The Bankruptcy Process: After You File
Seasoned Bankruptcy Lawyer in Topeka, KS
You’ve filed for bankruptcy, so what do you do next? Our Topeka bankruptcy
lawyers can walk you through the next steps and help you seek debt relief.
We will file the petition with the Bankruptcy Court. This will officially
get the case started in court. We post your case to the court online,
so you don’t need to be present.
This filing officially starts the case in court. Call the day after we
file your case to get your case number and filing date from the staff.
This is the information you give to creditors if you are still receiving calls.
Start on your payments if you are in
a Chapter13
About a week after our Topeka bankruptcy attorneys file your petition,
you will receive a notice from the court that your bankruptcy has commenced.
It will have the name and address of the Trustee. If you are in a Chapter
13 repayment plan, immediately make your first monthly payment to the
Trustee. If you do not make a payment within 30 days of filing the petition,
the Trustee will want to dismiss your case.
Remember that it may take up to two months before your income withholding
order goes into effect at work. You are responsible for making the payments
yourself until you see the income withholding order on your paycheck.
Tell creditors that you have filed
The automatic stay protects you against collection efforts. With very
few exceptions, creditors cannot phone, write, or file lawsuits against
you. Creditors are typically notified by mail. It may take a few days
for that notice to get to the right desk. You may get calls for a few
days after we file.
If you are getting contacted after a week or so after filing, you need
to let us know. It means they are not aware of the bankruptcy. It's
important that we get them involved.
Schedule your creditor's meeting
You will receive a "Notice of Commencement". This will contain
your case number, your filing date, and the date of your meeting of creditors
(also called the “341” meeting). This is our opportunity to
review the case with the Trustee, and to make sure everyone understands
what we are trying to accomplish in the case. Creditors can appear, but
in our cases it is rare.
Make a note of the time and date and put it on your calendar. You want
to be there at least 15 minutes before your meeting time, so you can talk
to your attorney. It is natural to be nervous. Don’t worry about
it. The typical creditors meeting lasts about 10 minutes and it is over.
You will be treated professionally by the Trustee, and your attorney can
handle any problems that arise.
Take your second credit counseling course
Before you filed, you took a brief credit counseling course. This first
course is aimed at possible alternatives to filing bankruptcy - debt management
plans, lump sum settlements, and the like.This second course will go into
detail about financial management. It covers how to manage on a cash only
basis, how to rebuild your credit, and how to keep a positive attitude
as you start on your new financial life. You should get this course done
within the next few months.
We partner with Housing and Credit Counseling Incorporated. This agency
provides excellent post-bankruptcy training. HCCI is also a valuable resources
for help in managing your money. You should go to them for help, even
after you take your second course.
File your next tax return on time, and do not spend the refund
You need to file next year’s tax return on-time, and fax a copy
to your Topeka bankruptcy attorney. This is very important. Your case
will not close, and you will not be clear of your debt, until the Trustee
receives your tax return for the year. If you delay, the court may deny
or revoke your discharge, a severe penalty.
Part of your tax refund belongs to the estate. It is not your money until
the court releases it to you. For this reason, you cannot spend any part
of your refund until you get clearance from us. If you spend your refund
without permission, you face denial or revocation of your discharge, or
even felony convictions.
Be prepared for what comes
down the road.
Have more questions?
Contact us for further information.