Why we need so much documentation for a Bankruptcy Consultation

Bankruptcy can be a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate. I like to illustrate the relief afforded to my clients who file bankruptcy, that it’s as if their debts were thrown “as far as the east is from the west” (to borrow a phrase from Scripture). But this is the deal; you have to be honest. In order to be honest, you have to be thorough. You need to disclose; disclose; disclose. Bankruptcy affords relief to the “honest and unfortunate debtor.”  Which is why we, at The Law Office of Eric Fox, want to make sure we have all the documentation we request before we can properly analyze a person’s situation; because the memory of human beings is fallible. We all make mistakes. We forgot things; we aren’t computers, and even computers mess up! So we have a system for gathering documentation to do our upmost to make sure that important information does “not fall between the cracks.”

We want all the debt statements you have received from your creditors- don’t throw them away unless you have a more up to date version. Also, get at least one credit report to make sure there is not something out there that either you forgot about, or perhaps even don’t know about. Also, we need your W2’s for the last 2 years, your last filed tax return, and your paystubs for the last 7 months. Perhaps some of these things don’t apply for you; for example, if you haven’t worked in the last 2 years, you won’t have W2’s or paystubs, or you haven’t filed a tax return in a long time (e.g. If you’re not required to file a tax return because you live on your Social Security). But if it applies to you, we need it.  Also, we will need you to list all your property-everything you own in the Universe (within reason; not individual articles of clothing or your toothbrush). Don’t worry; no one is going to take anything away as most property will be what we call “Exempt.” But we need to list every household appliance, vehicle, electronics, furniture or furniture set, and disclose them with garage sale values.

So please gather your documents, fill out the forms, and then bring us the documents for the free consultation. If you need help on filling out forms or have questions about what applies to you, we can help. If you have trouble getting your credit report(s), we can help. I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and we can trouble shoot whatever problem you are having. Let us help you get this valuable peace of mind that can come to you with a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy can’t solve all your problems, but it can certainly narrow them down so you can better tackle the more important ones.