CHAPTER 7 CASE TERMS, SERVICES AND ADDITIONAL FEES DISCLOSURE

Terms for the Essentials Chapter 7 pricing:

•  You directly pay the credit counseling providers for the two mandatory credit counseling sessions.
• Case must be paid in full and filed within three months of retaining the law firm.
• The fee of $1191.00 includes the court filing fee.
• The fee includes the basic services outlined below.

Terms for the Judgment- Proof Chapter 7 pricing:

• You have had no income (or only Social Security or Social Security Disability income) for the 12 months prior to filing the case and up to the time the case is filed.
• You directly pay the credit counseling providers for the two mandatory credit counseling sessions.
• Case must be paid in full and filed within three months of retaining the law firm.
• The fee of $909.00 includes the court filing fee.
• The fee includes the basic services outlined below.

 

CHAPTER 7 CASE BASIC SERVICES

The following services are basic services common to most Chapter 7 cases.  Some cases will not require all of these services, but such services are considered essential to competent and effective representation of most debtors in Chapter 7.  The attorney fee is designed to include these services.

1. Meet with the debtors(s) to review and analyze the debtor(s)’ financial situation.
2. Counsel the debtor(s) on whether the filing of a bankruptcy case is appropriate and necessary and, if so, whether to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case.
3. Analyze eligibility for discharge.
4. Provide a credit report (bi- or tri-merge) to debtor(s) for creditor analysis and inclusion in case.
5. Advise the debtor(s) of their statutory obligations once a bankruptcy is filed.
6. Evaluate the timing of the filing.
7. Evaluate conflict of interest issues.
8. Explain to the debtor(s) the nature and amount of fees and expenses to be charged and provide written fee agreement.
9. E-file all documents on debtor(s)’ behalf.
10. Prepare and file required documents, including, but not limited to, the schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs and Form B22A Means-Test Calculation and other information required to be filed by section 521(a) of the Code.
11. Handle creditor inquiries.
12. Timely supply requested information to the Chapter 7 Trustee.
13. Advise the debtor(s) with regard to the automatic stay.
14. Take appropriate action with respect to the automatic stay.
15. Appear at and represent the debtor(s) at the 341 meeting of creditors.
16. File any necessary debtor(s) change of address notifications.
17. Represent the debtor(s) in negotiations with the Chapter 7 Trustee.
18. Continue to provide legal advice and information to debtor(s) as necessary through the order of discharge or closure of the case.

 

ADDITIONAL FEES IN SOME CHAPTER 7 CASES

The following services are not common to most Chapter 7 cases.  These services are in addition to the basic fee because they involve increased staff and attorney time and/or additional court or outside service fees to provide competent and effective representation.

Emergency filing = case must be filed within five business days	$350.00
Representation of debtor(s) who are small business owners	$350.00
Cases not filed within three months of retaining the law firm	$50/additional month
Continued §341 meeting of creditors by debtor(s) request	$250.00
§341 meeting of creditors held outside of the Denver-Metro area	$250.00
Filing amended schedules to add omitted creditor(s)	$175.00
Represent debtor(s) at Rule 2004 examination	Hourly attorney rate
Represent debtor(s) in adversary proceeding(s) or hearings	Hourly attorney rate
Real estate motions (abandonment, sale, redemption, lien avoidance, mods.)	$450.00
Conversion to Chapter 13	$525.00
Insufficient funds on check received by debtor	$35.00
Research on legal issue(s)	Hourly rates apply

Services not listed are not included in the fee structure and should be discussed with our attorney(s) to determine the cost involved or whether we provide the service.  St. Bernard Bankruptcy has made every effort to weigh your ability to pay along with the necessary time and expense incurred by our staff in providing competent, advanced legal services.