Iowa Bankruptcy - Getting Started

If you are below the median income (see chart below), chances are you will be eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy here in Iowa. When I do quick case evaluations online or on the telephone I usually also ask about your home. If you are surrendering your home that is fine, no problem. If you are keeping your home that is fine too with Chapter 7. If you are keeping your home and are behind on payments we should discuss that before you come in. If you have charged/cash advanced etc. more than $1,000 on your credit cards in the past 90 days or paid money to your family in the past year we should also talk about that before your appointment. So if one of these is an issue for you or you have other questions, Email Jeff and we can give you some quick feedback.

Otherwise, you may want to simply go to our Set an Appointment Online page.

We do your entire bankruptcy petition during your first appointment in my office and your case is ready to file before you leave. I normally batch file cases on Thursday. You have one hearing here in Des Moines and you are discharged about 9 weeks later.

Fixed Attorney Fee: $900
Filing Fee: $299
Online Certificates $100

Your total cost is $1299. If you are filing a joint (married) case, you just need to pay for the additional certificates since each person must have one of each of the two certificates. But you do not pay me any more attorney or filing fees for a joint filing as you do for a single filing. Some attorneys charge more because they have not streamlined their process the way I have.

If your income is below the median income you should have no problem with a complete discharge under Chapter 7.

Gross Iowa Annual Median Household Income
1 Person $41,381
2 People $54,628
3 People $63,888
4 People $74,047
5 People $80,947
Notes: Social Security is not included in income, Add $6900 for each additional person,Updated 3-15-09

Here is what you will need to bring to my office:

__$1199 in cash or money order;
__Credit Counseling Certificate (Required-you can get this online at www.cccsinc.org);
__All bills you intend to discharge (credit cards, medical etc.) w/ account numbers,full address;
__Creditor information (full address, account #'s) on debts you will keep like home or car loans;
__Last two months pay stubs from work (including your spouse even if they are not filing;)
__If you do not receive wage income, bring records of other income for the last six months;
__Most recent state and federal tax returns;
__W2's for the last two years;
__Legal Description of your Iowa home if you own from your abstract or tax bill;
__Proof of valuation of your Iowa home such as tax or other appraisal if you have them;
__Photo ID and Social Security Card or proof of social security number.

Click here for more on the Iowa Bankruptcy Process.