Does this seem like OVERKILL from my lawyer???

[LSUTiger32]

This is very similar to what I just put together. I went Wednesday and this all done by Friday. If you keep decent records you can get it done. It's a lot, but a lot of it you have laying around. Also, a lot of stuff I got off the internet sites of the places (utility bills, credit card statements, etc.)

[NoMoreCards]

WOW!! Thanks for your responses! I've been reading the forum for 8 mths now, but don't recall seeing this HUGE of a list :0. I can barely afford an attorney, no less the cost of getting all this info together. I mean really, I have to PAY for an appraisal of my home that I can't sell and will most likely lose???

My attorney allowed me to use zillow.com for a rough estimate of property value, as I was not close to the exemption amount. You might want to ask about that. Also, with the utilities I only gave a number (after calling the utility companies and getting the dollar amount I spent in the previous year)
The list is intimidating, but it will go fairly quickly once you get into it. If you have online access to your accounts, it makes it easy to print up statements and such.

Good luck. You will get through it.

[Tbornetun]

I wouldn't go as far as to pay for an appraisal. Just have a local realtor do a market analysis. The attorney should be able to work with that.

[LDL]

WOW!! Thanks for your responses! I've been reading the forum for 8 mths now, but don't recall seeing this HUGE of a list :0. I can barely afford an attorney, no less the cost of getting all this info together. I mean really, I have to PAY for an appraisal of my home that I can't sell and will most likely lose???

[2Bshinyandnew]

Yep. This list is very similar to what my husband and dad had to provide their attorney's in order to file.

[goingcrzy]

We had to provide all of that information. I think it depends on your local area. One thought - if you are high income, or high debt, you may want to find an attorney that has been practicing bk for some time. You don't want to battle the UST with a first timer.

Good Luck!

[LuciluS]

Yep! Our BK Attorney did not ask for 6 mths. of utility bills, on 2 months bank statements, didn't ask for the credit card statements, but did require a list of when CC were opened, any charges over $500 and Balance Transfers (where they went..to another CC or into our checking account) He is doing all the copying of our past 2 years tax returns and any other copying that needs to be done like legal paper as my copier will only print 8 1/2 X 11.

He is charging $1,300 which does not include the 2 bankruptcy classes. However, it does include 2 reaffirmations and his attendance at the 341 hearing.

[NoMoreCards]

This looks very similar to the things I needed to provide to my atty for him to prepare and file the paperwork.

The only difference I see is the insurance information.

[LDL]

I found a lawyer that I like after talking to 3 or 4 of them in ~ 8 mths time. This one had sent me a letter introducing himself with a link to his website and I was impressed. My main concern was that even though he'd been a lawyer for 25 yrs, he is only just now getting into BK's. I had spoke to him twice on the phone and was ready to retain his services. He sent me an email / link last weekend to a website to fill out all my info and he also had a link to a list of documents that he will need from me.

After going to the site (MyCaseInfo) and reading the intial disclaimer(?), I noticed a statement on there to the effect that I need to get something from my Attorney stating what services he's going to perform for my $XX amount of money he'll be charging me. So on Monday morning I called his office and left a message asking about a Retainer Agreement (does his fee include an AP, etc.) and also what days does he file (in case he only files once a week or less).

It's now been 4 days and he has not gotten back to me. Now that wouldn't be my biggest problem as I realize things come up, but then this morning I noticed his link to the list of items for me to bring to our 1st meeting and I was flabbergasted to say the least! Tell me if I'm wrong, but does this seem excessive to anyone? I'm thinking that he's asking for all of this due to the fact he's NEW to this area of law?! I can see some of the stuff, but to me it looks like OVERKILL and I'm not in the mood with all that I've got going on right now. I'm starting to think that I may have to file Pro Se .

Bankruptcy Document Check List

Please provide the following documents (where applicable) to our next meeting so we can prepare the bankruptcy petition.
1. 6 months of paycheck records.

2. 6 months of bank account statements.

3. Copies of titles to all motor vehicles.

4. Copies of recorded mortgage and deed for all real property. These documents are normally obtained from the Recorder's Office for the county where the real property is located.

5. Copies of any and all lease agreements, including motor vehicle leases, rent-to-own property, contracts, etc.

6. A copy of appraisals made within the past 12 months for all real property. If you are buying or own any other real property, and it has not been appraised within the past 12 months, you must pay for an appraisal prior to filing bankruptcy.

7. Copies of any lawsuits, foreclosures, judgments, liens or garnishments filed within the past two (2) years.

8. Summaries of all insurance policies including life, disability insurance, homeowners, renters, motor vehicles or any other insured assets. Include any "riders" which cover any specific items of personal property with insured values.

9. Income tax returns for the past 2 years.

10. Account statements for retirement accounts, IRAs, 401Ks, etc.

11. Separation agreements, divorce decrees or support obligations.

12. Credit card statements, security agreements, financing statements and any personal property leases.

13. Copies of credit reports from all at least one credit reporting agency: Equifax, TransUnion or Experian. Under law, you are entitled to one free credit report per year which you can obtain online at:

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/

14. Stock certificates, bonds, credit union and passbook savings accounts and statements evidencing investments or savings.

15. Documents verifying interest in any future property (such as an inheritance.)

16. Consumer credit counseling certificates. If you have not obtained your credit counseling, you may obtain it online at: http://www.yourbankruptcypartner.com..._certificates/

17. Copies of any previous bankruptcy cases filed within the past eight (8) years.

18. Copies of the most recent statement from any educations IRS and/or Tuition Trust account.

19. Copies of the most recent statements from any student loans.

20. List of prior addresses you have lived at within the past three (3) years.

21. Copies of utility bills for the past six (6) months.

22. Driver's license or other identification card which provides verification of your social security number.

23. Any documents relating to a "disabled veteran" status.

24. A budget showing current income and all monthly expenses.

25. A completed set of MyCaseInfo forms should be completed. In no circumstance should your credit report be used in place of the completed forms. Your credit report should be used as a guide to make sure all your debts are included.

We do not want to retain the original of your documents, so please either copy them or scan them into PDF format and place on a CD-Rom prior to our meeting.

Thank you.