Petition, Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs, as well as in some cases a Statement of Intentions need to be prepared correctly and filed with the bankruptcy court. You will have to pay a filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once your case starts, you will have to attend the required first meeting of creditors where you may be questioned by a court official called a “trustee” and by creditors.
If you choose to file a Chapter 7 case, you may be asked by a creditor to reaffirm a debt. You may want help deciding whether to do so. A creditor is not permitted to coerce you into reaffirming your debts.
If you choose to file a Chapter 13 case in which you repay your creditors what you can afford over 3 to 5 years, you may also want help with preparing your Chapter 13 Plan and with the confirmation hearing on your plan which will be before a bankruptcy judge.
If you select another type of relief under the Bankruptcy Code other than Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you will want to find out what should be done from someone familiar with that type of relief.
Your bankruptcy case may also involve litigation. You are generally permitted to represent yourself in litigation in Bankruptcy Court, but only attorneys, not bankruptcy petition preparers, can give you legal advice.
Click below for printable forms. (After printing, fill out all pages and bring the completed forms with you to your appointment.)
Form 1 – Budget Form 2 – Creditors
It is important that you bring with you the following items.
For general information about Chapter 7, » click here
For general information about Chapter 13, » click here
For important issues » click here
For a credit report » click here
Currently the filing fees for a Ch 13 are $313.
Currently the filing fees for a Ch 7 are $338.
At the conclusion of your initial consultation, we will give you a contract explaining which Chapter we think you should file, and what our fees will be.
In addition to court costs and attorney fees, you will be required to take two classes. We recommend Consumer Credit Counseling Service for in person/telephone class. Currently they charge $45.00 for a single filer and $65.00 for joint filers for the pre-bankruptcy class. The post-bankruptcy cost $40.00 for single filers and $60.00 for joint filers. For online, we recommend DebtorCC.org. Currently they charge $19.95 for the pre-bankruptcy class, and $15.95 for the post bankruptcy class. We can give you more information about this class at your initial consultation.