What to Expect During Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case
- At the free initial consultation, one of our bankruptcy attorneys will meet with you to discuss all facets of your financial life, including the type and amount of debt which motivated you to contact us.
- At the end of the initial consultation, you will receive a packet of information to complete and return to us, which will allow us to prepare your bankruptcy case. The packet includes: a disclosure explaining how bankruptcy works; a list of approved credit counseling agencies; and a 26-page questionnaire.
- As you prepare your questionnaire, you should also make copies of the following information:
- 6 months worth of household income statements (pay stubs; support payments; etc.) for each debtor;
- Copies of your federal tax return for the last 2 years in which you actually filed a return;
- A copy of a credit report for each debtor, which can be obtained at www.annualcreditreport.com;
- A copy of the credit counseling certificate issued to each debtor.
- After you return these materials to our offices, we will prepare your filing, and e-mail or send the same to you for review prior to filing.
- Once we file your case, you will receive confirmation, both from our office and the office of the Chapter 7 trustee assigned to your case, of your case number and the date of your 341 meeting of creditors (approximately 6 weeks after filing).
- One of our attorneys will accompany you to your 341 meeting of creditors, which is conducted by the Chapter 7 trustee at 6305 Ivy Lane in Greenbelt, Maryland. The meeting is purely informational, but provides an opportunity for the trustee and your creditors to question you under oath about your case. No decisions are made at the 341 meeting of creditors.
- If you have decided to reaffirm any secured personal property (car loans, boat loans), we will need to submit a reaffirmation agreement immediately after the 341 meeting.
- Approximately 6-8 weeks after your 341 meeting, if no party has filed an objection, you will receive a discharge order forgiving your unsecured debts, and your case will be closed shortly thereafter.
