Lawrence B. Slater, PLLC
16444 E. Pecos Road
(on Pecos Road, between Greenfield and Higley)
Gilbert, AZ 85295
ph: 480-835-6000
fax: 480-281-9952
lawrence
Be prepared to give the attorney the information he needs to evaluate your situation. You can put the info into an email that the attorney can read so he can quickly give you initial feedback.
Name: Legal name; home address; contact phone; email address. Spouse name. Social security number (the attorney will need this to file).
Secured debts: give estimates for fair market value, debt balance, monthly payment, number of months behind (if any).
House: give separate balances for first, second, third mortgage (if any).
Cars: Describe each vehicle (year, make, model); give info on debt (balance and monthly payment) and fair market value for each vehicle. Use Private Party Value from Kelley Blue Book, on kbb.com.
Other secured debts: Boat, RV, furniture, jewelry, or other property that will be repossessed if you do not pay. Give estimated debt payoff; monthly payment for the debt; and estimated value of the asset.
Unsecured debts:
Credit cards: for each card, the balance, monthly payment, credit available; any amount borrowed in past 90 days; how many months behind (if any).
Medical debts: estimated total; does not need to be itemized in detail yet.
Tax debts: some taxes can be discharged. The attorney needs to know the year for each tax debt; whether it is for income or payroll or some other tax; if the tax return was filed; whether the return was filed at least 2 years ago.
Other unsecured debts: give approximate balances, monthly payments, how far behind in payments.
Valuable assets, other than collateral for secured debts, with values at least $1,000 or more: general description of asset and estimated market value. (Note: market value is what you expect to receive in cash from a buyer on Craig's List this weekend!).
Annual or Monthly income: for client and spouse. (Use average if income fluctuates).
Monthly Fixed Expenses: House payment or rent; car payment; day care or support for children or ex spouse; extraordinary expenses (we will estimate the usual expenese for phone, utilities, insurance, gas, food, etc.)
General information: are you married? Do you have minor or dependent children (how many)? Do you usually receive a tax refund (how much)? Did you file all past tax returns that came due? Did you lose a house or car to foreclosure or repossession recently? When? Do you owe child support? Are the payments current?
It is usually helpful to organize this info into a spreadsheet so you have it all handy in a format that is easy to read, and easy to add changes and corrections.
Copyright 2010-2013 Lawrence B. Slater, PLLC. All rights reserved.
Lawrence B. Slater, PLLC
16444 E. Pecos Road
(on Pecos Road, between Greenfield and Higley)
Gilbert, AZ 85295
ph: 480-835-6000
fax: 480-281-9952
lawrence