It is not essential that you bring any documents to your free initial consultation with Mr. Fisher. However, you should come prepared to explain in detail the nature of the debt problems you hope to solve ("save my house" or "eliminate my debts"). Additionally you should be prepared to provide Mr. Fisher with a reasonable estimate of the type and amount of your debt, and reasonable approximation of your income from all sources for at least the past six (6) months.
Should you decide to proceed with a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the following is a list of documents you should provide to Mr. Fisher in order for him to best advise you and prepare your case. Some of the documents may not be applicable to every client, and others may be unavailable. Each client should make every effort to provide Mr. Fisher with all documents on the list which apply to them. It may be possible to proceed with your case without copies of some of the listed documents. The Bankruptcy Code requires production of documents supporting the amount of income acquired from all sources for the 6 months preceding the filing of the case. The Code also requires that tax returns for the most recent 4 years be produced. Tax returns or transcripts can be obtained from the IRS and Department of Revenue if necessary, and most employers can reproduce proof earnings if a client has not retained all of their paystubs.
(1) Paystubs for the current month and the six months preceding the current month;
(2) Documentation of all income from any source other than a salaried job (such as
self-employment income, retirement, social security, alimony or child support);
(3) State and federal tax returns, including W-2s, 1099s, and all schedules to the returns for the last four (4) years.
(4) Copies of bills for all of your debts (copies of bills for utilities and ordinary household expense are not necessary);
(5) A copy of your most recent statement for each banking, savings or checking account maintained by you.
(6) A copy of your most recent statement for any investment account of any kind maintained by you.
(7) A copy of your most recent statement for any type of retirement account, including defined benefit plans (employer pays regular monthly check), 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, SEP IRA plans, SIMPLE IRA plans, regular or Roth IRAs and any other retirement account of any kind.
