Personal Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Intake Package

Personal Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Intake Package
Dear New Client:

Thank you for choosing North Colony Law Group (formerly Grantham Law). I hope that we were able to answer any questions that you had concerning bankruptcy during your initial consultation.

As we discussed during your original consultation, our Chapter 7 fees are a flat rate that is based on several factors such as your total assets, income, and amount of debt. Your Fees will be automatically calculated by answering the questions on this questionnaire and should match the quote we gave you. You have the option of paying your fees all at one time or paying over the course of several months. Whichever option you choose, your petition will not be filed until after we have collected all the information we need to prepare a complete and accurate petition and you have paid all of your legal fees.

Once you have finished this questionniare, you will be prompted to digitally sign and submit the form. We will then prepare your invoice and send it to you. Once you make your payment, you may inform your creditors that you have retained a bankruptcy attorney. Please give your creditors this number to call to confirm representation: 781-222-0611.

It is important that you Stop using your credit cards and stop making all credit card payments and do not incure any new debt. However, you should continue to pay your utilities, housing payments, automobile payments, and insurance.

If you have any questions about what you should be paying, please contact your attorney. If you have a debit card or check card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, it is ok to use that card.

Again, I would like to thank you for choosing us to represent you in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 781-222-0611

Sincerely,
North Colony Law Group

CHAPTER 7 CLIENT INFORMATION

Please take a moment to complete the following information. It is important that this information is correct, so that we may better serve your needs. If any of this information changes, you are responsible for informing us immediately.
Your Name*

First NameLast Name
Marital Status

SingleMarried
Spouse Name

First NameLast Name
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Is your Physical Address the same as your mailing address?

YesNo
Physical Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Cell Phone/Primary*

Area CodePhone Number
Primary Email Address*

YOUR LEGAL FEE

Our standard fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, whether filing individually or jointly with a spouse, is $1,600. However, certain situations can cause additional complexity to your case. Therefore, if any of the following situations is true, there will be an additional fee associated with your bankruptcy.
Check each box that is true for you (or your spouse, if filing jointly):

I/we have been sued or threatened with a lawsuit involving: fraud, intentional misrepresentation, embezzlement or larceny. OR I/we are required to pay criminal restitution. (additional $1,000)I/we own more than $1,000,000 in assets, including the equity in our real estate. (additional $300)I/we have more than $100,000 ($150,000 if filing jointly) in unsecured debt (such as credit cards, judgments, personal loans or other claims) or more than $1,000,000 in secured debt. (additional $700)
Do you wish to pay

All at once3 monthly installments (will include a $25/mo. service fee)
Based on your answers, your total legal fee is:
This is your legal fee only and does not include the $338 bankruptcy filing fee.

ATTORNEY-CLIENT FEE AGREEMENT

This document (the "agreement") is a written contract that the law requires lawyers to have with their clients. North Colony Law Group PC ("NCLG" or "We/Us"), will provide legal services to you, {yourName} and {spouseName} on the terms set forth below:

1. CONDITIONS. This agreement will not take effect, and NCLG will have no obligation to provide legal services, until you return a signed copy of this agreement and pay the initial deposit called for under Paragraph 4.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES. NCLG will provide all legal services reasonably required to represent you in order to obtain a discharge or reorganization of your debts. We will take reasonable steps to keep you informed of progress and to respond to your inquiries. This agreement only covers you for our legal services typically associated with a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy; this includes the preparation and filing of your petition and schedules, offering legal advice concerning your debts and assets relating to bankruptcy, representing you before the trustee in the 341 meeting of creditors and filing all documents typically associated with these events. For a complete list of services that are not included in our representation, please refer to Schedule A.

3. CLIENT'S DUTIES. You agree to be truthful with us, to cooperate, to provide us with any documentation we require, to abide by this agreement, to stay current on your payment plan and to keep us advised of any change in address and telephone number.

4. BANKRUPTCY LEGAL FEE. You agree to pay NCLG a legal fee equal to: {basedOn}

The above referenced fees DOES NOT INCLUDE the court filing fee of $338. We will collect this fee when you come in to the office to sign your petition (immediately before the case is filed).

If you elect for the payment plan and your fees have not been paid within 6 months, your file will be closed, and you may be responsible for a $150 account reinstatement fee.

YOUR BANKRUPTCY WILL NOT BE FILED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

5. DISCHARGE AND WITHDRAWAL. You may discharge us at any time. We may withdraw with your consent or for good cause only. Good cause includes your breach of this agreement; your refusal to cooperate with us or to follow our advice on a material matter, or any fact or circumstance that would render our continuing representation unlawful or unethical. If our services conclude as a result of the circumstances listed in this paragraph, you will be charged a rate of $375.00 per hour for any work performed on your case. This hourly rate will be charged against any monies you have paid, and any remaining funds in our possession will be refunded. If you discharge us after you have signed your petition and your bankruptcy is ready to file, no fee will be refunded except the filing fee (if collected).

6. CONVERSION TO CHAPTER 13. In certain situations, it may be beneficial, or necessary, to convert your bankruptcy to a Chapter 13. We will only convert your case from a chapter 7 to a chapter 13 with your consent. Any amounts that you have already paid under this agreement will be credited as a Chapter 13 Retainer and you will be responsible for paying a full retainer of $2000 before your case is filed. If your case has already been filed, you will not be responsible for any additional fees; your case will be converted from a flat rate to an hourly rate. The hourly rate will be $375.00/hr. The fees you paid will be applied to all the time we spent working on your chapter 7 up to the date of conversion. You authorize us to seek compensation, for any amounts due or that become due, from the Court to be paid through your Chapter 13 plan, even if your case is dismissed.

7. FULLY INTEGRATED CONTRACT. You understand that this document is a contract that represents the full and complete agreement between NCLG and you. NCLG had not made any promises or representations to me concerning the outcome of my case other than the ones that are expressly contained in this agreement.

_______________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE A

ADDITIONAL FEES AND SERVICES

The following services are covered by your fee agreement but require an extra fee:
- Credit Counseling: $35 + $15 – Current bankruptcy law requires that everyone take two bankruptcy courses: a pre-filing credit counseling course ($35 if taken online); and a post-filing financial management course ($15 if taken online). Each course takes approximately 45 min. You will be instructed when and where to take these courses. (This fee is paid directly to the counseling agency)
- Add a creditor after your case is filed: $175 (before discharge); $425 (after discharge)
- Reschedule a missed Chapter 7 341 Meeting: $225
- US Trustee (DOJ) Audit: $325 (rarely occurs)
- Motion to avoid lien: $400 for first, $100 for each after. ($800 max.)(if a creditor has placed a judgment lien on your residence, and you want it removed)
_______________________________________________________________

SIGNING

By signing, you acknowledge that you have read and understand that this document is a legally binding contract that creates obligations. You have read and understood the foregoing terms and agree to them.
ATTORNEY-CLIENT FEE AGREEMENT

This document (the "agreement") is a written contract that the law requires lawyers to have with their clients. North Colony Law Group PC ("We/Us" or "NCLG"), will provide legal services to you, {yourName} on the terms set forth below:

1. CONDITIONS. This agreement will not take effect, and we will have no obligation to provide legal services, until you return a signed copy of this agreement and pay the initial deposit called for under Paragraph 4.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES. NCLG will provide all legal services reasonably required to represent you in order to obtain a discharge or reorganization of your debts. We will take reasonable steps to keep you informed of progress and to respond to your inquiries. This agreement only covers you for our legal services typically associated with a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy; this includes the preparation and filing of your petition and schedules, offering legal advice concerning your debts and assets relating to bankruptcy, representing you before the trustee in the 341 meeting of creditors and filing all documents typically associated with these events. For a complete list of services that are not included in our representation, please refer to Schedule A.

3. CLIENT'S DUTIES. You agree to be truthful with us, to cooperate, to provide us with any documentation we require, to abide by this agreement, to stay current on your payment plan and to keep us advised of any change in address and telephone number.

4. BANKRUPTCY LEGAL FEE. You agree to pay NCLG a legal fee equal to: {basedOn}

The above referenced fees DOES NOT INCLUDE the court filing fee of $338. We will collect this fee when you come in to the office to sign your petition (immediately before the case is filed).

If you elect for the payment plan and your fees have not been paid within 6 months, your file will be closed, and you may be responsible for a $150 account reinstatement fee.

YOUR BANKRUPTCY WILL NOT BE FILED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

5. DISCHARGE AND WITHDRAWAL. You may discharge us at any time. We may withdraw with your consent or for good cause only. Good cause includes your breach of this agreement; your refusal to cooperate with us or to follow our advice on a material matter, or any fact or circumstance that would render our continuing representation unlawful or unethical. If our services conclude as a result of the circumstances listed in this paragraph, you will be charged a rate of $375.00 per hour for any work performed on your case. This hourly rate will be charged against any monies you have paid, and any remaining funds in our possession will be refunded. If you discharge us after you have signed your petition and your bankruptcy is ready to file, no fee will be refunded except the filing fee (if collected).

6. CONVERSION TO CHAPTER 13. In certain situations, it may be beneficial, or necessary, to convert your bankruptcy to a Chapter 13. We will only convert your case from a chapter 7 to a chapter 13 with your consent. Any amounts that you have already paid under this agreement will be credited as a Chapter 13 Retainer and you will be responsible for paying a full retainer of $2000 before your case is filed. If your case has already been filed, you will not be responsible for any additional fees; your case will be converted from a flat rate to an hourly rate. The hourly rate will be $375.00/hr. The fees you paid will be applied to all the time we spent working on your chapter 7 up to the date of conversion. You authorize us to seek compensation, for any amounts due or that become due, from the Court to be paid through your Chapter 13 plan, even if your case is dismissed.

7. FULLY INTEGRATED CONTRACT. You understand that this document is a contract that represents the full and complete agreement between NCLG and you. NCLG had not made any promises or representations to me concerning the outcome of my case other than the ones that are expressly contained in this agreement.

_______________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE A

ADDITIONAL FEES AND SERVICES

The following services are covered by your fee agreement but require an extra fee:

Credit Counseling: $35 + $15 – Current bankruptcy law requires that everyone take two bankruptcy courses: a pre-filing credit counseling course ($35 if taken online); and a post-filing financial management course ($15 if taken online). Each course takes approximately 45 min. You will be instructed when and where to take these courses. (This fee is paid directly to the counseling agency)

Add a creditor after your case is filed: $175 (before discharge); $425 (after discharge)

US Trustee (DOJ) Audit: $325 (this is rare)

Reschedule a missed Chapter 7 341 Meeting: $225

Motion to avoid lien: $400 for first, $100 for each after. ($800 max.)(if a creditor has placed a judgment lien on your residence, and you want it removed)
_______________________________________________________________

SIGNING

By signing, you acknowledge that you have read and understand that this document is a legally binding contract that creates obligations. You have read and understood the foregoing terms and agree to them.
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