Filing Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys
If you are heavily under debt and are worried about how you are going to pay your bills and other monthly dues, the second step may be to talk to a lawyer about filing bankruptcy.
What is the first step you ask? The first step would be to try and get rid of this debt. You will have to take drastic measures and put in your 100% efforts to deal with your debt but if you can't do it then perhaps bankruptcy is the answer.
A bankruptcy attorney will help you prepare and file your voluntary petition and various supporting documents. You will need to provide information about your income, your expenses, properties (if any) and the amout of debt you are dealing with. These documents will be filed with the clerk at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Your case will then be assigned to a court appointed trustee who will go over your paperwork and make sure all the information is complete and correct. The trustee will notify your creditors about your bankruptcy and at that time, all creditors must stop any action against you to collect a debt. The trustee will also handle the disposition of your assets and oversee your case.
The next step when you file bankruptcy is to have a meeting with your attorney, the trustee, your creditors and possibly, the creditor's lawyer. All questions and objections will be brought up and settled at this time.
You will then attend a hearing with a U.S. District Court Judge who has the power to discharge your debt for a Chapter 7, or approve your payment plan for a Chapter 13.
Bankruptcy judges have large caseloads, and appreciate a case without delays or problems with paperwork. Working with an experienced attorney who is familiar with the process will be invaluable when it comes to filing bankruptcy.