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In order to ensure that each minute you spend meeting with your bankruptcy attorney is productive, you need to come prepared with all requested documentation. Your attorney may request that you bring a range of financial documents from your pay stubs and power bills to tax returns and prior credit card statements. Taking the time to organize these documents prior to your meeting will make it much easier for your attorney to piece together your finances and bankruptcy petition options.

The documents needed by your attorney depend on your local jurisdiction and the preferences of the local judges in your bankruptcy court. However, your attorney will most likely ask that you bring your tax returns from the past three years, pay stubs from the last six months, and a detailed list of your monthly expenses. From this information, your bankruptcy attorney can determine whether or not you qualify for a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition.