Preparing to File for Bankruptcy

If you've decided that you're eligible and think filing for bankruptcy is the best option for you, you can get started by collecting this short list of items to bring to our offices.

  1. The completed Bankruptcy Worksheet.
  2. Your Credit Counseling course completion certificate
  3. Driver's license
  4. Social Security card
  5. 6 months of paystubs
  6. 4 years of tax returns
  7. 6 months of bank statements
  8. 6 months of bills (including utilities and credit cards)
  9. Unemployment Compensation PIN and list of all payments received within the past 6 months (if applicable)
  10. Information on vehicles (year, make, model, mileage) and copy of titles
  11. Cash surrender values on life insurance policies
  12. Documentation from the Court of any child support or spousal support obligations

Learn how to determine your complete income and expenses.

When you have gathered the above information and completed the Worksheets, please call our office at 888.505.6115 to schedule an appointment and review the information. All information and document requests must be complete or we will not be able to proceed with your case.

Payment of all legal fees and filing fees must be paid in full at your next appointment and you will be required to sign a Fee Agreement with our office.

If we provide bankruptcy services for you, please be advised:

  1. All of the information and documents you provide for your bankruptcy petition or after filing must be complete, accurate and truthful.
  2. All of your assets and liabilities must be completely and accurately listed in the documents you file. The replacement value of each asset must also be listed and you must make a reasonable effort and inquiry to establish the replacement value of each asset.
  3. Your current monthly income and allowed monthly expenses must be accurately stated in your bankruptcy documents, and you must make a reasonable effort and inquiry to ascertain their correctness. In a chapter 13 case your disposable monthly income must also be accurately stated after reasonable inquiry.
  4. Any information you provide during the bankruptcy case may be audited, and a failure to provide the required information may result in the dismissal of your bankruptcy case or other sanctions, including the filing of criminal charges against you.

Contact us to learn more about bankruptcy and our 40 years of experience working with families across the Central Pennsylvania region.