1. Gather the required documents listed on the doument list and return them to the office.  There is a mail slot in the front door if you need to drop documents off when the office is closed. 
  2. Pay the required fees.  Payments can be made in person by cash, check, or money order. You can also mail checks to the address at the top.  The office is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday and Friday from 9 to 3.  Anyone in the office can accept a payment for me.  If you want to stop by outside the hours listed, please call to set an after-hours appointment with me.   You can make a debit card payment using the Payment Button on the bottom of the first page of the website.
  3. Complete the required “before filing” bankruptcy class online at MoneySharp.org.  The attorney code for my office is “Chesterfieldbk.”  You pay MoneySharp the $10 fee.  MoneySharp automatically sends me the credit counseling certificate.
  4. Make an appointment to sign your bankruptcy documents so the case can be filed with the court.
  5. After your case is filed, I will send you information about the meeting with the trustee.  The court will also send you this information by regular postal mail.  Please take the time to read what the court sends you.  The date and time of the meeting with the trustee is in Section 7 of the notice the court sends out.  You will get 2 emails from me before the meeting with more info.
  6. Send or bring in bank statements for all accounts showing the actual balance in the account on the date your case was filed.  You may not have this until shortly before (or even shortly after) your meeting with the trustee.  You can provide online screenshots for the date of filing, but the trustee will require actual bank statements unless the online document includes your name, account number, and the balance on date of filing.  Most of the online screensots are missing one of these.
  7. Appear at the meeting with the trustee at the date and time to which you have been assigned. Due to the COVID pandemic, these meetings are being done by telephone in my office.
  8. If you have not provided a required document, the meeting may be re-scheduled to the trustee’s next date, or be set to be done by telephone in an extreme situation.  This needs to be arranged in advance of the hearing date.
  9. Provide to me any additional documents the trustee has requested at your meeting if any.  You can send them by email, fax, or drop them by the office.
  10. Complete the 2nd required “After filing” bankruptcy class online with MoneySharp and pay them $10. Once this is done, you can expect your discharge roughly 60 days after the meeting.
  11. Enjoy being relieved of the debts that were holding you back!