Filing Bankruptcy in Covington: Tips for a Painless Petition Process
By Acena and Aaron Beck | Published on May 7, 2012 | 0 Comments
The decision to file bankruptcy is an extremely difficult one for most people. But sometimes, the only way to save your car, house and peace of mind is to go forward with a bankruptcy. What is the most important thing you should do before filing bankruptcy? Proceed with caution. Many people attempt to file on their own, or else fall prey to disreputable debt consolidation companies in a last-ditch attempt to save their house, car or other assets.
The first thing you should do to make bankruptcy as easy and painless as possible is meet with a qualified attorney who will go over all your options and guide you through the complex process of filing a bankruptcy petition. Aaron Beck, a Covington bankruptcy lawyer with The Beck Firm, says that every case is different and needs to be handled with care. During the first consultation with a client, Beck takes the time to talk to clients and go over all their options.
“We’re going to discuss their options and decide what’s best for them,” says Beck. “And there is no real broad brush as far as Chapter 7 will always be the best option, or Chapter 13 will always be the best. It’s really going to be on a case-by-case basis.”
Once a client decides that bankruptcy is the best option, the Covington bankruptcy attorney takes great care to put together the most accurate and complete petition possible. “If you decide to retain me, then you’re going to get a packet of information from me that you need to get together,” says the Covington bankruptcy lawyer. Becks asks clients to gather six months of pay stubs, six months of bank statements, copies of property deeds and mortgage loan documents, copies of car titles, and copies of the previous two year’s tax returns.
“Once you return those documents to me, the bankruptcy petition will be prepared. After it’s prepared, you’re going to come in and meet with me, and we’re going to go over it, line by line, making sure everything is correct,” he says.
Beck’s hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail sets him apart from other Covington bankruptcy lawyers. “At some law firms, that last process can be done by a paralegal or a staff member, not an attorney. I do it myself, and I do it in great detail. This ensures that it is done correctly,” he says.
Beck says there are several common mistakes that people make when they attempt to file for bankruptcy without the help of a Covington bankruptcy lawyer. This includes failing to claim an exemption properly. “An exemption is what allows you to keep property after you file bankruptcy,” says Beck. Another mistake? Not understanding the questions that are being asked in the petition, which can lead people to not properly disclose assets or characterize debts improperly. Some people may also face a serious obstacle when they attempt to file bankruptcy, only to find that the mortgage on their house or lien on their vehicle has been filed incorrectly. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed before filing a bankruptcy. “It may cost you,” says Beck. “You may lose a car or house that you need to work or raise your kids.”
If you are seriously considering bankruptcy, it’s time to sit down with an experienced Covington bankruptcy lawyer to go over your options, says Beck. Contact the Beck Firm for help filing bankruptcy and find your way to financial relief.
Covington, KY 41011
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.