“Hey Christine, how long does this whole Chapter 7 bankruptcy thing take? When can I stop paying my credit cards and loans? When is all my debt erased?”
In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the process from start to finish in United States Bankruptcy Court takes about 4 months. We only need about 6 hours of your time to complete your case. Yes, only 6 hours over the first 30 days to complete your Chapter 7 Las Vegas bankruptcy.
Step 1: Your initial consultation with me will take about 30 minutes. We will discuss your income, your expenses, and your debts. If we decide together that a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the right choice for you, I am going to send you home with some homework to do.
Step 2: Do your homework: gather up your pay stubs, your bank statements, and your tax returns, and give us some background information about your financial history. You will also need to take your first credit counseling class. It’s online, it’s easy, we pay the cost of it for you, and it’s going to take you about 1 hour.
Step 3: My amazing staff helps me in preparing your case. We may call you with a few questions, or we may need another pay stub or bank statement, but we do all the hard work in getting your Chapter 7 bankruptcy ready to be filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Step 4: Visit our friendly offices again in Downtown Las Vegas to review the documents being sent to Court on your behalf, and sign everything. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any additional questions you have about the process.
Step 5: You’re almost finished – we will give you all the information to take your second credit counseling class online. Yes, we pay for that one too – no out of pocket costs to you!
Step 6: Come with one of our experienced attorneys to Court for your 341 Meeting of Creditors. This is where the Bankruptcy Court will ask you about 10 questions. The Court will verify your identity and make sure you read and signed all of your Chapter 7 documents, and the Court will ask you a few other simple questions to understand why you filed bankruptcy.
Step 7: Sixty (60) days after your meeting at Bankruptcy Court, the Court sends you your discharge of debts by mail. My office will also send you a copy too. Be sure to keep us updated on your correct address so you receive a copy in the mail. The discharge means you are no longer responsible for debts like your credit cards, cash loans, medical bills, car repossessions, and other collections.
Step 8: Enjoy your fresh start. Please use credit responsibly as you may only obtain a Chapter 7 discharge once every 8 years. Please Call Christine at (702) 986-0000 with any questions regarding the bankruptcy process.
