Northbrook
Bankruptcy Attorney in Northbrook
Most people who file for bankruptcy do so when they realize they’re no longer able to meet their financial obligations. At Cutler & Associates, Ltd., we often work with clients who suffered financial setbacks due to no fault of their own. Our clients in the Northbrook, IL area file for bankruptcy because of unexpected medical bills, disability, divorce, job loss, or the death of the family’s primary wage earner. Regardless of your reason for considering bankruptcy, we have one universally applicable piece of advice: Don’t wait too long. Bankruptcy isn’t just a last resort option—it’s a tool you can use to overcome financial challenges.
Taking the First Step Toward Financial Freedom
Your first step is a phone call to request your free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. You’re under no obligation to move forward with this legal action. Instead, consider your consult to be an exploratory meeting, during which your attorney will become familiar with your financial situation. At this meeting, you can expect to:
- Learn about the two primary types of bankruptcy
- Figure out if bankruptcy is right for you
- Learn what to expect if you file for bankruptcy
- Learn what to expect from life after bankruptcy
- Learn about the pre-filing and post-filing requirements
What to Bring to Your Bankruptcy Consultation
Initial consultations are usually fairly brief, so get the most out of your time by being prepared. You can always ask the office staff about specific items you should bring. In general, your bankruptcy attorney will want to look at:
- Your recent tax returns
- Court orders (including divorce decrees and child support orders)
- Recent bank statements
- Vehicle titles
- Bills from all creditors
- Files regarding previous or current litigation (including lawsuits and judgments)
- Lease or mortgage
- Promissory notes
- All insurance policies
- All correspondence with creditors and collections agencies
- All documents regarding your debts
- Most recent paystubs
Expect to answer questions, such as whether you have any dependents. Your lawyer will also need to know whether you’ve previously filed for bankruptcy, and if so, when.
What to Do After Your Bankruptcy Consultation
Some follow-up questions may occur to you after your consultation. Write these down to bring to your next meeting. Your lawyer may ask you to fill out some forms or dig up some documents. Try to complete these tasks as soon as possible so that your attorney can offer further guidance if needed. You can take as long as you need to decide whether to file for bankruptcy, but bear in mind that circumstances change, which means that your legal recommendations might change too.