Checklist: Documents to Show Your Bankruptcy Attorney

Once an individual or couple has decided to file for bankruptcy, there are a few documents that must be compiled before the bankruptcy is actually filed.  If the filer has a bankruptcy lawyer, he/she can bring as many of these documents as possible to the initial bankruptcy consultation and the bankruptcy lawyer will present a list of any essential documentation that is not present or that may be needed for a particular bankruptcy case.  Once the bankruptcy lawyer has a chance to review all the pregnant information for the individual case, he/she can make a more informed decision about what chapter of bankruptcy is best suited for the particular bankruptcy case in question.  Having all the necessary information in the initial bankruptcy consultation will save time and start the process quicker.  The filer will have to attend and complete a pre-bankruptcy credit counseling course and obtain a certificate of completion.

Anyone wishing to file for bankruptcy should bring with him/her the following financial and debt related documentation to the initial bankruptcy consultation with the bankruptcy lawyer:

• The pre-bankruptcy credit counseling certificate
• Copies of credit reports from all 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion)
• Previous three months of bank statements
• Previous three months worth of bills from every creditor
• Previous three months of vehicle payment coupons or stubs for all leased or purchased vehicles
• Appraisal of all vehicles, payoff letters, or any balances left on vehicle loans
• The actual lease or mortgage document
• Previous three months of mortgage payments or rent receipts
• Proof of homestead exemption
• Non-homestead property must have deed, mortgage, promissory note, notarized payoff letter, appraisal, and most recent tax bill
• Previous three months of payments to any loans
• A detailed lists of household furnishings  including the age and value of each piece on the list
• Invoices or bills for purchases made within the last year
• All receipts or payment stubs from household bills for the previous three months
• Files or judgments from any previous litigation against the filer
• Verdicts or judgments from any benefits the filer may be collecting
• Any financial court orders or family support orders
• Canceled checks for any missing receipts for expenses
• Any collection action, final action, or threatening letters from creditors
• ALL insurance policies (life, health, auto, property, etc.)
• Tax returns for the previous three years
• All titles (vehicle, property, luxury items, etc.)
• Any promissory notes signed by the filer
• Any other documents detailing outstanding debts of the filer
• Proof of any money owed to the filer
• Paystubs or receipts for any work done within the last six months

The filer must also include all financial and debt information for all individuals that live in the household with an itemized list of any financial contribution by said individuals.  A filer will also be required to complete a bankruptcy intake questionnaire. 

Aside from the financial documentation, the filer will need to bring personal information to the initial bankruptcy consultation including: 

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Social security card or alien registration card
• Case number and date of any previous bankruptcy
• Any lawsuits that name the filer as the defendant
• Finalized divorce decrees

The newest bankruptcy law, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Ac t (BAPCPA) enacted April 20, 2005, requires that anyone filing for bankruptcy be more thorough about their financial information and supply more documentation to prove their financial situation.

Contact a bankruptcy lawyer in your area today.