Use this page to guide you through the preparation process for the filing of your bankruptcy case. Carefully follow each step. Contact us with any questions. All of the information below, if applicable to you, is required by the bankruptcy rules. If you need help, please call Robert Flessas at (262) 821-5533.
STEP #1: OBTAIN PRE-FILING CREDIT COUNSELING
You must complete a PRE-Filing credit counseling course and obtain a Certificate of Completion. The Certificate of Completion is only valid for 6 months. There are many approved providers and the cost varies. We have identified the following providers with reasonable prices:
For Individual Filers (Filing without a spouse)
CC Advising: Cost $9.76 if you complete the course using a desktop computer or laptop. Use this provider if you are filing without a spouse. The cost increases to $50 that their course using your smart phone. This provider will automatically email your completion certificate to us. No need to pay any extra for delivery.
For Joint Filers ( Filing as a Married Couple)
DebtorCC: Cost $14.95 per couple. Use this provider if you are filing jointly with your spouse. This provider will automatically email your completion certificate to us. No need to pay any extra for delivery.
For Both Joint or Individual Filers:
BothCourses.com: Cost $8.95. USE ATTORNEY CODE: FRRF553. Use for either individual or joint filings. They offer course online or by phone for $20. Check their prices. Their website is currently unsecured. They offer a chat line for questions. Their business hours are M-F to 10 PM, Saturdays to 8 PM, and Sundays to 9 PM.
Phone Only (Non-Computer Users)
PreBK.com: Cost $25. Offers the course by phone. Call (844) 378-2961.
BothCourses.com: Cost: $20. Call (844) 378-3059.
STEP #2: GET A FREE CREDIT REPORT
Listing all of your debt on your petition is required. Keep in mind that there are additional fees incurred each time you add creditors after the filing of your petition. Use due diligence to obtain creditor information.
A credit report will verify most, if not all, of the debt that you owe. Consumers can download a free credit report every 12-months.
Our clients use AnnualCreditReport.com. This site provides free credit reports from Experian, Transunion and Equifax. No credit card is required. We prefer a Transunion credit report, as their report is very concise.
NOTE: Do not rely exclusively on your credit report to identify your debt. If a debt does not appear on your credit report (for example – healthcare debt that did not go to collections), then provide us with the most recent creditor statement.
If you can’t find a particular debt on your credit report, or don’t have a recent creditor statement, don’t be afraid to answer harassing creditor calls. You can use these calls to obtain information that will be added to your bankruptcy case. They will be eager to provide this information to you.
When a creditor or collection agency calls you, answer the call and get the following information from them:
- Company name and address. If a collection agency calls, obtain their address and the original creditor’s name and address.
- Account Number.
- Date you incurred the debt.
- Classification of the debt (Credit Card, Healthcare, Pay Day Loan, etc.).
- Amount owed.
STEP #3: VEHICLE INFORMATION
Vehicles include cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles, campers, ATV’s, etc.
We will need a copy of either your vehicle title or Confirmation of Ownership document to prove ownership. A registration document is unacceptable.
If you do not have your title, you must obtain a Confirmation of Ownership from the Wisconsin DMV by calling (608) 264-7447. Enter Option #2. A DMV representative will confirm your identity on the phone and your will receive your Confirmation of Ownership in approximately 1 week by USPS. Down the instruction document here.
STEP #4: STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS
We need complete copies of the last 2 years of both your Federal and State Income Tax returns. If you do not have your Wisconsin income tax returns, click here to obtain a free transcript. If you do not have your Federal income tax returns, click here to obtain a transcript.
STEP #5: EVIDENCE OF YOUR INCOME
If you are employed as a W-2 wage earner, we need pay stubs from the last 6 months from any employer showing your gross income and any payroll deductions.
If you are self-employed, we need a simple profit and loss statement (P&L) showing your income and expenses from the last 6 months. We will provide you with a template to create this simple P&L statement.
Income includes government benefits (Food Share, Social Security Benefits and Maintenance and Child Support income). You must provide us with proof of any income.
STEP #6: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
This category includes any financial account including checking accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts (pensions, stock accounts, IRA, 401(k), etc.).
Documentation is required to show the value, account number and entity that administers your account.
For bank accounts, we will need the last 4 digits of any account (please designate by type of account – checking or savings), the name and address of your bank, and we will need the exact balance on the day that your case is filed.
Some trustees will require 90 days of bank statements dating back from the filing date of your case. Be prepared to produce these documents if requested by us.
STEP #7: SUPPORT PAYMENTS
If you pay child support, family support and/or maintenance, you must provide the name and address of the recipient, the monthly amount that you pay, and the method used to pay the support to the recipient.
STEP #8: MONTHLY EXPENSES
Make an accurate list of all of your monthly expenses. Please note, most people under estimate their monthly food expense. You need to include any cost for meals. Include restaurants and meal purchases at work. Download this document to list your monthly expenses.
STEP #9: PERSONAL PROPERTY
List all of your personal property that you own. Start by going through each room where you reside, including the basement and garage, if applicable. Unlike monthly expenses, most people over-estimate the value of their personal property.
Make a list of all of the big items (i.e. – sofa, coffee table, bed, dresser, lamps, lawn mower, etc.) for each room. The smaller items you can group (i.e. Miscellaneous kitchen utencils, small hand tools, miscellaneous clothing, etc.).
Download this property listing form to help you itemize. If you use our portal, you do not need to download this form.