Documents You Will Need to Submit to File for Bankruptcy
July 19, 2023
When you file for bankruptcy, you must submit a variety of documents to disclose information regarding your income, debt, expenses, assets, and other financial and legal affairs. The information you provide can affect the outcome of your bankruptcy case, which is why you cannot afford to make mistakes when filing for bankruptcy.
A bankruptcy attorney at The Law Offices of David K. Blazek, P.C. can assist you with gathering the documents and information you need when filing for bankruptcy. Documents need to be prepared correctly or you risk having your case dismissed. The law firm has offices in Tampa and Boca Raton, Florida, as well as Atlanta, Georgia, but also serves Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville, Florida, and Columbus and Macon, Georgia.
Documents You Need to File for Bankruptcy
When filing for bankruptcy, you need to prepare and submit a list of documents, including:
Documents for your basic information. First and foremost, you need to prove who you are. For this purpose, you may need to submit a copy of your driver’s license and Social Security card.
Two years of tax returns. You need the tax returns you filed for the two calendar years before the date a petition for bankruptcy is filed.
Income documentation. You will also be asked to provide a copy of your pay stubs and your last two W-2s in order to verify your income. On top of that, you also need to show proof of other sources of income (if any).
Vehicle registration and proof of value. If you own any cars, you need to show proof of ownership as well as proof of value. If you have a car loan, you must provide a recent loan statement.
Mortgage statements. If you are making mortgage payments, you need to submit a recent mortgage statement.
Financial records. When filing for bankruptcy, you need to establish that you cannot pay your bills. This can be done with financial records, such as bank statements for the last several months, bills from creditors, receipts, documentation that someone owes you money, and other records.
Legal records. You may also need to reveal your legal records and/or pending litigation. Legal records may help determine how much you can afford to pay creditors.
Proof of credit counseling. The law requires those who file for bankruptcy to complete credit counseling. Without proof of credit counseling, which establishes healthy financial habits, your bankruptcy petition will be dismissed.
These are not the only documents you need to prepare when filing for bankruptcy. The full list of documents will vary from one individual to another depending on their circumstances. For example, if you must follow an alimony or child support order, you must submit documents that show proof of these costs. An attorney can help you identify which documents you will need to submit when filing for bankruptcy.
How an Attorney Can Assist You
It is imperative that you work with an attorney when filing for bankruptcy, especially if you are filing for the first time and do not know which documents you will need to submit. There are several ways an attorney can assist you:
They will determine which documents you need to file. The list of documents you need to file depends on which chapter you are filing and your circumstances. Often, it can take days or even weeks to prepare the full stack of documents for your bankruptcy petition.
They will ensure that your filing is correct. For a debtor, there is nothing worse than getting their bankruptcy petition dismissed. If you make any errors in your paperwork and/or any information is missing when submitting your documents, your case can be dismissed. An attorney will ensure that you get it right the first time to avoid unnecessary delays and reduce costs.
They will assist you throughout your bankruptcy case. Gathering the necessary documents and filing a petition for bankruptcy are just the first steps in your bankruptcy case. You might want to be represented by an attorney to get guidance throughout your case and ensure the most favorable outcome possible.
Whether you are filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13, the knowledgeable and results-driven attorney at The Law Offices of David K. Blazek, P.C. can help guide you toward the best course of action.
Navigate Your Bankruptcy Case With Confidence
Filing for bankruptcy can be a difficult task. Getting legal counsel can help you navigate your bankruptcy case with confidence. The bankruptcy attorney at The Law Offices of David K. Blazek, P.C. can help you gather and organize your paperwork to ensure that nothing is missing and no mistakes are made when filing for bankruptcy. Contact the law firm today to schedule a free case review.