To file for bankruptcy you will need to follow these steps to gather the documentation that you will need to submit to file for bankruptcy, these including but may not be limited to the following:

• Financial statements
• List of creditors and debts
• Summary of your assets
• Proof of income
• Income tax returns
• Copies of current leases or contracts
• Credit counseling certificate of completion
• Form 22A or 22C

This is a summarized list of documents needed to ensure you are prepared to file for bankruptcy.

An attorney can assist with the process of filing for bankruptcy.  Your attorney will need copies of your financial documents so he can prepare to file for bankruptcy in court. You will be allowed to review the petition before it is filed with the court.

There are bankruptcy filing fees that must be paid at the time your petition is submitted. The fees change, so ask your attorney to find out how much it will cost for you to file.

You have officially filed for bankruptcy once the paperwork has been submitted and the fee has been paid.

In Oklahoma, several things will happen immediately after filing for bankruptcy.  Filing for bankruptcy will trigger an automatic stay, which will temporarily protect you from harassing calls and legal action taken by creditors. This means you should stop receiving letters, phone calls, and other communications from creditors.

A trustee will be appointed to your case soon after.  The trustee that is assigned to your case might contact you to request more information about your finances.  It’s best to let your attorney communicate with the trustee on your behalf.

About a month after filing your 341 meeting will be take place, this is also known as the meeting of creditors.  You are required to attend this meeting to meet with your trustee and any creditors that may show up.  The purpose of this meeting is to confirm that the financial information you have provided is accurate. If a creditors attend, they are given an opportunity to ask questions or object to information in your financial documents.

You must complete another educational course after filing for bankruptcy.  This debtor education course will provide you with the financial tools and resources that you need to manage your finances moving forward.  This course will teach you how to create a household budget and improve your credit score after bankruptcy. You must provide the certificate of completion for this course to the court or your case will be dismissed. This must be provided within 60 days from the date of your 341 meeting.

These are some of what will take place after you have filed for bankruptcy. This process is complex, it’s best to have an attorney guide you through it.