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Are you thinking about filing for bankruptcy? If so, you might be lining up an initial consultation with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. Here’s what you can bring to that meeting to help them better understand your situation so that they can give you advice tailored to your unique situation.
What Information Do I Need to Bring to an Initial Legal Consultation?
Preparing for a consultation means taking the time to gather the necessary documentation and paperwork to give your attorney the most accurate picture of your situation so they can advise you of your legal options. Here are a few items to consider bringing with you:
- Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or social security card
- Tax returns from at least the last two years
- Six months of bank statements
- Six months of paystubs and income documentation
- Debt statements such as loans, mortgages, car payments, and credit card statements
- Statements from other assets, such as investment or retirement accounts
- Foreclosure paperwork
- Demand letters from creditors
- Divorce paperwork is applicable
In addition to physical documentation of your financial situation, you will also want to prepare yourself for the questions an attorney may ask you. Here are some of the questions you should be prepared to answer honestly:
- Your marital status
- If you have children, how many
- Whether you and your spouse are married
- Status of your marital separation agreement
- Whether you own a business
- The value of your current assets
- If you have gained or transferred any property or assets
- Whether you have received an inheritance or have other sources of income
- Whether you owe taxes, alimony, or child support
- Whether a creditor has previously sued you or if you have a judgment against you
- What do your financial goals include
- Why are you considering bankruptcy
Questions to Ask Your Prospective Lawyer
Your initial consultation is also your chance to ask your prospective attorney about what you can expect during the bankruptcy process. Here are some questions that might be helpful:
- What are my options for bankruptcy? (Chapter 7, Chapter 13, etc.)
- Based on my financial situation, which type of bankruptcy do you recommend?
- What are the consequences of filing for bankruptcy?
- What will the process of filing for bankruptcy involve?
- How long will the entire bankruptcy process take?
- Will I need to go to court, and if so, what should I expect?
- What are your fees, and what do they cover?
- Can you walk me through your experience with cases similar to mine?
- What should I do to prepare for filing for bankruptcy?
- How do you communicate updates and developments in my case?
Having an open and honest conversation with an attorney is the best way to learn about your legal options and your path to regaining financial stability. Hiding information from your attorney does help. During the first meeting, you want your attorney to have the most precise picture of your situation so they can craft a strategy that gives you the best chance of resolving your financial matters.
Bring with you to your consultation a notebook and pen so you can take notes during your conversation. There may be such an influx of information to discuss that keeping everything straight after the fact may be challenging. Taking notes is the best way to organize your thoughts and information from the attorney so you can review it later. It would help if you also came prepared with a list of questions for the attorney. In the heat of the movement, you may forget to bring up your most pressing needs and concerns. Write down a list of questions you want to review and bring them to discuss during the consultation.
Contact a Dallas, Texas, Bankruptcy Lawyer Now
The Dallas bankruptcy lawyers with Toronjo & Prosser Law prioritize your needs. That means carefully reviewing your situation and crafting a comprehensive and proactive plan to get your life back on track. If you are struggling financially and wondering if bankruptcy is the right option for you, contact our office today about an initial consultation.