The entire process from start to finish?

[frustrated1]

I contacted a lawyer today and she was supposed to email me paperwork for the means test. So far, 15 hours later I don't have it. Is this typical? I'm wondering how long after I meet with my lawyer that he/she files for BK? I don't want to wait too much longer and I'm not sure how much time I should give this women before searching for someone new to work with. I'm a little impatient..lol.

[danaf]

You don't need a lawyer to take the means test. Google legalconsumer means test and you can do it yourself. You will also need to know your state's median income for your family size which you can find on the US Trustee website. There will be other numbers on there too that will help you figure out what's allowed compared to what your actual budget is.

Insofar as her taking so long to get back to you - I'd be inpatient too however with this economy, bankruptcies are up and so lawyers are very busy. But I can say this is not an overnight process. It will take time and it also depends on your situation. There are a ton of factors that go into it. Read the board & learn. Even though I am filing pro-se, even if I had hired a lawyer, I'd still have to know everything I could because well....filing bk is a huge deal. Many on here recommend the Nolo book on how to file. It is good but in my opinion, it doesn't address many scenarios. One in particular for me was that it didn't address how to deal with student loans on the schedules. But all in all, it's worth the purchase and it is a good start to learning about the process.

[Flamingo]

You cannot be impatient as to filing BK. Legal wheels grind slowly. Attorneys are extremely busy with your issues and the issues of hundreds of other clients and they work on a priority and deadline/due date issue. If you don't have the information in another day or so, contact her assistant/paralegal and inquire.

[Stilltheone]

I was also impatient before we filed.

We met with our attorney March 4th...2 days later, she had all of our paperwork. We dealt with ignoring the phone calls until March 22nd.

I know it can be frustrating, but you do have to be patient. I learned that the time she took going over our paperwork just meant less hassles down the road. She wanted to be thorough and make sure we wouldn't run into any problems...so far so good.

Hang in there!

[AngelinaCat]

I contacted a lawyer today and she was supposed to email me paperwork for the means test. So far, 15 hours later I don't have it. Is this typical? I'm wondering how long after I meet with my lawyer that he/she files for BK? I don't want to wait too much longer and I'm not sure how much time I should give this women before searching for someone new to work with. I'm a little impatient..lol.

Frustrated1, you're not alone in this. Once we decide to do this, we want it over and done with yesterday. But it doesn't work that way. You are one of many clients that they see--and I'm not defending attorneys! We have one of the worst. That said, there may be reasons in your financial history of six months to a year before, that might make it wise to postpone filing for a while. When you read more here, you will see many that have studied and waited to file, and then others that circumstances dictated filing a little too quick and are now having to clean up the mistakes.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you. My best~~~

[Cali]

Did you pay the attorney a retainer or the full fee?

I met my attorney the end of February(paid in full), I just filed last week. I waited this long for me.

My attorney's law firm has 1000's of BK cases to go through. So many are busy. If you are ready to file and have paid the fees, then call her and let her know.

I let my attorney know when I was ready and I paid the filing fee the same day I signed my paperwork. Now I am waiting for my 341.

[frustrated1]

Thanks everyone! Actually - I should have been a little more clear. I only spoke with her on the phone but before she'd continue with me, she wanted me to complete the Means Tests that she was going to email. BUT.. she has not emailed it yet. I want to get this going because I might hurt my chances of filing for Ch. 7 if I wait past the month of June. I left her a voicemail but nothing... and I don't think she has a paralegal or receptionist. No money has been exchanged.

[parsoc48]

I would look up the means test (there are several sites) and just do it yourself....it will occupy your time and start your BK education process! I did all that, expenses sheet and everything, before I even had my first appointment..helped me get grounded in what our decision was and helped me see our true situation....rather than what I wanted it to be.Good luck, and work on the "patience issue"...yoiu will need lots of it!