What To Expect From Your First Appointment With A Bankruptcy Attorney
Posted on: 23 August 2016
In today's economy, many people struggle to pay their debt, keep the utilities paid, and keep food on the table. There certainly is not a lot of room in the budget for extras. As a result, it can be easy to fall behind in payments to creditors. Once a person misses one payment on one credit card or loan, it can snowball and turn into a list of seriously delinquent accounts. If you are in this position, you have options. One of the options available to you is filing bankruptcy. You may not feel great about this choice, but it is actually the best choice for many individuals. A bankruptcy filing can relieve your stress, wipe out your huge debt, and lift a heavy burden off your shoulders. When you schedule an appointment for a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney, you can expect the following at your initial appointment.
Assessment of Your Debts
Your bankruptcy attorney or assisting paralegal will sit down with you at your first consultation appointment and discuss all of your debt. Don't be shy or ashamed; they deal with these cases all day and are not here to judge you. Bring a comprehensive list of all your regular monthly bills, like utilities, to your first appointment. You should also bring a current statement from every credit card, mortgage loan, vehicle loan, student loan, signature loan, medical account and any other bills that you have to pay. This will help your attorney decide if your debt situation is dire enough to file bankruptcy.
Assessment of Your Income
You also need to give your attorney a clear picture of your income. Include income from wages, investment income, rental property, alimony, child support, student loans and grants and anything else you have. Don't try to conceal any income; this will all come out in the bankruptcy court, and your finances will be perused, so give your attorney a heads-up now so there are no problems later.
Plan for Resolution
Once you have given your bankruptcy attorney a clear picture of your financial situation, a plan will be developed for resolution. Most attorneys will file for bankruptcy protection right away to relieve your stress and stop collections efforts. This means that your phone will no longer be ringing with collectors trying to reach you. Once you file for bankruptcy, your case can take a while to adjudicate, but it is well worth it to be rid of the negativity that is holding you back from enjoying your life.
For more information on debt relief through bankruptcy, contact a lawyer like Dennis Lee Burman Attorney at Law.
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