What is the best way (most organized) to go into a consultation? What do I bring and how detailed should I get with the paper work? I want this to be as smooth as possible 
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I'm not an expert - this is just what I did.
#1 I had copies of all my outstanding bills, including mortgage.
#2 I put all my creditors in an Excel spreadsheet and had a column for the balance, when I last paid them and status (in collections, etc).
#3 Copies of my most recent paystub and my last year's tax return (didn't really need these).
#4 I filled in the schedules I & J so the lawyer had a ballpark estimate of my expenses and income to ensure we qualified for Chapter 7. He will fill out the final versions.
#5 I grouped my assets and assigned a fair market value so the lawyer could ensure they fell under the exemption allowance. He also gave me advice as to what he thought i was overestimating and referred me to an appraiser that has been working with him for 20 years.
#6 I had a list of questions written down. For example, my husband's car was on its last leg and we needed advice. He told us to get a new car BEFORE we filed and get it 100% financed before we become late on cc bills and our FICO score dropped. With 100% financing, we have NO equity in the car which is important because we are only allowed a $1000 auto exemption, which we will need to cover our second car. I also asked questions about what we should be doing in the next 6 months while we prepare to file. I filled him in on ALL financial activity we were planning to make sure it would be okay (ex: need to get dental work done, etc). I asked about his fees - which he produced a schedule IN WRITING on the SPOT! I asked him whether or not I would have access to him or a paralegal. He told me HE fills out all the forms - not us. HE will personally do all the paperwork. The other lawyers gave me a 50 page packet and sent me home with a paralegal's extension in case I had questions.
#7 Finally - I did some research on my lawyer before meeting him - nothing extensive - just a google search.
With 2 of the lawyers, I never got this far because I had already mentally crossed them off my list halfway through the meeting. The third lawyer had me arrive 15 minutes early and fill out some paperwork - since I had it all in an excel spreadsheet - I could just copy it down easily.
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