With over thirteen years of experience assisting Western Pennsylvania clients with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy needs, Gross & Patterson, LLC can answer any question you may have pertaining to personal bankruptcy. The following is a brief synopsis of what to expect.
Filing Bankruptcy
Prior to filing bankruptcy, a debtor is required to take a credit counseling class by an approved credit counseling provider. Filing bankruptcy requires a petition, which contains schedules listing debts, assets, expenses, and income. An individual is assigned to administer your case, and this person is called a trustee. About a month after filing bankruptcy, there will be a meeting of creditors where the trustee reviews your case and asks basic questions regarding your petition. Filing bankruptcy under the Chapter 13 guidelines requires the debtor to file a plan in which he or she proposes a repayment schedule for his or her debts. At the meeting of creditors, the trustee will review the proposed plan and may either approve the plan or propose changes.
Generally, there are two questions we try to answer during the initial consultation with a client who is considering filing bankruptcy.
- Whether the client should actually consider filing bankruptcy. If that person has small debt, or a fundamentally solvent financial situation, he or she may not need to file bankruptcy.
- If filing bankruptcy is the best option, whether that person should file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There are attributes and drawbacks to both bankruptcy options.
If you and our attorneys determine that filing bankruptcy is the best option for you, we will walk you through the process. However, when you come to see us, it will be helpful if you have the following:
- Tax Returns for the past two years
- 6 months of Payment Stubs or proof of income
- List of Monthly Expenses
- Mortgage Statements, If Any
- Copies of All Bills
- Credit Card Statements
- Car Payments
- Pending Judgments or Lawsuits
- Any Other Financial Records
If you are being sued, our bankruptcy lawyers will need to know detailed information pertaining to the lawsuit. We may be able to prevent the entry of a default judgment or file an emergency petition to postpone any pending court action. In addition, if you do not have some of the above required information, we have ability to obtain it through credit checks.
For many people, bankruptcy is the best option to stop harassing telephone calls and get creditor relief. If you think filing bankruptcy sounds like a valid solution for you, contact us today to schedule a FREE initial consultation. Telephone consultations are also available.
Click here to view a list of common questions.
