OFFICE INTERVIEW. Please bring the following documents to our Houston office for your first meeting with the attorney / lawyer. These documents will help Mr. Weber analyze your case and determine if a bankruptcy filing is appropriate. The information given during the interview will be more specific if these documents are available for review.

1. Creditor List. A list of the name and approximate amount owed on all debts. The creditor list does not need to be fancy. It can be handwritten. Give an estimate if you do not know the exact amount you owe on any particular debt. Creditor addresses or account numbers are not required at the initial meeting, although we will need this information later.

List every debt, including creditors that you may want to continue paying for any reason. The list should contain:

► Secured debts. All debts owed to creditors holding collateral, including home mortgages, vehicle loans, and loans against retirement plans, 401K and IRA accounts.

► Unsecured debts. All debts that are not secured by any collateral, including all taxes (all federal, state and property taxes), credit cards, medical bills, and even debts owed to friends or relatives

► Claims and Contingent Debts. All persons who are or might assert a claim against you for any reason. For example, assume that you were recently in an automobile accident, and the other driver was at fault. The other driver can still sue you for damages and claim that you were at fault. List the name of the other driver as a possible creditor so that we can discuss the issue at the interview.

► Recurring Monthly Bills. You only need to list unpaid debts for recurring monthly expenses such as utility or insurance bills if you are more than 30 days in default on these obligations. If you are current or less than 30 days behind on these kinds of bills, you do not need to include them on the creditor list.

2. Default Letters. If you are in default on a mortgage relating to your home or any land, bring all letters received by the mortgage company or their attorneys.

3. Lawsuits, Garnishments & Levies. All papers relating to any lawsuits, garnishments or levies made against your property.

4. Paycheck Stubs. The most recent paycheck stubs for both you and your spouse. Bring your spouses most recent pay stub, even if she does not intend to join with you in the bankruptcy filing.

5. Divorce Decree. A copy of any divorce decree relating to any former spouse unless all debts that existed at the time you were divorced have been paid in full.

6. Other Important Documents. Any other documents which you may believe are important and want me to review.

The only documents that we normally must have at the first meeting is a creditor list. The remaining documents are helpful, and may permit us to answer many questions that might arise during the meeting. However, it is not absolutely necessary for you to bring all these documents with you for the first meeting. Therefore, please bring all of these items if they are available, but do not delay your consultation if you can not bring them to the first meeting.

In most cases, the following documents will be needed before the bankruptcy case is filed.

• Social Security Card. Evidence of social security number(s), or a written statement that such documentation does not exist.

• Photo ID Card. Valid Driver's License or other photo Identification card.

• Pay Stubs. Copies of all payment advices or other evidence of payment received within 6 calendar months prior to the month in which the case will be filed. If the pay stubs have year to date information for all income and deductions, only two or three pay stubs may be necessary to calculate a six month average of income.

• Education IRA and Qualified State Tuition Programs. A record of any interest in an education individual retirement account or qualified State tuition programs.  The Texas Tomorrow Fund is a qualified State tuition program.

• Federal Income Tax Returns. For three years prior to filing the case.

• Bank and Investment Account Statements. Statements for each depository and investment account, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, mutual funds and brokerage accounts for the time period that includes the date of the filing of the petition.

• Documentation for:

(1) food and clothing expenses if you claim an amount in addition to the IRS allowable amount;

(2) private or public elementary or secondary school expenses, if claimed;

(3) home energy costs in excess of the IRS allowable amount;

(4) special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income

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Page Last Updated:  May 03, 2010