Hello,
As promised to those of you that are in the same predicament that we are, I will share our experience with you all. Friday we retained our lawyer. We paid $300 upfront. They required a minimum of $100. So far we have only met with her staff. Her staff is a family affair. Her husband was a practicing lawyer in another state and her son is the one that cranks up the documents and works on the details. We received a pre-banrupcty package with all the documents to fill out and things that we need to do before and after filing for Chapter 7. We also had to sign several docs: 1. A notice required by the Bankrupcty code Section 527 (A) (2) 2. One sheet that helps explain what must be done in a routine bankruptcy and how to evaluate how much service one needs as well as the role and limitations of a lawyer(I guess this one is required by law) 3 An Attorney-Client Retainer Agreement... explaining total fees and costs and services provided as well as additional fees for supplemental services(in case that things get complicated) 4. An information sheet explaining bankruptcy discharges, liquidation of assets by trustees and a paragraph where we agree to cooperate and provide all relevant information requested by the law firm. They even gave us driving directions to the U.S Bankruptcy Court.
Today we submitted most of the information that they required and the next step is to get together and discuss the information that we provided.
One more thing.... we are soooo glad that we hired a lawyer even though we could have gone pro se. I returned the Nolo book (highly recommended it) to the library. We feel much calmer knowing that we have a team of experts on our side....worth the $$$ imo.
Good luck to all,
As promised to those of you that are in the same predicament that we are, I will share our experience with you all. Friday we retained our lawyer. We paid $300 upfront. They required a minimum of $100. So far we have only met with her staff. Her staff is a family affair. Her husband was a practicing lawyer in another state and her son is the one that cranks up the documents and works on the details. We received a pre-banrupcty package with all the documents to fill out and things that we need to do before and after filing for Chapter 7. We also had to sign several docs: 1. A notice required by the Bankrupcty code Section 527 (A) (2) 2. One sheet that helps explain what must be done in a routine bankruptcy and how to evaluate how much service one needs as well as the role and limitations of a lawyer(I guess this one is required by law) 3 An Attorney-Client Retainer Agreement... explaining total fees and costs and services provided as well as additional fees for supplemental services(in case that things get complicated) 4. An information sheet explaining bankruptcy discharges, liquidation of assets by trustees and a paragraph where we agree to cooperate and provide all relevant information requested by the law firm. They even gave us driving directions to the U.S Bankruptcy Court.
Today we submitted most of the information that they required and the next step is to get together and discuss the information that we provided.
One more thing.... we are soooo glad that we hired a lawyer even though we could have gone pro se. I returned the Nolo book (highly recommended it) to the library. We feel much calmer knowing that we have a team of experts on our side....worth the $$$ imo.
Good luck to all,
- Report of No Distribution 
12/14/10 - Filed Chapter 7, 02/09/11 - 341 Hearing, 04/14/11 - 
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