What Happens During the Initial Consultation?

Calling a bankruptcy attorney can be a nerve-wracking decision. You feel like a failure just for considering it, right? Because the process is so stressful, I thought I would give you an idea of what to expect during an initial consultation with me. At the beginning of each consultation, you’ll have the chance to read over and sign an initial consultation agreement, which outlines the scope of the meeting and that there is no charge associated with the one-hour consultation. There are also two disclosures that go along with the initial consultation agreement and these disclosures are required under bankruptcy law.

Emotional Feelings
First, I understand that it’s hard to think about and talk about a possible bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is just one of the tools out there to help you deal with a problem and get you back on the right track. There is nothing shameful about using a legal avenue to reorganize your situation and create a better future for you and your family. My approach is to help you feel comfortable talking to me about your situation so we can come up with the best possible solution.

Documentation to Bring to the Initial Consultation
Usually, I will ask you to bring some financial information to the meeting and I will send that list to you in an email prior to the meeting. The most important documents include your recent paystubs (at least for the last two months), your most recent income tax return, mortgage statement, a list of your debts, and the details of any lawsuits that have been filed against you (usually for an unpaid debt, like a credit card).

The Discussion
We will talk about the problems you’re facing and what prompted you to call me. You may have received a foreclosure notice or been served with a lawsuit for a credit card debt. Or, you may be facing a job loss or reduced income. It is important for me to understand the difficulties you are facing so we can come up with a solution that addresses as many of the issues as possible.

The Solution
After we talk about your financial situation and look over the documents you brought in, we will start going over possible solutions to take care of the problems you’re facing. There may be several things we can do and you will always have the option to choose your path. I will tell you what you can expect with each option and if there are any special considerations, such as timing or problems that may arise.

The Conclusion
At the end of the meeting, there will be no pressure to immediately do anything. I will provide you with a folder with a copy of the forms that you signed at the beginning of the meeting and a copy of my fee agreement if you should decide to hire me to implement the solution we discussed.

This is just a basic overview and is not legal advice specific to your situation. If you are considering bankruptcy or are feeling overwhelmed by debt, you should speak with an attorney in your area for legal advice. To speak with me regarding your situation, please email me at jen@jenleelaw.com or call 925-586-6738.