Articles

Whether you are facing an individual, family, or business financial issue, bankruptcy may be a possible solution. Before meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer, gathering certain documents and information can help provide a clearer picture of your financial situation and allow your attorney to better evaluate your options.

Documents to Gather When Considering Bankruptcy

The following items are a good starting point:

• Tax Returns
  Please provide complete copies of your most recent tax return, along with returns from the prior two years. If you have any unfiled tax returns, it is important to disclose that information as well.
  
  
• Real Estate Documents
  Gather copies of any documents related to real estate you own, including deeds, mortgages, and property tax bills. Also, check with family members—sometimes parents add children to property deeds for estate planning purposes without fully discussing it. If your name appears on any deed, that information must be disclosed.
  
  
• Monthly Bills and Statements
  Provide copies of at least the last three months of bills and statements, including:
  • Credit card statements
  • Mortgage statements
  • Vehicle loans
  • Utility bills
  • Business or corporate statements, if applicable
    
    
• Contracts and Loan Agreements
  Bring copies of any contracts or agreements you have signed, such as:
  • Car loans
  • Personal loans
  • Business or supplier contracts
  • Contractor agreements
    
    
• List of All Debts
  Prepare a complete list of all debts, even if they are already reflected in your statements. Creating a list often helps jog your memory. Be sure not to forget:
  • Medical or dental bills
  • Money owed to friends or family
  • Online payment plans such as Affirm, Klarna, or similar services
    
    
• Monthly Budget
  Prepare a basic monthly budget showing:
  • Household income after taxes and deductions
  • Monthly living expenses
    
    
• Demand Letters or Legal Notices
  Bring copies of any collection notices, lawsuits, garnishments, demand letters, or other legal correspondence received from creditors.

Additional documents may be required depending on your situation. However, gathering the items listed above will provide your bankruptcy lawyer with a strong starting point to evaluate your financial circumstances and discuss the options available to you.

If you have questions regarding merchant cash advance loan, loan repayments or bankruptcy, contact our bankruptcy attorneys, Mikal J. Krueger at mkruger@mccmlaw.com or 585-512-3546, Lucien A. Morin, II at lmorin@mccmlaw.com or 585-512- 3534 or Douglas J. Lustig at dlustig@mccmlaw.com or 585-546-2500.

This publication is intended as an information source for clients, prospective clients, and colleagues and constitutes attorney advertising. The content should not be considered legal advice and readers should not act upon information in this publication without individualized professional counsel.

About MCCM

McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C. is a full-service law firm based in Rochester, New York, providing high-quality legal services to businesses and individuals since 1979.  With over a dozen attorneys and a full paralegal support staff, the firm is well-positioned to right-size services tailored to each client. We are large enough to provide expertise in a broad range of practice areas, yet small enough to devote prompt, personal attention to our clients.

We represent a diverse range of clients located throughout New York State and New England.  They include individuals, numerous manufacturing and service industry businesses, local governments, and health care professionals, provider groups, facilities and associations. We also serve as local counsel to out-of-state clients and their attorneys who have litigation pending in Western New York courts.  For more information, please contact us at 585.546.2500.