Maximizing Your Bankruptcy Success

Many people view bankruptcy as a passive process, leaving all the effort and responsibility in the hands of others. The truth is that there are several things you will need to do, and some things to avoid, to ensure you have the best chance at a successful debt discharge.

Be honest when filing your petition  — don’t attempt to hide or conceal information about your debts, assets, or income. Hiding information or lying can put you at risk of a case dismissal and even suspicions of fraud.

List everything on your petition — you must list all of your creditors, even money owed to a family member and all sources of income, funds and wages.

Have documents organized — organize your financial statements, debt accounts, paycheck stubs and past tax returns in case your Fort Worth bankruptcy lawyer or the court needs them for reference.

Complete the requirements — obtain your credit counseling certificate and provide it to the court as soon as possible. Be sure to also pay the necessary court filing fees.

Refrain from unusual spending or payments — keep your financial transactions consistent in the months leading up to and during your bankruptcy. Making extra payments to your debts or accumulating more debt can jeopardize your case and could make you ineligible for bankruptcy.