STEPS TO COMPLETE YOUR CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a legal process that can help you pay off debt and start fresh, financially speaking through a three- to five-year plan. Collecting documents and working through your bankruptcy case takes time and effort on your part to ensure you have the best outcome. There is no shortcut so, be patient and ask questions. The team at Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law can answer any questions and concerns as you step through the process.
Steps to Financial Freedom through Chapter 13
1. Gather the Required Documents for Chapter 13
Gather the required documents listed on the pink sheets 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. You don’t need to see me to dropoff documents.
2. Pay the Fees - In person, via mail or online
Payments can be made in person or mail, by cash, check, or money order. 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.
You can mail checks to the Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law address at the top. 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 by phone or in-person but you must reach me directly to do a debit payment.
3. Complete the required “before filing” Chapter 13 bankruptcy class online
Go to 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 with Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law
At this appointment, you will sign your bankruptcy documents so the case can be filed with the court.
5. Read the documents from Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law and the court
I will send you information about the meeting with the trustee after your case is filed. 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 information.
6. Provide bank statements
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. Pay the trustee
Make the first payment to the trustee no more than 30 days after your case is filed. Failure to make this payment can result in your case being dismissed.
8. Attend the meeting
Appear in person at the meeting with the trustee at the date and time to which you have been assigned at the federal courthouse in downtown Richmond. You must bring a government-issued ID (driver’s license, military ID, state-issued ID card) and proof of your social security number. Your SSN can only be proven with your social security card or a W-2. If the meeting is scheduled on a day you are not going to be in Richmond due to employment requirements, 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 any requested additional documents
Provide to me any additional documents the trustee has requested at your meeting with the trustee if any were requested.
10. Complete the "After Filing" Chapter 13 bankruptcy class online
Complete the 2nd required “After Filing” bankruptcy class online with MoneySharp and pay them $10.
11. Make the required direct payments
Make the direct payments required by your Chapter 13 case. These almost always include your mortgage or rent payments, car payments, furniture payments, and all normal utility payments. If you have a car loan that is being paid through the Chapter 13 plan, it is critical to successfully complete the payment plan or you risk losing the car.
12. Set up monthly auto payments
Set up your monthly payments to the trustee through TFS Bill Pay so that money can be deducted from your bank account and sent to the trustee automatically if you have chosen this option when we met with the trustee. Otherwise, watch to be sure payments start being deducted from your wages. If they do not start with the 2nd pay period after the meeting with the trustee, make another payment to the trustee yourself and notify me that I need to send another copy of the wage order to your employer.
Changes that Require Additional Steps
There are a number of things that you have to do at the end of your Chapter 13 case and we need to be able to reach you by mail, phone, and email at all times. Cases get dismissed if things have gone wrong and we can’t reach you to advise you on how to fix whatever has gone wrong. Here are a few of the changes that require you to take action and avoid having your case dismissed.
- Job Change – If you change jobs, notify me of the new employer’s payroll address and new pay periods if plan payments are payroll deducted. We also need to know when you expect the first paycheck from the new employer.
- Relocation – If you move while your case is in place, please let us know what your new address is so we can file a change of address with the court. All court notices are sent by regular first-class mail.
- Banking Institution – If you change banks during the case, be sure to change the TFS Bill Pay information so the payments are made from the new account.
Bankruptcy can help you take back control of your finances and move forward with your life. Use the form or call 804-706-1355 to schedule a free consultation and find out if filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Chesterfield is right for you.
NEED A CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY IN
CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA? CONTACT US TODAY!
The attorneys at Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law can help you determine if bankruptcy is the right debt relief option for you.
Bankruptcy is a last resort. There may be alternatives that can help you deal with the financial burden. Call us at 804-706-1355 for more information and to find out if bankruptcy is the best option for you.
