What to Expect in a Bankruptcy Consultation

When someone is considering bankruptcy, any attorney worth their salt will want to conduct an interview with them to determine their specific circumstances and to explain the bankruptcy process. This is called a bankruptcy consultation. In our region, these consultations are usually free.

What can you expect at the consultation? First, the attorney will need to collect personal information about you, such as your contact information and employer. The reason to collect this information is because if you become a client of the attorney, they will need it as part of your file. In addition, many attorney bar associations require, including the Oregon bar and the Washington bar, that attorneys maintain accurate records regarding their clients, and accurate contact information so they may stay in close contact during the pendency of their case.

The attorney will then collect a great deal of specific information about your assets and your debts. They will ask you about your bank accounts and earnings. There will be some cases where it is necessary to provide social security numbers. In all cases, this information is necessary to provide an in-depth analysis of your situation and give you the best advice.

It may seem like some of what the attorney asks for is trivial. For example, potential clients often chuckle when I ask if they have any animals or pets. Yet in bankruptcy, a lot of things matter that many people don’t consider and if a person ends up filing bankruptcy, being completely truthful and open requires disclosure of information that might not mean much in how the case proceeds, but will show that you are being as truthful as possible. Prospective clients are usually concerned about the bigger picture, such as how much debt they owe, but in most cases this doesn’t even matter. Sometimes it is the little questions that don’t seem like a big deal that can make the difference in how a case proceeds.

When clients come to me for a free bankruptcy consultation, I do not tell them what they should do. Rather, I explain all of their options and what would happen in each case. I then let them make the choice about what is best for them and their situation. Everyone is different, and I tailor each consultation to the individuals involved.

To speak to an attorney about Oregon bankruptcy or western Washington bankruptcy, please call (503) 915-1228, or request a consultation through our web form here.