Bankruptcy attorneys who represent clients in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy have certain services that are included in the flat fee. The services typically include preparation of the bankruptcy petition, statements, and schedules; representation at the meeting of creditors; and review of reaffirmation agreements. Excluded services can vary between bankruptcy attorneys. Some bankruptcy attorneys will exclude representation in adversarial proceedings and require that another representation agreement be signed if that level of representation is required. Other bankruptcy attorneys will exclude representation in adversarial proceedings from their flat fee but include an hourly rate in the agreement for that service.
Bankruptcy Attorney Michael Benavides charges a flat fee that covers the services requried to eliminate debt in a majority of cases. Adversarial proceedings, which are very rare in bankruptcy, and other services not normally required for a discharge are excluded from the flat fee. To learn more about his $900 chapter 7 bankruptcy call Michael Benavides at (707) 200-6688.
Petition, Statements & Schedules
The essential service provided by bankruptcy attorneys is the preparation of the bankruptcy petition, statements, and schedules. The bankruptcy petition itself is a short document. However, the attached statements and schedules can exceed 40 pages. To prepare these documents the attorney will need certain information from you. The attorney will need a list of your property and a rough valuation of the same. Furthermore, the attorney will need a list of your creditors. To help you report creditors the attorney may purchase a credit report. The credit report can include your credit history from 3 different credit reporting bureaus. The 3-source credit report will list known creditors and their addresses which will help you share creditor information with the bankruptcy attorney. You may need to supplement the list of creditors with other creditors not listed in the credit report.
Once the bankruptcy attorney has received this information he or she will draft your documents. (In drafting your documents, the bankruptcy attorney may need to contact you to ask you questions. If you are not answering your phone due to creditor harassment be sure to give the attorney your email address. Email communication can be an effective means of attorney-client communication in bankruptcy.) Once the attorney has drafted your documents you will meet with the attorney to review the completed petition, statements, and schedules. Once you have signed the documents the attorney will electronically file them with the appropriate bankruptcy court. After filing your petition creditors should stop contacting you. To make sure creditors stop contacting you the attorney may send out several notification letters to inform creditors that you have filed for bankruptcy and the automatic stay in bankruptcy obligates the creditor to cease all collection efforts. After sending these notices the bankruptcy attorney will represent you at the meeting of creditors. Once completed your unsecured dischargeable debts should be eliminated in a matter of months in chapter 7 bankruptcy.