Most things go much more smoothly when you are prepared for what is involved. For instance, if you have a test or paper coming due, or a big project at work, you are well advised to start preparing early and staying on top of your preparation. If you forget to study, or don’t do the research needed for a project assigned to you on your job, the chances of performing successfully begin to dwindle. The same is true with your budget, even if your budget is not currently working for you. When you have more debt than money, bankruptcy is a good answer. But before you file a case there are some things you need to do to get ready.
Three steps to take before you file bankruptcy include:
• Write down all of your monthly expenses, even the ones you think don’t count (like Netflix bills or your daily stop at Starbucks). Knowing where your money goes each month will help you to know what you can and cannot afford.
• Gather all of the documents that show your income, including paystubs for the past 6 months and at least the last two years’ worth of income tax returns. If you are married and will be filing a joint case, make sure you gather this information for both yourself and your spouse.
• Make an appointment with a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney. When you go visit with your attorney, take your list of debts and income with you, so you can be prepared to give an accurate picture of your finances.
After your attorney reviews all of your debt and income information, you may be asked to provide additional documents, such as car titles and the deed to your house. It is best to get all of this stuff together as soon as you can, so your case can be prepared quickly. Once your case is prepared you will be asked to look it over to make sure there are no errors, and this is much easier to do if you have organized your papers in advance. We can help by letting you know what to expect during your case, and getting it ready to file for you. Once filed it is our job to stay on top of the progress in your case, and let you know about any hearings that are scheduled that require your attendance. Call us today for help; we can put you on the path to financial recovery.
For more information about how to manage debt, contact us at www.DsouzaLegalGroup.com. We will help by coming up with solutions that work for you.
