Member, National Association
of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys


Member, National Association
of Consumer Advocates

OUR FIVE STEP PROCESS

The procedure of bankruptcy couldn't be more straightforward than it is at GANDY LAW OFFICES, P.C. It's a logical five step process.

You will have our undivided professional attention each step of the way.

1. The first step is an Initial Consultation, "IC" for short, with Attorney Gandy, in person or over the phone. In that consultation we will review your financial situation and give you sound, competent advice on what are your options. Even if together we decide that a bankruptcy fresh start isn't the right thing for you, we will point you in the right direction. If you decide that getting a fresh start through the bankruptcy process is the right choice for your situation, then we will quote you a very reasonable standard fee based on how we understand your situation. One thing is for sure-- you're guaranteed to end up with more insight about your situation than you had when you started.
   
   
2. The second step is an information gathering appointment, sometimes called a Questionnaire Setup, or "QS" for short. You will meet with one of our lawyers or legal assistants, again over the phone or in person, who will go over a Fresh Start Worksheet with you and work with you to fill out our copy of the worksheet. This Fresh Start Worksheet asks you for all of the information we will need to file a Bankruptcy Petition with the Bankruptcy Court. We can also accomplish this information gathering step by mailing you the Fresh Start Worksheet and going over it with you by telephone. You can feel free to call us with any questions in going through it.
   
   
3. The third optional step is to gather any additional information needed for the Fresh Start Worksheet and to go over it again with us to make sure it is all complete and correct. We sometimes call this step a Questionnaire Review, or "QR" for short. Usually, we can combine steps 2 and 3 together, but it is sometimes helpful to have this second chance to pull all the information together and double check that it is accurate. Again, we can also accomplish this step in person or by telephone.
   
   
4. The fourth step is what we call the Final Signing, or "FS" for short. The name of the appointment is fairly explanatory as to what it is all about. The final signing is held when all of the information has been gathered from you and your balance owed to Gandy Law Offices is paid in full. In this step you will review the Bankruptcy Petition that is to be sent for filing to the United States Bankruptcy Court. As the petition is prepared in the meeting, we will also prepare and guide you on the process that will be taking place from filing the petition to when your case is closed. By the end of the Final Signing, you should have a good idea of what's going to happen next, when it is going to happen and why. This meeting should end with you feeling a whole lot lighter and less stressed.
   
   
5. The fifth and usually final step in the five step process is for you to attend a meeting of creditors at the federal hearing location to which you are assigned. (See the Iowa Map here). After this step, if everything goes smoothly, all you have to do is wait (around 60 days) to receive a court order in the mail saying that your dischargeable debts have been forgiven. The meeting of creditors will happen about 20-40 days from the date we file your Petition with the Court. It is a very short hearing usually lasting 5 to 10 minutes. (However, you need to plan on being there for up to an hour while you wait your turn.) Bankruptcy is a federal proceeding that cannot be filed in local Iowa District courts at the county level. That is why you need to go to your hearing location. We can provide directions for each location and we will be happy to tell you how to get there. Usually, your creditors will not bother to send representatives to this meeting. Usually, you will simply answer a few questions and go home! Even so, you can count on the fact that Gandy Law Offices will have one of our associate lawyers there to represent you at the meeting.