What Information Does My Lincolnwood Bankruptcy Attorney Need?

The first thing to do is make an appointment with your Lincolnwood bankruptcy attorney and go through the interview process.  In my office, we have a bankruptcy questionnaire which we ask clients to complete and we go over with them in a one on one consultation.  

The questionnaire contains all of the information that we need to prepare your bankruptcy case.  The questionnaire will include what type of property you own, including real estate and vehicles.  What your income is and what source it’s from.  What you spend per month on everything from rent to food to clothing to gas to transportation.  We will also want to know about your statement of financial affairs which includes what you have made in the last three years, whether or not you are being sued, whether or not you have owned a business in the last four years, whether or not you have given away or sold anything in the last four years.  Additionally, we want to know if you have any IRS debt; if you have any code debtors, if you have any student loans as well as any other debts that you might have.  If after our meeting, you feel you do not have enough information or you need to provide more information, then we can set up a second meeting whereby you will come in with additional documentation. 

The best thing to do, though, is to get your first consultation under way so that you are aware of your rights, you are aware of the process and you are aware of what your attorney needs to help you get out of debt either under Chapter 7 or reorganize under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.  The biggest mistake that people make is they don’t make the first appointment.  People put it off, they decide they can maybe do it on their own and then several months or several years later, they come back into my office and they say I should have come here sooner.  I meant to come here sooner.  I put it off; I thought I could handle it.  And I am so deep in debt and I really need your help, let’s file a bankruptcy now and get it done.