What I Need From You

WI Bankruptcy Lawyer Cheslea A Whitley shares what is needed for the bankruptcy process...

The items below are required by the bankruptcy court and required for me to prepare your bankruptcy petition.

1. Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling Certificate. This must be obtained from an approved credit counseling agency. "Credit counseling" consists of either a phone conference, or an internet chat session.   The course will go over your expenses and budgeting. 
   
   Bankruptcy Credit Counseling:
• Hummingbird Credit Counseling Education Online only 1-800-645-4959
• Green Path, Inc. 866-332-8435
  
  
2. Six months paycheck stubs, or if self employed, six months of income records. If you do not have six months of paycheck stubs you may get a print out from your payroll office or Human Resources department. This office may obtain those records for you if you sign a release. If you're self-employed, you need to prepare month-by-month income and expense, or profit and loss, statements covering the last six months.
   
   
3. Copy of your last two year's federal and state income tax return. This must be a copy of your actual signed return, containing all W-2 forms, 1099 or 1098 forms, and anything else included in the return. Do not omit anything included in the actual filed tax return. This office may obtain those records for you if you sign a release.
   
   
4. Fill out the Client Questionnaire. (Click Here for Questionnaire). Make sure to read the questions on the worksheet carefully. Assets and property valuations should consist of what you can sell the items for, rather than replacement cost for a new item. Real estate values should consist of current fair market value. Current household living expenses should be based on what you are spending now, and what you will be spending in the near future.
   
   
5. List of debts. Include every debt you have, even if you owe it to a friend or relative. You can never leave a debt off your bankruptcy papers. Be sure to include the biggest debts you have, your mortgage and your car loans. You must include all debts, even the ones you will continue to pay. You can estimate the amount if necessary, but not on mortgages or car loans. It's a good idea to run a free credit report. AnnualCreditReport.com
   
   
6. Attorney fees. The law requires that you have a retainer agreement.