You made the smart choice to get a fresh start on your financial life and hired a bankruptcy lawyer to help you with the process. Getting ready for your first meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer can make anyone nervous, but there is little reason to be. Your lawyer is there to help you, not berate you for going into bankruptcy. The first meeting helps both of you get acquainted and start getting your case in order. Here is what you can expect in your first meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer.
Going Over Background Information
One of the most common things to do when meeting with your bankruptcy lawyer is to go over your background and any important information. That way, your lawyer can confirm the details of the case early on.
In this meeting, you can expect to go over things like your finances, documents you turned over to help in your case, and other financial information. This gives your lawyer the chance to make sure that they have everything they need before moving forward with the case and that all of that information is accurate
Looking at the Next Steps
In your first meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer, you can also expect to talk about the bankruptcy process and what to do next. Bankruptcy can be a complex process to navigate, and you are intimately involved in every part of it. Your lawyer will help you set realistic expectations on how the case will go.
Bankruptcy Consultation Tips
There are several things that you can do to make your bankruptcy consultation go smoothly. Here are several bankruptcy consultation tips for your first meeting with your bankruptcy lawyer.
Summarize Your Documents
While your lawyer will want to go over the documentation that you have, the first meeting isn’t the time for a large pile of documents about your debt. Instead, summarize the documentation into a spreadsheet of your finances. It will let your lawyer get a good look at your situation without being overwhelmed by all of the documentation to go through.
Bring Copies of Legal Actions, Such as Lawsuits
If you are involved in any legal action, such as being sued by a creditor, bring a copy of that case documentation. The lawyer needs to see if you have any legal actions in progress so that they can represent you and factor that into the bankruptcy case.
Make a List of Questions
You likely have a lot of questions for your attorney. It can help everyone stay organized and get your questions answered if you put them on a list. That way, you can go through them one at a time without forgetting any or bombarding the lawyer with too many questions at one time.
Relax and Work With Your Lawyer To Fix Your Situation
Above all else, relax when you go to your consultation. Your lawyer is there to help you, so there is little reason to be tense or upset during the meeting. Come in with a relaxed attitude and be ready to work together to get through the bankruptcy process.
At Kain + Henehan, we see potential clients every day who are nervous. Our approach not only focuses on getting you successfully through bankruptcy but also on making the process easy and low-stress. Contact Kain + Henehan by calling (612) 438-8006 or filling out the online form so we can work through this process together.
