how long does it take to file chapter 7 bankruptcy in philadelphia

Before You Decide to Move Forward with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, You Need to Become Familiar with All

the Finer Details of the Process; this Includes a Basic Idea of How Long It Will Take to File, as well as the

Steps that You Need to Follow Along the Way

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FILE CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY

IN PHILADELPHIA?

DAVID M. OFFEN PHILADELPHIA BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY

http://www.getfreeofbills.com/

How Long Does it Take to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Philadelphia? www.getfreeofbills.com 3

While nobody wants to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there may come a time

in your life where this is the best decision you can make. It is going to

change your financial life in many ways and in the long run it could be one

of the best decisions you ever make.

Before you decide to move forward with Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you need

to become familiar with all the finer details of the process. This includes a

basic idea of how long it will take to file, as well as the steps that you need

to follow along the way.


Remember, there is nothing simple about filing bankruptcy. This holds true

regardless of if you are considering Chapter 7 or another type. With

paperwork to be filed as well as decisions to make, this can become

challenging process.

Tip: by hiring a bankruptcy attorney, you can avoid a lot of the stress

associated with the filing process. An experienced legal professional knows

the ins and outs of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including which steps to take

and how to fill in all the required paperwork.

Before we go any further, it is important to note that you should make a

decision as soon as possible. The sooner you start the filing process the

sooner the automatic stay will protect you. By law, the automatic stay

prohibits creditors from contacting you. This means that you will not have

to worry about collection efforts for the time being.

Note: the Chapter 7

bankruptcy process

differs from one state

to the next. This is

another reason why

you need to hire a local

attorney who has

knowledge of state

bankruptcy laws.


Generally speaking, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a straightforward process. If

you have an attorney on your side and follow along with the right steps,

you will eventually reach the end.

Step 1: Before filing, you must complete a mandatory credit counseling

course online or via telephone. This may not be something you want to do,

especially if you know that Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you, but it is

required nonetheless.

Step 2: Hire an attorney who can help you file the appropriate bankruptcy

forms for your state. In these forms, you will list all of your property and

creditors along with

financial information

covering the past two

years. It is important

to be as accurate as

possible with all of

the information you

provide.

Step 3: Supply a

copy of your most

recent income tax return to your lawyer who is required to supply the same

to the bankruptcy trustee. At the same time, the trustee may require


additional information from you. Your lawyer will guide you with anything

else that the trustee requests.

Step 4: Approximately 30 days after you file, you will attend a creditors’

meeting. At this meeting, the trustee is in charge. Although creditors

usually do not appear, this is not out of the question. At this meeting, you

will answer questions, under oath, pertaining to the information you have

supplied. Your attorney will appear with you at this hearing, and you will

feel more comfortable with a

professional by your side.

Step 5: Within 45 days of your

creditors’ meeting, you will attend

budget counseling either by phone

or online. You are then required to

provide the court with a certificate of

completion, letting them know that

this step has been satisfied.

Step 6: At this point, you will sit back and wait for the court to send you

written notification of which debts have been discharged. You can expect

this to happen within two to three months of the creditors’ meeting. During

this time if you have nonexempt property, you can be contacted by the

trustee and asked to turn over any nonexempt property. Your attorney will

be able to advise you early on if you have any non-exempt property that


the trustee can require to be turned over. In most cases, there will be no

property which needs to be turned over to the trustee.

These are the six basic steps associated with filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

There is a good chance that these steps will not be exactly the same for

you, since the process is not identical in each state. However, as long as

you are working with a qualified

attorney you don’t have to

concern yourself with the details

of each step. You know you will

be in good hands throughout

the process.

Within six months, at the most,

your bankruptcy filing should be

complete and you will be in

position to move on with the rest of your life. It is your hopes that you are

now in a better financial position, and ready to make the right decisions in

the future.


About the Author

David M. Offen

A native to the Philadelphia area, Mr. Offen attended Temple University College and Law

School. Mr. Offen is licensed to practice in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a

member of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference and the National

Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

David M. Offen has over 20 years of experience and has helped over 8,500

individuals and families go through the Bankruptcy process. These filings have included

stopping foreclosure on a home, stopping repossession of a car or vehicle, stopping IRS tax

levies and frozen bank accounts and putting a stop to; lawsuits, credit card bills, personal loan,

bills, utility shutoffs and other types of debt.

With Mr. Offen’s help, these families have saved countless millions of dollars of debt.

David enjoys getting to know his clients and will be happy to answer any and all questions you

may have. You are treated as a person and not a number.

Remember – there is no such thing as a silly question. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you

may have. David M. Offen has found that people looking to file Bankruptcy are not trying to

avoid their responsibilities but rather to make a difficult situation easier. David enjoys getting

people to stop worrying and making their financial lives much better and stop feeling

overwhelmed.

In some cases, Bankruptcy is not the best move and he can review your situation with you and

tell you the right move for you to make. Get a completely free evaluation of your situation. For

the past 20 years, the Law Offices of David M. Offen has been among the top filers of

bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Law Offices of David M. Offen

www.getfreeofbills.com

The Curtis Center

601 Walnut Street, Suite 160 West – 1st Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 625-9600

http://www.getfreeofbills.com/