If you are thinking about bankruptcy as a possible solution to your financial worries, you will want to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Most attorneys will offer telephone or in‐person consultations. When you get your appointment scheduled, be sure you will be speaking with an attorney, not an assistant or paralegal. At Wendi Henderhan Law Offices, your consultation is always with Attorney Wendi herself.
The bankruptcy process is easy when you choose the right bankruptcy attorney in Lancaster or Columbus to guide you. You should speak with your attorney during your consultation, during your case filing, and before your court hearing, as well as any time technical questions arise concerning your case.
Office staff and paralegals are great with paperwork and forms, but your legal advice should always come from the attorney. Whether you’re filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, your bankruptcy attorney should answer your questions, provide you with options, and make the process easy to understand. This is what you are paying for.
Discussing Assets, Debts And Lawsuits With Your Bankruptcy Attorney
Your attorney will lead you through a series of questions concerning your assets and your debt. You should inform the attorney if you have received any legal papers e.g., lawsuits, complaints, summons, or judgments. These are issued by the court and have the court’s name and address at the top of the page.
Here are some other topics you can expect to discuss during a bankruptcy consultation:
Protected Assets
A good consultation will include a discussion on your protected assets. You should feel confident there won’t be a knock at the door from a creditor, or the court seizing your assets after your case is filed.
Your bankruptcy attorney in Columbus and Lancaster should be forthcoming with clear and simple information and be open to your questions and concerns.
Taxes ‐ Federal, State, City, School, Property
Copies of your current federal and state tax returns are requested when you file your bankruptcy. If you owe city, state, school district, or federal taxes, be sure you tell the attorney so this information is included in your case filing.
Most tax debt is still owed once your bankruptcy case is discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. However, there are situations where certain tax debts can be discharged. Your Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney should explain this to you during your consultation.
Vehicles
You will discuss your vehicles including leased and owned vehicles. This includes cars, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, RVs, ATVs, campers, motorhomes, and most items with a title or memorandum title. Your bankruptcy attorney will want to understand your intention with the vehicles and if it is your desire to keep them and continue making payments on them.
Income
Your sources of income will also be discussed in order to accurately qualify you for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy laws establish income limits to be eligible for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy plan which is a discharge of certain debt (credit card, medical, repo balances, some loans, etc.).
The Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan has different income qualifications because it is a re‐payment plan. You need an experienced bankruptcy attorney, like Attorney Wendi Henderhan, to help you decide which type of bankruptcy (if any) will work better for your unique situation.
Your Rights and Creditor Actions
It is important to know what creditors can and cannot do concerning your situation, especially if you are experiencing creditor harassment and wage garnishment threats. A good bankruptcy attorney in Columbus and Lancaster will provide you with a detailed explanation of your rights, and methods to eliminate these problems.
Fees
Fees for court and legal services should be provided to you in a clear and concise manner by your attorney. You should know exactly what you are paying for. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges many debts, while Chapter 13 is a repayment plan.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy attorneys in Columbus are paid more because there is additional work involved and it will take you a number of years to complete the plan. Don’t let a bankruptcy attorney in Columbus talk you into a Chapter 13 plan when your situation does not warrant it. If you do not get clear answers on this, or fully understand why, you should schedule a consultation with another bankruptcy lawyer in Lancaster or Columbus to make sure you have a second opinion before making a hiring decision.
What Happens After a Consultation With a Bankruptcy Attorney?
So, the consultation is over, what’s next? Your bankruptcy attorney in Columbus and Lancaster should outline paperwork requirements, fees, and any court requirements for filing your case.
You should receive information on paperwork to submit, along with a fee or retention agreement to hire the attorney to represent you. Remember, if you were not satisfied with your consultation, this is your opportunity to seek out another attorney who will provide you with detailed legal advice for your situation.
Rating your Consultation
So, how do you know if your consultation was a good one? You can rate your impressions using these questions:
- I felt comfortable with the discussion.
- The bankruptcy attorney explained the process in detail, in easy to understand words.
- The attorney gave good tips concerning upcoming bills, taxes and refunds.
- The attorney clearly advised me on the differences between Chapters 7 & 13 bankruptcy and what each will cost me.
- I was encouraged to ask questions and received answers that were clear and understandable.
- I understand how my debts will be handled through this bankruptcy plan.
Contact us today for your free consultation. . Attorney Wendi will be happy to handle your consultation in a comfortable, informative, and respectful manner.
Wendi Henderhan Law offices serve all of Franklin, Fairfield, Perry, Knox, Ross, Hocking, Galia, Licking, Meigs, Vinton, and Jackson counties