Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in 7 Steps: Gather, Review, and Sign

For most the first step is the hardest – making the decision to look into bankruptcy and actually making an appointment and meeting with your bankruptcy lawyer.  Now that you are moving forward the real work begins.  The documents that are filed in your bankruptcy case are anywhere from 45 up to 60 pages long!  The bankruptcy court requires a large amount of information on your income, debts, monthly expenses, and financial transactions over the last two years.  And I am going to need to provide me with all of that information.

What Documents Will I Need to Provide?

At the initial bankruptcy consultation I provide all clients with a checklist of what documents I will need.  These include tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, any income information, copies of titles to vehicles, life insurance documents, information on your debts, etc.  Once you have gathered these together I will go through them and begin putting together your bankruptcy documents.

What Other Information Do I need to Provide?

To fully complete your bankruptcy documents I will need information on your monthly budget, financial transactions (have you sold anything in the last two years?), and specific debt information.  I use a secure online service that allows you to log in and complete provide this information at your own pace.

Review & Sign Your Bankruptcy Documents

Once you have provided me with all the needed information and documentation I will prepare the bankruptcy petition and schedules that will be filed with the bankruptcy court.  Before we can actually file your case we will set up an appointment for you to come into my office so we can review your documents in detail.  We review each page to make sure that all of the information we are providing the bankruptcy court is accurate.  Once we are satisfied that the information is accurate you will sign the documents.  It is important to understand that you sign your bankruptcy documents under penalty of perjury.  They must be accurate!

Now, at this stage you are ready to file your bankruptcy case.  Next step, filing day.