Filing for Bankruptcy in 2025: Your Step-by-Step Guide 

by Luke Homen

Bankruptcy can provide your family or business a fresh financial start. Filing for bankruptcy protection can be broken down into a checklist or step-by-step guide. Court systems don’t like reinventing the wheel with every case, so they do their best to keep things consistent and predictable. Convenient Bankruptcy will discuss the steps you must take if you want the financial freedom that comes with bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy may be an option if you’re facing financial hardship. You have options, and the  Convenient Bankruptcy law firm will discuss your choices and help you decide which is right for you. Bankruptcy lawyer Luke Homen helps individuals and their families resolve financial challenges to achieve financial freedom, as you can see in their client reviews. Call us at 405-639-2099, and a bankruptcy attorney will contact you.

Step 1 The Initial Consultation

To give you the best advice and put you on a path to success, bankruptcy law Convenient Bankruptcy must get to know you, your finances, and your goals. We will listen to your story and assess your situation in our first meeting.

A bankruptcy lawyer will answer your questions, discuss non-bankruptcy options (like debt consolidation and negotiation), help you evaluate if bankruptcy is the right choice for you, and advise you of your rights under Chapters 7 and 13. This is an important decision. You should get personalized guidance from a financial advisor or bankruptcy attorney to be comfortable making the best choice for you and your family.

Step 2 Your Homework

You must provide us with your financial documents and information. You’ll also need to attend an online credit counseling class, which will teach you more about the bankruptcy process. You must use an approved class provider, and we will connect you with the best course.

You need to do this work so we can determine if you are a good fit for bankruptcy, and which chapter is best for your situation. There are important qualifications for using Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Your income, assets, and financial situation will determine how much you’ll need to repay creditors through Chapter 13 and over what time.

Step 3 Drafting Your Petition

Your case manager will complete your voluntary petition. It’s more than 70 pages long and usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete. We’ll need a complete set of documents to do this accurately and as quickly as possible, including the following:

• Income statements
• Tax returns
• Lists of your debts
• Bank statements and other financial records

If you need to file more urgently, please let us know so we can provide you with “rush service” when necessary.

Step 4 Signing Appointment with Your Attorney

This generally takes an hour and includes the following:

• Reviewing your petition
• Reviewing other case details
• Signing the petition
• Responding to your questions

We will file your case with the court later that day.

Step 5 Vehicle Evaluation

Many clients have high-interest vehicle loans, high payments, and repair bills – sometimes all at the same time! In a Chapter 7 case, you may return your car and find a better alternative.

Step 6 Debtor Education Class

After filing your case, it’s time to take your second education class. It teaches financial management skills to help you rebuild and maintain your finances.

Step 7 Court Appearance by Zoom

You will have a video-style court appearance for a Section 341 Meeting of Creditors about 30 days after the case is filed. This isn’t a court hearing, and a judge does not attend it. Presiding will be a trustee who a judge appoints to be responsible for your case. You’ll answer questions under oath about the submitted bankruptcy forms, your property, expenses, debts, and income.

Our bankruptcy lawyer will prepare you for the meeting and join the Zoom call with you.

Step 8 Chapter 13 Payments

If you have a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you’ll make monthly payments towards your debts for five years. Your first payment is due 30 days after we file your case and every 30 days thereafter until you finish. Chapter 7 has no monthly debt payments because your obligations are discharged.

Step 9 Discharge

The discharge is the Court Order that ends your case and eliminates your unsecured debts! The court will issue your Chapter 7 discharge about four months after we file your case. A Chapter 13 discharge will be sent after you make all of your monthly debt payments.

Step 10 Credit Rebuilding Program

After you get your discharge, we’ll sign you up for a Credit Rebuilding Program. It’s designed to help you build your credit score up to 720 and higher.

Congratulations! You have achieved Financial Freedom!

Might Chapter Bankruptcy Be Right for You and Your Family?

If you or your business have financial difficulty, bankruptcy might be an option. Time speaking with a bankruptcy lawyer in Tulsa is well spent because we can explain the process and how we can help. Schedule a consultation with the Convenient Bankruptcy law firm by calling us at 405-639-2099 or contacting us online to set up a time to talk. You’ll be glad you did.