If you’re considering a bankruptcy filing, but aren’t sure whether it’s the best option for you, here are three tips for growing a successful case.
1 – Review Your Circumstances With An Experienced Attorney
By reviewing your circumstances with an experienced attorney you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about whether bankruptcy is right for you. Oftentimes bankruptcy might be a great option, but that’s not always the case. Most bankruptcy cases are routine, but certainly not all. Just because someone you know had a good (or bad) experience with a bankruptcy case, that doesn’t mean the same will be true for you.
2 – Be Honest & Ask Questions
The vast majority of work in a typical Chapter 7 case is done before the case is filed. You will need to provide your attorney with lots of documents and information. This requires open and honest communication about all aspects of your circumstances, even if there’s something your concerned or embarrassed about. Similarly, it is important to ask your attorney questions if you don’t understand something, or there is anything you’re concerned about.
3 – Stay Engaged
Once a bankruptcy case is filed, there is often not much to do. You’ll have a trustee meeting scheduled about a month after filing, and a second credit course to complete (online or over the phone), but in most Chapter 7 case that’s it. In a Chapter 13 case, you’ll start making the required plan payments. But just because there’s not much for you to do doesn’t mean that the nothing is happening in the case. The court will send you copies of any order entered in the case. Open everything and read it. If you don’t understand something, ask your attorney about it.
Additionally, you attorney should know about any major changes in your circumstances, such as changes to your income, if you move, if you are entitled to an inheritance, or if you need to obtain credit, as each of these might impact your case.
Brine Consumer Law is Worcester’s only law firm exclusively dedicated to fighting consumer debt in all three key areas: bankruptcy, debt defense lawsuits, and collection violations. Helping people fight debt and debt-related problems is all we do. Contact us today to discuss your options.