Bankruptcy In One Day

To encourage you to bring EVERYTHING to the Clinic the FIRST TIME, we will charge you an extra $200 to make corrections or add new information to your filed bankruptcy papers because you did not bring to the Clinic on your first visit. Avoid making an extra trip to the Clinic. Do not spend $200 more than you need to spend to get your bankruptcy discharge. Bring all of the information we need to the Clinic on your FIRST VISIT.

Cash, Cashier's Check or Money Order for Fees and Costs

Please bring cash, a cashier's check or money order to pay for fees and costs. Cashier's checks and money orders must be made payable to "The Law Offices of David A. Tilem". The amount to bring for fees will be given to you by the Clinic Secretary when you call to register for the Clinic. The phone number to register is 877-BkIn1Day or 877-254-6132. If you are a single person, the amount to bring for costs is $360. If you are a married couple, the amount to bring for costs is $390.

Identification

Please bring a valid picture identification card issued by the United States government (such as a Military ID card or a Passport), a Passport issued by a foreign government, or identification issued by a State (such as a driving license or ID card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles). We cannot accept other forms of identification.

Social Security Information

Please bring a valid Social Security card or Tax Identification Number letter. If you do not have one of these items, you can bring any tax notice or letter which you have received FROM THE GOVERNMENT which has both your name and your Social Security or Tax Identification number. You can quickly get a replacement Social Security card by going to any Social Security Office. Here is the link to help you locate the nearest Social Security Office: Find a Social Security Office

Property List

Please bring a list of all property and things that you own which have a USED value of more than $200. This list must be as complete and as accurate as possible. If you do not include all your property on the Property List, your bankruptcy case could be dismissed, the Bankruptcy Court could take away your bankruptcy discharge or, in extreme cases, the Bankruptcy Court could ask the FBI to investigate you for bankruptcy fraud. Remember that all of the information you give to us is protected by the attorney/client privilege - we cannot tell anyone what you tell us. If we think that some of your property will cause problems for your bankruptcy case, we will tell you and refer you to the Law Offices of David A. Tilem for a personal meeting with an attorney. Remember that we cannot help you if you do not give us complete and accurate information.

What is a USED value? The USED value is the amount you would get if you tried to sell the item in an auction, such as EBAY, or in a garage sale. It might also be the amount you would have to pay to get another item which is just as old as your item. The USED value is NOT what it would cost you to replace your item with a new one.

To help you make a complete Property List, we have prepared a list of suggested items. This list is not complete. It is designed only to help you remember to include everything you own or which is owed to you. To see the list of suggested items, please click on this link: Property List.

Debt List

You must give us a list of all your debts. This list must include:

1. the name and address of each creditor;

2. the name and address of every collection agency or attorney involved;

3. any account number for the debt;

4. the amount owed;

5. if the debt was created on a single day, the date or, if the debt was created over time, the last date you used the account;

6. a description and value of any property that a creditor could take if you don't pay the debt; and

7. a VERY short description of why you have the debt (3 or 4 words at most).

To help you organize this information, we have created a debt list worksheet.  Please download and print as many copies of this worksheet as you need. Debt List Worksheet

You must include all of your debts EVEN IF you are not sure that it is owed or you believe that the debt is not really owed. If you believe that the debt is not really owed, please add a note to the list telling us why.

You must include all debts even if they are not due right now but will be due some time in the future. Please include a note telling us when this debt will become due.

If someone else is also responsible for paying the same debt, we need to know that other person's name and address. If that person is related to you, we also need to know the relationship.

If the debt is related to something specific which you bought, like a furniture loan or car loan, please tell us what it is related to and make sure that the item is included in the property list.

Budget

To make sure that you are eligible for Chapter 7 and that Chapter 7 will help you as much as possible, we must have a DETAILED list of your monthly expenses. This list must be as complete and accurate as possible. List each item separately. Look at your checkbook or your online bank statement to make sure that everything is included. Don't forget those things which you pay only once each year, such as car registration. Take the annual car registration fee and divide it by 12 to get the monthly contribution. For property taxes, take the annual tax and divide it by 12.

To help you make a complete Budget, we have prepared a list of suggested items to be included. This list is not complete because you may have unusual expenses. It is designed only to help you remember to include everything you spend in an average month. To see the list of suggested items, please click on this link: Budget List.

Paycheck Stubs

Paycheck stubs for all jobs and all earnings in the last six (6) months. We need this information for everyone in the household, even if only one member of the household is filing Chapter 7.

Tax Returns

Copies of the last three (3) federal income tax returns which you have filed. We don't care whether that was 2007 or 1997 as long as they are the most recent returns you have filed. If you have never filed returns we will need to know that. If you filed them but do not have copies, we need to know the years and you will probably be referred to the Law Offices of David A. Tilem so that we can request copies of your returns from the IRS.

Tax Notices

Copies of any letters or notices which you have received from the IRS or from any State tax agency such as the California Franchise Tax Board.

Legal Papers

Copies of any papers from any legal action which involves you. This could be a divorce, a personal injury case, a workers compensation case, an arbitration proceeding, an eviction (unlawful detainer) or a collection lawsuit filed by one of your creditors.

Mortgage or Refinance Papers

Copies of the papers you received and signed when you first got your current mortgage or refinance. We need the entire stack of those papers because it could mean that you have the right to modify or rescind your loan. If you do have that right, you will be referred to the Law Offices of David A. Tilem for a personal consultation with one of our lawyers.

Proof of Marriage

We need proof of your marriage such as a copy of your marriage license or a joint tax return or tax notice. (We are sorry, but federal law does not permit Registered Domestic Partners or same sex couples to be treated as a married couple – each Domestic partner must file his, or her own case).