If you get the Ok for a 7?

[kathy09]

If your Lawer tells you that he thinks everything looks fine and you should be able to file a ch 7 is this pretty well the way it will go?

[HHM]

For the most part, yes.

If there were any doubts or if you were borderline, your attorney would (should) let you know.

Now, the caveat being, is this discussion you had with this attorney before or after you submitted all your documentation?

[kathy09]

We haven't submitted anything yet. We have an appointment the 11th of May I'm just really worried about the whole thing and was wondering if we would know pretty well right off if we would be able to do a 7.

[HHM]

First, you need to walk into the consultation "knowing" your gross (total) annual income (before taxes and other deductions). At the consultation, about all that can be said is whether you are above or below median income for your state. If you are below, then presumably you would be a chapter 7 and can probably take that to the bank. If you are within a few thousand dollars or are over the median income, then you will need to move forward and have the attorney begin working your case (e.g. hire the attorney) to determine what option best suits your situation.

[btbeme]

My suggestion

If you would like the meeting to be as informative and complete as possible, I recommend you gather the following info:

- Last 2 federal tax returns (or last two years W-2s)
- Last two paycheck stubs for all filers
- Summary of credit card debt
- Summary of auto debts (latest loan statements)
- List of vehicle(s) owned
- Latest mortgage statement
- list of any other monetary assets (bank accounts, PayPal accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, etc)with amount and/or value
- list of other large assets (non-household) such as boat, motorcycle, jet ski, travel trailer, gold mine, etc.
- summary of other financial arrangements (co-signers on anything, divorce decree, alimony payments, subsidies, etc)
- list of questions to ask the attorney - nothing is off limits here. They are there to help.

Most people can cobble this together in about 20 minutes or so. Put it in an envelope and bring it with you. You might write the gross incomes from the last two years and your current year-to-date income on the outside, since those will determine just how deeply an attorney might have to delve to get you started. Having all of this will help the attorney get a snapshot of where you are without wasting time to ask you, guessing, etc. They may or may not need it, but it really helps to have it together if for no other reason than to refresh your own brain and prep it for questions you will get from the attorney.

Let us know how it goes - we are here to help!