Before your attorney can advise you on debt relief options, they need to know about your financial situation.
The bankruptcy consultation gives you the chance to share your financial information and explain what led you to seek bankruptcy.
A consultation also lets you meet with an attorney to see if you like and can depend on them.
You’ll get the best advice if you prepare for your consultation ahead of time.
Although it’s not hard work to collect documents and prepare questions to ask an attorney, it does take time.
This page will explain how to prepare for a bankruptcy lawyer consultation, so you can get the most out of your meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact the bankruptcy attorneys at Blake Goodman, PC, Attorney today.
Questions You’ll be Asked at Your Bankruptcy Lawyer Consultation
When you visit our office in Honolulu, Kaneohe, Aiea, or Maui, one of our experienced bankruptcy attorneys will spend some time getting to know you.
They’ll ask you questions about your life and finances, such as:
- Are you married?
- Do you have kids?
- Are you behind on child support or spousal support (alimony) payments?
- How much money do you and your spouse make?
- What are your outstanding debts?
- Are you behind on payments?
- Are you facing eviction or foreclosure?
- Do you owe any back taxes?
- Do you own any assets? If yes, how much are they worth?
- Have you recently purchased, sold, or transferred any property?
- Has anyone served you with a lawsuit?
- What do you want to accomplish by filing for bankruptcy?
As your lawyer asks questions, you might feel embarrassed about facing bankruptcy. Understand that our bankruptcy lawyers are professionals dedicated to helping people get their lives back on track.
Your attorney should treat you with compassion during each step of your debt relief journey.
Bankruptcy Consultation Checklist: Documents to Bring
You should also bring some basic financial documents and information to your consultation, including:
- Proof of income, like bank statements and pay stubs;
- Tax returns from the last two years;
- A list of your debts, including mortgage and car loan statements;
- An estimate of your household expenses; and
- A list of your assets and how much they’re worth, including the value of your car, retirement and investment accounts, and any life insurance policies.
Bring a copy of your marriage settlement agreement if you are separated or divorced. If you’re facing foreclosure or legal judgment, bring the associated paperwork for us to review.
Bankruptcy Consultation Questions to Ask
While your attorney will provide plenty of information at your consultation, you’ll likely still have specific questions you want to ask. We recommend arriving with a list of questions so you don’t forget anything.
Here are some questions you should consider asking during your consultation:
- Which chapter of bankruptcy should I file?
- Will all my debt be forgiven if I file for bankruptcy?
- Will I be able to keep my house, car, and bank account?
- What are your fees?
- What do your fees cover?
- How long will it take to prepare and file my bankruptcy petition?
After the consultation, your attorney will take the information you provided and prepare your bankruptcy petition. They may also contact you after your consultation to gather any missing details.
Call Our Bankruptcy Lawyers for a Consultation Today
At Blake Goodman, PC, Attorney we have helped thousands of Hawaiians regain control of their finances. We offer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debt negotiation, and non-bankruptcy solutions.
Contact us by phone or online today to find out how we can help you.
Blake Goodman received his law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1989 and has been exclusively practicing bankruptcy-related law in Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii ever since. In the past, Attorney Goodman also worked as a Certified Public Accountant, receiving his license from the State of Maryland in 1988.
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