According to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, there are several steps you must take before filing for personal bankruptcy. This includes meeting bankruptcy counseling and education requirements. In fact, it’s a good idea to seek counseling from an approved credit counseling agency before scheduling meetings with an Aurora bankruptcy attorney.
Obtain counseling certificate
Not only is seeking bankruptcy counseling mandatory to file a bankruptcy petition, but it also helps you understand the bankruptcy process. The U.S. Courts website provides a list of approved credit counseling agencies where you can obtain the required counseling certificate. You are also required to obtain a bankruptcy education certificate, which you receive after completing an instructional course about personal financial management. The purpose of the educational course is to help you and other petitioners avoid additional and future financial difficulties.
Hire a bankruptcy attorney
You aren’t required to seek representation from a Schaumburg bankruptcy lawyer to file, but obtaining professional representation can be incredibly helpful. Bankruptcy laws can be very complex, as you must meet certain qualifications and deadlines to file under specific chapters. Working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney can help you navigate this complicated process, especially when it comes to passing the means test of a Chapter 7 petition.
Filing forms
Another benefit of working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney is ensuring that your forms are filed correctly. Your attorney will already know which forms need to be filed, what to include in the forms, and when to file with the court. If you choose to file without an attorney, you need to obtain the necessary forms from the U.S. Courts website. Once you fill out the forms, you need to submit them according to the included instructions.
With more than 20 years of consumer bankruptcy experience, the attorneys of Cutler & Associates, Ltd. provide quality guidance in areas of debt relief, negotiations and consolidations. If bankruptcy is inevitable, our Aurora bankruptcy attorneys can also help you file.