BANKRUPTCY
ROADMAP
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The documents listed below are necessary to complete your file:
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Completed bankruptcy intake form. Click here to download.
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Driver's license (color)
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Social security card
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The last 2 years of federal and state taxes. All pages, all forms. NOT PASSWORD PROTECTED
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Click here to request your "TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT" online, or call 800-908-9946.​
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Pay stubs for the last six months, or proof of income
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Bank account statements for the last 90 days. ALL ACCOUNTS (include CHIME, Venmo, PayPal, cash app, FSA accounts, etc). ALL PAGES
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A copy of the Deed to your house. (if applicable)
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A copy of your Vehicle title and insurance (if applicable)
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Your most recent vehicle statement from the lender (if applicable)
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Business Owners: Profit and Loss Statements for the last 6 months (if applicable)
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These documents can be sent to our office via:
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Secured Portal: Check your email for a link
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Fax: 810-275-1281
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We will not accept .jpg files or pictures from your phone. All files must be PDF format, in-focus, clear, and something you would be okay presenting to a federal court.
No scanner? Please DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AT FEDEX. Download the free app, "Genius Scan" for your phone. It has a nice batch function and makes PDF files. Or, you can visit your local library. They have computers that are free for your use. See the information below:
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Nashville computers available: https://library.nashville.org/branch-amenities/Laptop%20Checkout%20
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Detroit computers available: https://detroitpubliclibrary.org/computer-usage
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Flint computers available: https://fpl.info/about-us/how-do-i/
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Memphis computers available: https://www.memphislibrary.org/about/technology-available/
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Files may NOT be password-protected
Your Driver's license must be in color.
IS YOUR CASE FILED?
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YOUR CASE IS NOT FILED AND THERE IS NO CASE NUMBER, until:
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You have completed all of the above,
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You have fully paid for your legal services,
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I have sent you a draft copy of your petition,
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You have reviewed it and electronically signed it on the portal, and
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I have emailed you a copy of your FILED petition along with your case number and further instructions.
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Also:
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You are not protected from your creditors just by paying me some (or all) of the fee.
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You are not protected from your creditors when you take your class.
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You are not protected from your creditors just because you signed your completed papers...
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...although all of these things are important requirements.
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You are only protected when, *after* all that happens, I file your signed papers with the court and you have a case number from me...
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...so it's in your best interest to make all the above happen as fast as possible.
YOU RECEIVED YOUR CASE NUMBER, NOW WHAT?
Once your case is filed and you receive your case number, if a creditor calls you should tell them:
"Please don't call me again. I'm filing bankruptcy. My lawyer is Michael Hollins. His phone number is (866) 862-4557."
Likewise, I will ask you to provide additional documents, as requested by the Trustee to whom we're assigned.
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Financial Management Course:
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Once your case is filed you will need to log back into www.moneysharp.org to take a Financial Management course. This course will be free to you and is required by the bankruptcy court. Please take this course within 5 days of receiving your case number.
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Your Trustee Meeting Of Creditors:
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Roughly 30 days after we file your case, you will appear at your 341(a) Meeting of Creditors and Trustee Meeting.
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​Generally, no creditors appear; this is very rare.
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At your meeting, you will be placed under oath and asked questions by the Trustee who is assigned to your case. When your case is filed, I will email you a list of typical questions asked by the Trustee.
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This meeting is non-confrontational and civil. You will not be yelled at or threatened or shamed.
Prior to your meeting please read the following documents:
Click here to read the Bankruptcy Information Sheet
Click here to read the Video Transcript
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Discharge
Roughly 60 days after your meeting, the Court will issue your discharge. I will email you a copy, and you will receive a copy by mail a few days later. KEEP THIS DOCUMENT. It is among the most important documents in your case.
Case Closing
A few days after your discharge, your case will close. I will let you know by email once your case closes.
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My contact information:
Attorney Michael Hollins
Email: attorney@hollinsbankruptcy.com
Local Numbers below: