How To File for Bankruptcy [Infographic]

Filing for Bankruptcy | Steps of the Bankruptcy Filing Process | Law Offices of Robert M. Geller

1. Notify Creditors

   If and when creditors continue to contact you, let them know the Law Office of Robert M. Geller is representing you. Give them our firm’s contact information (unless our attorneys told you to do otherwise.)

2. Provide Financial Information for Review

   We provide you a web link to the MyCase website along with a user ID and password that enables you to provide us with: Your personal details, property information, income, expenses, finances, assets, debts, yard sale values of all your property.

3. Appointment with Your Bankruptcy Caseworker

   You’ll receive notification from your caseworker via email and MyCase Phone Appointment, along with your caseworker’s name and address.

4. In-Office Signing Appointment

   Your caseworker will schedule your in-office signing appointment after you: submit all necessary documents, complete the credit counseling course, complete the online worksheets, pay the filing fee

5. Bankruptcy Signing Appointment

   Signing appointments generally take two hours and include: Review of your petition, review other details of your case, signing of the petition, filing of the petition

6. Step 6: Debtor’s Education Course

   Once the petition is filed, you must immediately complete the second of your two required bankruptcy education courses, the debtor’s education/financial management course.

7. 341 Meeting

   You’ll receive notification from the court regarding the 341 meeting with the bankruptcy trustee. Meetings are typically scheduled approximately 30 days after your case has been filed. Our attorney will accompany you during the meeting.

8. Step 8: Discharge

   Chapter 7: You will receive your discharge in about 60 to 90 days after the 341 meeting.
   
   Chapter 13: You will have to make your first trustee payment within 30 days of the signing date and every 30 days thereafter. You will receive your discharge once you have completed the planned payments, which should last about 30 to 60 months.

9. Credit Rebuilding Program

   Once you receive your discharge, we will get in touch with you and sign you up for the 720 credit rebuilding program.

10. Credit Report Review

    Approximately six months after you obtain discharge, you should order a copy of your credit report and schedule a meeting with us. Together we’ll review the report and ensure that all your accounts are shown as zero balance or discharged in bankruptcy.