What to expect from your initial consultation.
At the Law Offices of Tobias M. Lester your initial consultation will last approximately one hour. The purpose of the meeting is to determine whether bankruptcy is right for you. You will meet with your personal attorney who will handle your case through all stages. We ask you to complete a short form 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time to provide us with the necessary information for your specific situation. This allows us to focus our attention on information evaluation instead of information gathering, giving you the evaluation you need to determine if bankruptcy is your best option. We have your best interests in mind, so if we determine bankruptcy will not serve you, we’ll say so. However, if bankruptcy is in your best interest, we will explain the process from start to finish, which Chapter is applicable to your situation, what debts are dischargeable, costs associated with preparing and filing the petition, and provide post-bankruptcy resources to help protect your new start.
How to prepare for your consultation.
An income analysis is necessary to accurately determine your financial situation and is required by the new bankruptcy laws. The more information you provide the more useful and applicable the evaluation will be AND you will need it eventually if you decide to file for bankruptcy.
We ask that you bring as much as you can of the following to your meeting:
- Paystubs for the past 6 months
- Car & Home/land Values (see our Resources Additional Links page for assistance)
- List of Debts: including credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, car loans/leases, mortgages, etc.
- List of monthly expenses
- Legal Documents: including separation agreements, foreclosure papers, lawsuits, judgments, etc.
- Last two years of tax returns
And, if you own a business:
- Current profit and loss statement
- Current balance sheet statement
- Current Business tax return if separate from personal tax return
- Business lease information on property or equipment
Lastly:
- Any questions you have regarding bankruptcy
If you are unable to keep your appointment, for any reason, please let us know at least 2 hours before your scheduled time and we will be happy to reschedule.
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