A lot of bankruptcy attorneys offer a free first meeting. People often avoid booking one because it feels like a commitment, or because they are embarrassed, or because they assume they will be sold something.
It is worth reframing. You are interviewing them.
What to bring
- A rough list of who you owe and how much — it does not have to be perfect
- Recent pay information for everyone in the household
- What you own: house, car, retirement accounts
- Any court papers, garnishment notices, or lawsuits
- The thing you are most afraid of losing, written down so you actually ask about it
If you have none of this, go anyway. “I do not know” is a legitimate answer and they will tell you how to find out.
Questions worth asking
“Do you think I should file at all?” The answer you want is a real assessment, not an immediate yes. Attorneys who tell people not to file when filing is wrong are the ones you want.
“Which chapter, and why that one for me specifically?” Listen for reasoning tied to your circumstances rather than a general description.
“What is your total fee, what does it cover, and what is not included?” Court filing fees and the required counselling courses are usually separate. Ask what happens if something goes wrong and extra work is needed.
“Can I pay over time?” Many will arrange this. It is a normal question and nobody will be surprised.
“Who will I actually be dealing with?” In some firms you meet the attorney once and then deal only with staff. That is not necessarily bad, but you should know before you sign.
“What is likely to happen to my house and my car?” The thing you are most frightened of deserves a direct answer.
What a good meeting feels like
You should leave understanding your options better than when you arrived, even if you decide not to file. You should not feel rushed, and you should not feel judged. If you do, that is information — see someone else. Talking to two or three attorneys is completely normal and costs nothing when the consultation is free.
On the embarrassment
Every single person in that office has heard this story before. You are not the worst case they have seen this week, or even today. Whatever you are bracing for them to think, they are almost certainly thinking about which chapter fits your income.