The Chapter 7 bankruptcy process is comprised of necessary steps that no one debtor is exempt from. Continue reading to learn the established steps of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and how an experienced Rockland County bankruptcy attorney at The Law Offices of Allen A. Kolber, Esq. can walk you through each one.
What are the established steps of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Before starting the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process, there are some initiatives you should preemptively take. Namely, you should conduct your own research on whether this is the best move for you to take; or, whether you even qualify to make this move. With this, you should catalog all your outstanding debts and look into whether they qualify for discharge in bankruptcy. Similarly, you should take inventory of all your assets and see whether you can keep them in bankruptcy. If you still conclude that a bankruptcy declaration is worth it, then you may continue with the following steps:
- Gather your necessary financial documents.
- Attend a mandatory credit counseling course.
- Fill out and file your Chapter 7 bankruptcy paperwork.
- Turn over your financial documents to the New York bankruptcy court.
- Attend a mandatory section 341 creditor’s meeting.
- Earn a certificate of completion from a mandatory debtor’s education course.
Am I able to go through these steps without legal representation?
Though every debtor must undergo the same steps when filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, every debtor’s case is ultimately different. In other words, following the steps mentioned above may not be as simple as you initially assume. For this reason alone, we recommend that you do go through these steps with proper legal representation. Without further ado, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may assist you in the following ways:
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you decipher whether you are better suited for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing.
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you determine when is the best time to fill out and file your bankruptcy paperwork.
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you eliminate the debts you no longer want under your immediate responsibility.
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you know when to stop paying bills that are eliminated during your proceedings.
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you keep the assets that you have worked so hard to earn in the first place.
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you avoid any accidental fraudulent activities during your proceedings.
- A Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney may help you avoid the collection activities of creditors during your proceedings.
You may be intimidated by the bankruptcy proceedings that lie ahead of you. But one way to alleviate some of this worry is to have a skilled Rockland County bankruptcy attorney stand by your side throughout. Contact The Law Offices of Allen A. Kolber, Esq. at your earliest possible convenience.