How it works
From the first call to a fresh start
Every case goes through the same six steps. Here's what happens, and who does what.
- 01
You call or write
Tell us what's going on in a sentence or two. We set a time for your free first meeting, at the office or by video.
- 02
We meet for 45 minutes
Bring your pay stubs and any letters from creditors. We go through it together and you leave with a plan and a price.
- 03
You take a short course
The law asks for a credit counseling course before filing. It takes an hour or two, online or by phone.
- 04
We draft and file
We write up your petition, read it with you, and file it. From that day, most collection has to stop.
- 05
You meet the trustee
About a month later, a trustee asks a few questions under oath. It's short, and one of us is beside you.
- 06
Your debts are discharged
After a second short course, the court discharges the debts that qualify. For Chapter 13, that comes when the plan ends.
Your first meeting
What the first meeting is like
It's a conversation, not a sales pitch. One of our three lawyers sits down with you, usually at the kitchen-table end of our office, and asks what you owe, what you earn and what worries you most.
If bankruptcy is the answer, you'll leave with your fee in writing. If it isn't, we'll tell you what to do instead.
What to bring
Your last two months of pay stubs
Any letters or court papers from creditors
Your last tax return, if you have it
Take the first step
It's 45 minutes, it's free, and you'll know where you stand.