Tips for a Successful Case
What to do before Filing Bankruptcy
Be honest with your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney. We cannot properly assess your situation unless you are completely honest and open about all facts related to your assets, debts and income.
Disclose all aspects of your situation. Do not assume something is unimportant. Many legal issues turn on small details so those must be disclosed to us.
Ask your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney questions. We are here and available to answer your questions.
Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney will request that you provide many different documents during the course of your case. Turn those documents over promptly and in an organized fashion. This helps your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney complete your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing accurately and efficiently.
What Not to do before Filing Bankruptcy
Incur additional credit card debt or borrowing more money. Under the laws that govern your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, some debts incurred in anticipation of filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy may be non-dischargeable. In other words, you could emerge from your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy still owing this newly acquired debt.
Loan or give money to friends or family. Under the laws that govern your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, under certain circumstances these loans can be undone by the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee with the money being turned over to his office for distribution to your creditors.
Give or sell property to others without consulting your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy first. Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition will disclose all sales or gifts during the period immediately preceding your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing. The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee may view these transactions as an attempt to hide or conceal assets. This may bring unwanted complications to your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Pay money to family or friends. Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition will disclose all payments made to family or close associates during the period immediately preceding your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing. The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee may view these transactions as an attempt to hide or conceal assets. This may bring unwanted complications to your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Transfer title to automobiles/boats/motorcycles. Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition will disclose all title transfers during the period immediately preceding your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing. The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee may view these transactions as an attempt to hide or conceal assets. This may bring unwanted complications to your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Leave assets off of the paperwork you received from your bankruptcy attorney. Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is a federal proceeding. The laws that govern your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy require complete disclosure of all assets. Failure to do so can, under some circumstances, lead to investigation for criminal wrongdoing.
Leave creditors off of your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition because you want to “save” a credit card. Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is a federal proceeding. The laws that govern your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy require complete disclosure of all creditors.