Steps In Bankruptcy
When contemplating bankruptcy, it is helpful to know what is involved. At Lein Law Offices, our goal is to make the bankruptcy process as simple as possible. In an effort to let you know what to expect, we have assembled the following outline of the steps in bankruptcy.
1. Make An Appointment
- We are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are available after normal work hours, and weekends by appointment.
2. Print The Checklist For Materials To Bring To The Appointment
- Bankruptcy requires full disclosure of your assets, liabilities and any equity you may have. The more information you give us, the faster we can stop garnishments, foreclosures, collections, etc.
- Please print the checklist that shows the materials needed to complete your bankruptcy petition; bring what you can. If a checklist item does not apply to you, you do not need to bring it. A bankruptcy petition lists your assets, liabilities and equity in any assets.
3. Appointment
- This appointment is free. When we first meet with you, we will review your financial information and let you know what your options are. If there is an option that fits your needs, we can begin the preparation of your petition.
4. Credit Counseling: Prefiling
- Prior to filing you will need to complete credit counseling. Credit counseling will cost anywhere from $10 to $25 and can be done over the Internet, in person or telephone. Here is a list of approved credit counseling agencies.
- Once the credit counseling is completed, you will need to send the certificate of completion to us. You can send the certificate of completion to us at:
US Postal Service: Lein Law Offices
P.O. Box 761
Hayward, WI 54843; or,
Fax: 715-634-5051.
5. Review Petition
- When your petition is complete, we will send you a copy. We want you to review the petition thoroughly. Please confirm that all debts have been included. The debts that should be included are both debts that you know about and debts that you may think you have. Our goal is to give you a fresh start at living life debt-free.
6. Sign Petition
- Once the necessary adjustments have been made, we will make an appointment for you to review and sign the petition with us.
7. Petition Filed
- Once signed, we will file the petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Once it is filed, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court will send notices to the creditors, and all collection actions, including, but not limited to, garnishments, foreclosures and harassing phone calls will stop.
8. Meeting Of The Creditors/341 Hearing
- n addition to all collection actions being stopped once we file your bankruptcy petition, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court will send a notice to you and Lein Law Offices regarding the meeting of creditors. The meeting of creditors is a chance for your creditors to object to being discharged. When you sign the petition, we will discuss with you which creditors, if any, will object to being discharged.
- IMPORTANT: Be sure to bring your driver’s license and social security card to your hearing.
- Location:
If you live in: | Meeting Will Be Held In: |
Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, St. Croix Falls, Sawyer County, Taylor, Trempealeau or Washburn County | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Federal Courthouse |
Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, or Viola (Town) County | Common Council Chambers |
Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas or Wood County | Rothschild Village Hall |
Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas or Iron County | Government Center |
Adams, Columbia, Crawford County, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland or Sauk County | Rock County Job Center |
Rock County | U.S. Trustee’s Office |
9. Credit Counseling: Post Filing
- Once you have been to your meeting of the creditors, you will again have to complete credit counseling. The steps are the same as step four above.
- APLC = Approved List of Credit Counseling Agencies
10. Debt Discharge
- When all of your bankruptcy requirements have been met, the Bankruptcy Court will send you a notice of discharge, letting you know your bankruptcy is complete.
Do You Want To Know More? Call Us
If you have read this far, you likely have more questions about bankruptcy, including what kind, if any is right for you. We invite you to call us at (800) 944-3949, or email us to schedule a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your situation.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.