Your First Meeting With a Bankruptcy Lawyer – What Do You Bring?

One of the consequences of the new bankruptcy law has to do with the increased obligation on the part of both the lawyer and our clients to provide extensive documentation to the trustee and the courts.  Since much of this documentary information is mandatory, your filing will be delayed if we do not produce it at the time of filing.

The information you will need to have on hand will vary based on where you file.  In the Northern District of Georgia, which includes Atlanta, Newnan, Rome and Gainesville, we have a number of local rules that call for specific documents.

By contrast, there are different local rules for filings not in the northern district.

The Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia is the appropriate venue for debtors in Macon, Columbus, Athens and surrounding towns.  The Southern District includes Savannah, Waycross, Augusta, Statesboro and Dublin.  Pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, you are required to file bankruptcy in the district where you have lived for the greater part of 180 days (i.e. 3 months and 1 day).   There are special calculations that we would do if you have moved several times in a short period of time.

In addition, the new Code limits your bankruptcy protection if you move from one State into another State.  If you now live in Georgia but moved from out of State within the last two to three years, make sure to make your lawyer aware of your move.  Even if you have been in Georgia for a year or longer, laws from your previous state may apply in your case as Congress has attempted to stop people from “venue shopping.”