Skip to content
Illustrated bankruptcy preparation chart with income, debts, property, court, and timing markers

Bankruptcy preparation checklist

Organize a bankruptcy question before choosing a legal path

Bankruptcy is a federal court process with significant financial and legal consequences. A useful first conversation starts with an accurate household, income, debt, property, collection, and prior-filing overview, not a promise that one chapter is right.

Start My Private Request Review Consumer Safety

Private public pilot: no law firm receives your request while distribution remains closed.

Direct answer

A lawyer needs the complete financial picture before discussing options

A bankruptcy lawyer may review Chapter 7, Chapter 13, non-bankruptcy alternatives, collection lawsuits, foreclosure, repossession, garnishment, taxes, secured debts, and property concerns. Eligibility, exemptions, discharge, timing, and consequences require fact-specific legal advice.

Choose the closest issue

Start with the category that best describes what is happening

The label only organizes the request. It does not decide the legal issue, eligibility, strategy, or outcome.

Chapter 7 questionsPrepare income, household, property, debt, transfer, and prior-filing information without assuming eligibility.
Chapter 13 questionsOrganize regular income, secured debts, arrears, property, lawsuits, and the ability to make a plan payment.
Debt optionsList collection pressure, lawsuits, income, essential property, and goals for a lawyer to compare.
Urgent collection eventRecord any sale, eviction, garnishment, repossession, or court date and seek direct help promptly.

Create a complete inventory

List every debt and property category, not only the urgent bill

Group mortgages, vehicle loans, taxes, student loans, credit cards, judgments, support obligations, leases, and other debts. Also list real estate, vehicles, accounts, business interests, claims, and recent transfers without posting account numbers.

Prepare household income

Income and expenses require an accurate time period

Gather pay, benefit, business, retirement, support, and other income records along with ordinary household expenses. A lawyer can explain which periods and documents apply.

Flag active collection events

Lawsuits, sales, garnishments, and repossessions affect timing

List the court or agency, case status, scheduled event, and latest notice. Do not assume that an online request or a future filing will stop an event.

Before you begin

Build a bankruptcy conversation worksheet

Accuracy matters. Do not hide assets, debts, transfers, income, or prior cases from counsel.

  1. List all debts and collection actions by category.
  2. List property, accounts, claims, and recent transfers.
  3. Prepare household income and ordinary expense records.
  4. Record prior bankruptcy cases and all upcoming legal events.

Public-pilot boundary

Know what happens before you share information

Private and verified. The existing intake asks for general facts and verifies the email address you control.

Not distributed. No law firm receives your request while lawyer distribution remains closed.

No legal relationship. A request is not legal advice and does not create representation or protect a deadline.

One clear starting point

Describe the general facts in a verified private request

Choose the closest legal area, add location and timing, and verify one email address. Keep confidential records and private identifiers out of the form.

Start My Private Request

Public sources

Context from identifiable public institutions

These sources support national context and preparation guidance. They do not replace state-specific legal advice.

Last reviewed: July 22, 2026

Continue with context

Compare nearby categories without opening a second intake or sharing information.

Plain-English answers

Questions before contacting a lawyer

Visible answers match the structured FAQ data on this page.

Can Lawyer Match tell me whether I qualify for Chapter 7?

No. Eligibility depends on detailed financial facts, household information, prior filings, applicable law, and required analysis by qualified counsel.

Can I leave some debts or property out of the conversation?

No. A lawyer needs complete and accurate information. Do not conceal assets, debts, income, transfers, or prior cases.

Does submitting a request stop collection activity?

No. It does not create an automatic stay, file a case, stop a sale or garnishment, or extend a court deadline.

Should I enter account numbers in the request?

No. Use general categories and approximate context only. Keep account numbers, tax identifiers, statements, and login credentials out of the initial request.