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THE "SIX STEPS"
Please follow each step. Do not jump over any
step, otherwise you will be sent back to complete
the missing step and this will slow the process for
completing your bankruptcy.
ANY INFORMATION IS HELD IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE
CLICK
HERE FOR A LIST OF ALL STEPS FOR THE ENTIRE
BANKRUPTCY PROCESS FROM BEGINNING TO END
Step One -
- Click here
for Digicounsel Educational video
- Introductory Session: the basics between chapter 7
and chapter 13. IF YOU ARE MARRIED YOU BOTH MUST
WATCH THIS VIDEO. The video will help you understand
the basics of bankruptcy, assist you to understand
your duties in bankruptcy and dispel the myths about
bankruptcy. In order to view the videos you must
have access to broadband (cable, DSL) and use
Internet Explorer or Netscape. This video will
not work on a Mac unit unless is is IE compatible. Do not send questions through DigiCounsel,
otherwise the program may freeze. Instead
write them down and ask Ms. Drain during
your call (Step Two). Once you have
finished this step move on to step two. Feel free to call us if you
have any problems or
questions.
Step Two -
Click here for General Review of Financial Status
-
fill out this form, send
to our office and Ms. Drain will call you to
schedule a 20 - 25 minute phone discussion.
THERE IS NO FEE FOR
THIS SHORT DISCUSSION. Please indicate on your
form what phone number we should call to
reach you and the most convenient time. Ms.
Drain will do her best to call at that time.
DO NOT SEND THIS FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED STEP
ONE (THE DIGICOUNSEL VIDEO).
This form is intended to
provide Ms. Drain with sufficient information to properly advise
you as to whether or not bankruptcy would help you and
then which type of bankruptcy would be the most beneficial.
The information
will also assist
in identifying specific areas of concern that could lead
to difficulty in filing a bankruptcy at this time.
This will also include a discussion about the
means test.
NOTE: To use this form
you can copy all or a portion of the document, then paste it into your word
processor. After this form
is filled out you can fax, e-mail or mail it to our
office. Make sure to write legibly and only in dark
ink.
Please understand that
just because you send us this form that you have not committed to filing for bankruptcy
protection. There are situations when the best
course is for a client to wait for some period before
filing, if a bankruptcy is ever filed; or take another route
other than bankruptcy. Depending on your unique needs Ms. Drain
may refer you to
another experienced bankruptcy lawyer.
By filling out this form you are giving our office
permission to run all public records, including criminal
records. We use this information to help guide you
through the bankruptcy.
If you do not
become a client of our office then we will shred all
documents you have provided.
Make sure to check our
FAQ's for basic questions related to bankruptcy.
Step Three -
Click
here for Digicounsel Educational video
- NOTE: YOU CANNOT ACCESS this video until you have
completed Step Two above and spoken to Ms. Drain.
Now that you know whether a 7 or 13 is your best
option, return to the videos and choose either 7 or 13,
or both. The more education the better. Make sure to use the
same phone number (including area code) as your
original login. Again, in order for you to access this
second video our office must first customize if for your
situation. We do this after we have completed the
telephonic conference referenced in Step Two. As always, call us if you
have any problems.
When
should you complete the rest of these steps? All
documents filed with any court, especially
Bankruptcy Court must be accurate, thorough and
honest. Therefore, do not start the rest of
these steps until you know that you will be filing
your bankruptcy in the next month or two.
Otherwise, it will be necessary for you to update
and edit all information you entered earlier.
That will most certainly frustrate you and make it
appear that you are making your life more difficult.
This is the last thing we want to do; we just want
to make certain that you will have top qualify
documents.
Step Four -
Credit
Reports
- After our phone
discussion and when you are within a short time of
wanting to file your bankruptcy, obtain credit
reports from all 3 reporting
agencies.
If you are
married obtain credit reports for each spouse.
Click here for the link to the free credit report. Why free
- the federal law requires that every Arizona
resident be able to obtain a free annual credit
reports.
Do you best to obtain these
credit reports (all three for each spouse) in order
to fill out step 5 completely. The law
requires that you list every creditor address on
every piece of mail received in the last 90 days
before filing a bankruptcy. There are creditor
addresses on both the front and back of each
statement/bill. These credit reports are intended to
supplement, not replace the demands and statements
that you have recently received from your
creditors/collection companies. |
Step Five*-
Please
do not
start this step until you have completed steps 1, 2,
3, and 4.
RAPID
IMPORT
(also known as "StopMyBills.com"): These forms are intended to provide us with
the necessary information to prepare your bankruptcy documents.
This on-line program is completely secure and only our
firm will receive a copy of your information.
Before going
any further print and read
Instructions for
Using Rapid Import. These instructions will make your work
much easier.
STOP:
did you get your credit reports (step 4)? If not,
get those reports and gather all your bills.
Did you print and read the
Instructions for
Using Rapid Import?
If not, do it now. I really hate to say this -
but if you elect not to follow our directions, then
I will elect not take you as client.
Bankruptcy is not something to do "half-baked".
You do your job and I will do mine; but I need you
to do your job in order for me to do mine. I
know that this warning is not necessary for most of
you.
So, now that you have read the
instructions fill in your social
security number below and press the "Log In"
button. You will be taken for an easy to follow
on-line series of questions. This site is called Rapid
Import and is very secure.
Be very accurate when filling in your social
security number. You may return to the Rapid
Import site anytime by re-entering the same social
security number. Therefore, you can enter
information at your convenience.
Once you
press "complete" in Rapid Import an e-mail will be
sent to our office. Once completed do not
enter any additional information at Rapid Important
without first talking to my paralegal - Jay. I
will call you to set your 2-hour appointment once he
has confirmed that you followed the directions in
filling out this information. Otherwise, Jay
will contact you to read the directions and fill out
the information correctly. .
Step Six**-
Credit Counseling Class - Congress
requires that you take a credit counseling class
before you are permitted to file for bankruptcy.
If you are married both of you must take this class.
The 50 minute class can be taken on the internet or phone.
We recommend
Institute for Financial Literacy (click here). This
office does not act as a facilitator, you must pay
any fees directly to the company; we do not give you
a log-in number, you just obtain that from the
company. You will be issued a
certificate once the class is completed. Make
sure to send my office a copy of this certificate.
Caution: this
class is good for only 6 months so take it only when
you are ready to meet with me.
Beware of
offers from fraudulent educational services.
They must be approved by the
US Trustee's Office.
Credit Counseling
companies that I have had trouble with:
1) Allen
Credit and Debt Counseling Agency
www.acdcas.com:
(failure to provide certificate without 2 reminders
2-8-07).
2) GreenPath Debt Solutions
Bring
to your first meeting with Ms. Drain:
(There is no need to make copies - we scan the
originals and immediately return them to you.)
1) Half of the retainer
fee. The balance, plus the court filing fee is
to be paid when you are ready for us to file your
bankruptcy.
2) Your driver's
license and social security cards.
3) New Means
Test (click here) - filled out before our
meeting.
4) Credit Counseling Certificate(s). Try to
have by this meeting, but must have by your second
meeting.
5) Bank statements for
last 12 months - all accounts, including business
(if any)
6) Tax returns for last 2 years
7) Last 6 months of all
pay stubs or proof of income (if self-employed).
8) Copies of all vehicle titles or registrations.
9) Copies of law suits, if any.
10) If you owe back child support or alimony - a copy
of exactly how much you owe and who is trying to
collect.
11)
If you are behind
on house payments and plan on saving your home, then
bring a statement from lender indicating the amount
necessary to bring the loan current, plus a copy of the
Notice of Trustee's Sale, if any.
12) If you owe back
federal taxes -
obtain a
literal transcript
CLICK HERE FOR NEW IRS FORM 4506T-EZ from the IRS for the last 4
years, whether you think you owed taxes or not.
General Notes on transcripts
PLEASE
NOTE:
Ms. Drain is
sensitive to strong smells and allergens. If
possible, consider the use of perfumes or cologne
when you meet with her.
Also, if you
have young children - please make arrangements for a
babysitter. Our first meeting is long and you
need to be able to concentrate.
Illness:
please stay
home if you or your family members are ill with a
cold or flu-like symptoms. You need to be fever
free for 24 hours without the assistance of fever
reducing medication before meeting with Ms. Drain.
Thank you for your courtesy.
CLICK
HERE FOR A LIST OF ALL STEPS FOR THE ENTIRE
BANKRUPTCY PROCESS FROM BEGINNING TO END |