Personal Bankruptcy Tip No. 1
If you retain a legal counsel, select a personal bankruptcy attorney who is known for producing quality results. The opinions of judges and trustees carry the greatest weight. Whether these important opinions are good, or bad, the reputation of personal bankruptcy attorneys precedes their clients throughout the entire process. Most personal bankruptcy attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Even if you intend to represent yourself, meeting with a professional affords a prime opportunity to discuss the law, and more importantly, local applications and traditions. Present your ideas and expectations. Discuss your options. You will either confirm what you already believe, or discover a way to improve your results. Without charge.
Personal Bankruptcy Tip No. 2
All forms and schedules should be prepared accurately, professionally, and in conformance with all court requirements. Through experience, most judges and trustees know that small errors that are apparent in the beginning foretell problem cases. Do not draw attention to your case with sloppy forms, incomplete answers, poor grammar, or inconsistencies of any kind. If a personal bankruptcy attorney prepares your forms, review their forms as well. Courts and court personnel are prohibited from offering legal advice. They are busy, and for the most part, are hard-working men and women who could lose their jobs for counseling debtors. Do not file a haphazard set of forms and hope for assistance muddling through the process. Help will not be offered. Your case will be dismissed. You will be barred from re-filing for 6 months and create a permanent record.
Personal Bankruptcy Tip No. 3
Many debtors ramble nervously when answering questions asked by creditors, trustees and courts. At best, verbose answers are irritating to most people. Often worse, by including irrelevant factual detail, new issues will be raised that must be resolved before relief is granted. Listen to questions carefully and answer only the question asked. Remember - "If all the fish had kept their mouths shut, they would still be in the ocean."
Personal Bankruptcy Tip No. 4
Virtually all commercial creditors will be represented by attorneys. These attorneys know pro se debtors are easy prey while courts offer only limited protection. For instance, have you ever wondered why income verification is not required on most credit card applications? The primary purpose of these unverified answers (and personal bankruptcy attorneys representing creditors do hope you overstate) is to pursue fraudulent representation charges in the event of bankruptcy. Once a debtor is caught overstating income, creditors may file objections, yet usually also offer to settle the dispute in exchange for full payment.
Personal Bankruptcy Tip No. 5
Personal bankruptcy law firms talk to trustees' offices on a regular basis. They discuss cases, trustee procedures, and requirements to gain the trustee's recommendation. All debtors filing pro se have the same privilege, so that when meeting the trustee for the first time, you already know what, if anything, they will find objectionable. If possible, settle all differences with trustees by agreement before entering a courtroom. Ask your personal bankruptcy attorney for all anticipated objections before going to court. A well prepared attorney will have answers ready and solutions in hand.
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