The Bankruptcy Filing Process

Filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy with an attorney generally takes the following steps:

An initial consultation is held to determine whether filing for bankruptcy is in your best interest. If it appears that bankruptcy is in your best interest, we officially begin the bankruptcy process by collecting information regarding your finances, assets and debts. As we prepare your case, we will answer any and every question that you may have along the way.

Once all of the necessary documents are collected and the forms are filled out, we will spend time reviewing and signing the bankruptcy petition and schedules. Prior to filing the case, we will complete a short online financial class that is required by the bankruptcy code. At this point, you will be ready to file your case.

After your case is filed, you have two obligations. The first is to complete an additional financial management course. The second is to attend the 341 meeting of creditors, which is generally held about a month after filing.

While creditors are invited to attend the meeting, it is very rare that they actually do so. With these two obligations completed and no objections by the Bankruptcy Court, your case will be discharged in approximately two or three months after the 341 hearing.

Filing for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy with a St. Louis bankruptcy attorney takes very similar steps in the beginning. Since Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires a repayment plan, this procedure is much more complex and varied depending on the nature of the case.