The attorneys at the Consumer Bankruptcy Center are committed to helping hard-working Americans take control of their finances, resolving financial problems and finding opportunities to generate income for families who have been wronged by banks, creditors and collection agencies. If you are having trouble managing your debt, our skilled attorneys will counsel you to help you get back on
your feet.

The bankruptcy laws exist to protect people who have fallen on hard times and need to make a fresh start. Bankruptcy does not have to be scary, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, we understand what it’s like to be in your situation. Attorney Majdel Musa was one in your shoes, having filed bankruptcy herself. She is proof that you will not only survive bankruptcy, but you can
thrive after it!

The CBC’s Seven Steps To Bankruptcy

• STEP 1: Complete Bankruptcy Petition Questionnaire

  Bankruptcy Intake Form: Please click here to download and fill out our Intake Form. While our intake is lengthy, it requests information which is necessary to complete your bankruptcy. Fully completing the intake before our initial meeting will make the meeting shorter and help you file bankruptcy faster.
• STEP 2: Gather Required Documents

  Gather Required Documents: Use our List of Required Documents to ensure that you have all the documents necessary for filing bankruptcy. Bringing in all relevant documents for the first meeting will also help you file bankruptcy faster.
• STEP 3: Meet with Us

  Your Meeting with Us: Now you are ready to meet with us. Please contact us to set up an appointment. Remember you must bring with all paperwork from Step 1 and 2 for the meeting to go smoothly.
• STEP 4: Take Consumer Credit Counseling Course

  Consumer Credit Counseling Course: After our first meeting, you are required to complete the requirement of pre-petition credit counseling. The course should last about one hour and can be taken in one or two sessions, and can be easily done online or via telephone. We will set up the course for you and send you instructions. It MUST be completed before you file bankruptcy. The certificate of completion should be emailed to us.
• STEP 5: Second Office Visit

  Second Office Visit: There is a second office visit with us. You will provide us with any changes to your circumstances. You will also review your completed bankruptcy petition. After signing your petition, we will file your bankruptcy that week, and you will receive notice from us of the filing. As soon as your bankruptcy is filed the automatic stay goes into effect. The bankruptcy filing should stop all creditors from harassing you and stop all collection proceedings that creditors may have started against you. If you have a collection agency contact you after your bankruptcy is filed, call our offices immediately, as you may have a claim under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for unfair collection practices. You may be entitled to up to $1,000.00 in statutory damages, plus payment of your reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for a violation. There are also Bankruptcy Court remedies available for violations of the automatic stay.
• STEP 6: Mandatory Post-Filing Financial Management Course

  Mandatory Post-Filing Financial Management Course: Under the Bankruptcy Code, you must also complete post-petition financial management course. Our firm policy is that the second counseling course in financial management be taken, and the certificate be sent to our office, prior to attending the 341 meeting. If the course is not taken and the certificate is not filed, your bankruptcy will be dismissed without a discharge, and you will have to pay additional legal fees and costs to reopen the case.
• STEP 7: The Bankruptcy Court Meeting

  The Bankruptcy Court Meeting: Your next involvement will be attending what is known as the 341 Meeting of the Creditors, which will take place between 4 to 8 weeks after the case is filed. You MUST attend (Remember to bring with your Social Security card and photo id to prove who you are, if you don’t, your case may be dismissed). A Trustee will be conducting the meeting. What to expect at the 341 Meeting.

Congratulations! Once the meeting is over, unless there is an objection or some other issue, the bankruptcy process is essentially over for you. You should receive a discharge from the bankruptcy court about 60 days after the meeting.

After your fresh start, if any creditor or collection agency improperly attempts to collect a discharged debt from you, you have the right to sue them. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, if a debt collector contacts you about a discharged debt you may be entitled to recover up to $1,000.00 in statutory damages from them. If a creditor or collection agency improperly reports a discharged debt on your credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act you may be entitled to compensation as well. There are also Bankruptcy Court proceedings available for violations of the discharge.

Call CBC today at (312) 346-STOP (7867) to schedule your FREE consultation!