What to Bring to Your Bankruptcy Attorney Consultation

What is the most important document to bring for your new attorney’s review?

Once you have made the decision to pursue filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will need to select a potential attorney and schedule your first meeting. You might find your attorney through personal recommendations or online reviews. Your initial consultation will be important for you to affirm your choice of lawyer and for your attorney to review your case. In order to provide your Ohio bankruptcy lawyer with the information needed to determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the right option for you, you will want to bring several crucial documents to the meeting.

Documents Substantiating Your Debts

Some of the most important documents you will want to bring to your initial consultation are those that explain your debts. Your attorney will need to understand what debts you have and how much they amount to. Important debts that you may need to bring documentation on include: contracts for your mortgage or car loans and copies of your current mortgage and home deed, billing statements from your credit cards or medical bills, any judgments entered against you, and letters from collection agencies. Your attorney will also be able to review your credit report to ensure accounting of all of your debts.

Documents Showing Your Income

To understand whether you qualify to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will need to provide your attorney with proof of income. This might include copies of your tax returns, W-2s, or 1099s from the last two years. Bring as well your current pay stubs and evidence of any other income, like SSI or pension payouts. You should also bring copies of a recent bank statement.

Identification

In order to start preparing your case, your attorney will need proof of identification. This includes your driver’s license and Social Security Card. Bring these documents to the initial meeting to avoid any delays.

When you schedule your initial consultation, ask your new attorney for his or her specific list of the necessary documentation. The more you can bring with you to the meeting, the better able your attorney will be to review the case and get started assisting you through the bankruptcy process.