CONSULTATION FEE: We charge $200 for our first meeting, due before the meeting begins. Your first meeting is with the Bankruptcy Pro, not a paralegal. At the first meeting we will give you basic information about bankruptcy law, analyze your financial situation to determine your need and eligibility for bankruptcy relief, and tell you about other alternatives. Bankruptcy is not right for everyone. We will help you decide if bankruptcy is right for you.
Our advice is based on the information you give us. Please make it as complete and accurate as possible. Please bring (or send in advance) as many of the items on this list as possible.
For Individual Clients
IDENTIFICATION. The new bankruptcy law requires you to prove your identity. Bring a government issued picture ID (driving license, ID card, Military ID, Passport), and your social security card (or something sent to you by the Social Security Administration which has both your name and social security number printed on it).
PROOF OF INCOME. We must figure out how much money you have each month (on average) to pay your household bills. Bring pay-stubs for the last 7 months (if you are married, bring pay-stubs for both spouses even if only one will be filing). Bring bank statements for ALL ACCOUNTS (such as checking, savings, money market, Credit Union, Club, Certificate of Deposit) for the last 7 months. If someone pays you or gives you money which you use to help pay household bills (such as support payments or government benefits you receive), we need to know who is paying it, why and how much you get.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS. Bring copies of your returns for the last 4 years. If you do not have them, we can get copies from the IRS. If you did not file them, bring the MOST RECENT return you did file and start making plans to have the missing returns done. If you need help to prepare those returns, we can recommend someone.
TAX NOTICES. Bring any notices you have received from any tax agency such as the IRS, Franchise Tax Board, Employment Development Department, County or City.
HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES. Prepare a detailed list of household expenses. If you do not have at least 25 items on the list, it is not detailed enough. Use your checkbook register to help you. Here are some examples to get you started (this list is NOT complete): rent or mortgage, equity lines of credit, HOA dues, home repairs/maintenance, gardening, pool maintenance, property taxes, house/renter insurance, water, electricity, gas, sewer, trash, cable TV, internet access, furniture loans, food, restaurant food, clothing, laundry and dry cleaning, car payments, car repairs/maintenance, car insurance, gasoline, car registration fees, parking fees, health insurance, unreimbursed charges for medical/dental/vision/RX care, income taxes, union dues, other job related expenses, retirement contribution, charity contributions, school tuition, school books/supplies, school lab fees, other school expenses, child care, child/spousal support, clubs, recreation, child enrichment expenses, expenses for supporting a needy family member, books and magazines, life insurance, other premiums, bank charges, storage locker fees and anything else you regularly pay.
CREDIT REPORT. Bring a current credit report. Under Federal law, you are entitled to receive one free report each year from each credit reporting agency. There are 3 major agencies. You can get your free 3-agency report either on line by going to www.annualcreditreport.com or toll free by phone at 1-877-322-8228.
LIST OF DEBTS. Please make a list of all your debts. The list should include names, addresses, account numbers, amounts owed, a very brief description of the reason for the debt, the date when the debt arose or the account was last used. If you have received a cash advance made a balance transfer for the account in the last 6 months, please make a note on the list. If you have been contacted by more than one person about a debt, please include the same information for all contacts. Here are some examples of debts (this list is NOT complete): mortgage, lease, equity line of credit, past-due HOA dues, past-due taxes, car loans, credit cards, store charge accounts, bank loans or debts, personal property loans (like furniture, electronics, jewelry), medical or legal debts, pawn shop loans, loans from friends or family, student loans, judgments, business debts, lawsuits or possible lawsuits against you, gambling debts and past-due support payments.
LAWSUIT INFORMATION. Bring some Court document (which shows the case name, case number, Court name, Court address and people involved) for ALL legal matters in which you are involved. Here are some examples (this list is NOT complete): divorce cases, auto accident cases, workers compensation cases, small claims cases, business cases, personal injury cases, malpractice cases, probate cases and intellectual property cases. If you want to sue someone but have not done it yet, please provide some background information about why you want to sue.
LIST OF PROPERTY. Make a list of everything you own which has a value of more than $250. We need you to provide an estimate of value for each item you list. Start with land and buildings, then think about cars, other things with motors, furniture, musical instruments, electronic equipment, retirement accounts, bank accounts which list your social security number or which give you the right to withdraw money, stocks, bonds, life insurance, collections, antiques, artwork, furs, jewelry, copyrights, patents, trademarks, lawsuits (or possible lawsuits) against others, loans you made to others, money owed to you for any reason (such as past due support, work you did, something you sold, injuries you suffered), time shares, guns, sports equipment, books, frequent flyer miles, inheritances, trusts and anything else of value. Remember that we can probably help you keep those items you disclose, and that hiding assets during bankruptcy is a Federal crime which can lead to time in prison. We need a copy of the most recent deed for any land you own.
TRANSFERS. Make a list of everything you have given away for free or sold for less than real value within the last 5 years. Include the name of the person who got the item or who has it now. Do NOT include small items of less than $200.
INSURANCE DOCUMENTS. Bring copies of your policies for property insurance, car insurance, and life insurance.
TRUST DOCUMENTS. Bring copies of any Trusts.
MARITAL OR DIVORCE DOCUMENTS. Bring copies of any Agreement, Divorce Judgment or Divorce Court orders which are still effective. This includes any pre-nuptial (pre-marital) Agreements and any post-nuptial (post-marital) Agreements. If you are required to pay support, please include information about whether you are current or behind on your payments. If you are behind, tell us how far behind.
PRIOR BANKRUPTCY DOCUMENTS. Bring at least the case name and case number for any prior bankruptcy if: you have ever filed bankruptcy before; your spouse has ever filed bankruptcy before; or you were involved in the management of any company which filed bankruptcy before. If you have any Court documents from that bankruptcy case, bring them as well.
If You Own or Operate a Business
In addition to the items listed above for Individual Clients, please bring the following items:
DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS. Provide a brief description of the business. How long have you been in business? What does the business sell? Do you have partners? What is the name of the business? Is it a corporation? Does the business operate on a calendar year or a fiscal year?
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Bring an Income Statement (Profit & Loss Statement) and a Balance Sheet for: (a) the most recent complete year; (b) the current year to date; and (c) the most recent month for which you have the information.
RECEIVABLES AND PAYABLES. Bring an aged list of Receivables and Payables. Include addresses if possible.
TAX NOTICES. Bring any tax notices for payroll, sales, property or other taxes.
