What to Bring to Your First Meeting

Your initial consultation with our office is free, and it is your chance to get real answers about your financial situation. To make the most of that meeting, it helps to come prepared. The more information we have, the better we can assess your options and give you specific, actionable advice.

You do not need to have every single item on this list. Bring what you can, and we will work with what you have. If something is missing, we can always follow up later. The point is not to create extra stress for you but to make sure we can give you the most accurate picture of your situation.

Recent Pay Stubs and Income Records

We need to understand your current income to determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or whether Chapter 13 would be a better fit. Bring your last two to three months of pay stubs. If you are self-employed, bring your most recent profit and loss statements or business bank statements.

If you receive any other income, such as Social Security, disability, pension, alimony, child support, or rental income, bring documentation of those amounts as well. All income sources need to be accounted for as part of the means test calculation.

Tax Returns from the Last Two Years

Your federal and state tax returns from the past two years give us a broader view of your financial history. They also show information about deductions, dependents, and other factors that affect your bankruptcy filing. If you do not have copies readily available, you can request transcripts from the IRS at no charge.

If you have not filed your tax returns recently, let us know. Unfiled tax returns can be a problem in a bankruptcy case, and we will need to address that before moving forward.

A List of All Your Debts

This is one of the most important things to bring. Make a list of every debt you owe, including:

• Credit card balances and the name of each creditor
• Medical bills, including the provider and collection agency if applicable
• Personal loans, payday loans, and title loans
• Student loan balances
• Car loans and lease payments
• Mortgage balances
• Any debts owed to the IRS or state tax agencies
• Judgments, liens, or garnishment orders
• Money owed to friends or family members

If you have recent statements or collection letters, bring those along. They help us verify the exact amounts and identify who currently holds each debt.

Bills and Monthly Expense Information

We will need to understand your monthly expenses to complete the bankruptcy paperwork. Bring information about your regular monthly bills, including rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance premiums, car payments, groceries, childcare, and any other recurring costs.

You do not need to have exact numbers for everything. Reasonable estimates work for items like food and gas. But the more accurate your numbers, the better we can plan your case, especially if we are looking at a Chapter 13 repayment plan.

Property and Asset Information

Bankruptcy requires you to disclose everything you own. That sounds more alarming than it is. In most Chapter 7 cases filed through our office, our clients keep all of their property thanks to Pennsylvania and federal exemptions. But we need to know what you have so we can protect it properly.

Bring information about:

• Your home (approximate value and mortgage balance)
• Vehicles (year, make, model, mileage, and loan balance)
• Bank account balances
• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension)
• Any valuable personal property (jewelry, collections, tools of your trade)
• Life insurance policies with cash value

Lawsuits, Garnishments, and Collection Actions

If a creditor has sued you, if your wages are being garnished, or if your bank account has been frozen, bring any court papers or notices you have received. These situations often add urgency to a bankruptcy filing, and the automatic stay that takes effect when we file your case can stop these actions immediately.

Identification

Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID card. We also need your Social Security number for the bankruptcy petition.

Do Not Worry About Being Perfect

The goal of the first meeting is to understand your situation and start mapping out a plan. If you do not have everything on this list, come anyway. We have helped thousands of people through this process, and we can always gather missing documents later.

The most important thing is to take the first step. Call 412-923-4941 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.