From first consultation to discharge — paperwork, credit counseling, the 341 meeting, and every milestone in between.
Bankruptcy sounds intimidating because it's unfamiliar. But the actual process is more administrative than dramatic — a sequence of clear, documented steps that your attorney guides you through. Chapter 7 typically takes 3–6 months from filing to discharge. Chapter 13 runs longer (3–5 years) because the repayment plan is part of the case, but the active work happens in the first few months.
This page walks through the core stages. For chapter-specific detail, see the Chapter 7 Guide and Chapter 13 Guide. To confirm which chapter applies to you, start with our eligibility guide.
Meet with an attorney, review your situation, and receive a document checklist — pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, creditor correspondence. You complete credit counseling online (~1 hour) during this phase.
Your attorney drafts the petition (100+ pages of schedules) and files it electronically. The automatic stay takes effect immediately, halting all collection activity, garnishment, and lawsuits.
30–45 days after filing, you meet with the trustee to answer basic questions about your finances. It's not a hearing — just a short recorded conversation. Your attorney prepares you and attends. Most meetings last 5–15 minutes.
In Chapter 7, discharge arrives ~60 days after the 341 meeting. In Chapter 13, discharge follows completion of your 3-to-5-year plan. You complete a second credit counseling course ("debtor education") before discharge is granted.
A productive first meeting requires a handful of documents. Your attorney will send a detailed checklist after you call, but here's the core list so you can start gathering:
If you can't find something, don't wait — call anyway. Part of what the attorney does is help you locate missing records. Most documents can be pulled from online accounts or requested from creditors.
Usually not in person — the 341 meeting is typically the only appearance, and it's a meeting with the trustee, not a judge. Many 341 meetings are now conducted by video or phone. A formal court hearing with a judge is rare for routine consumer cases.
The automatic stay stops calls immediately upon filing. Your attorney notifies your most active creditors directly within hours. If a creditor contacts you after filing, tell them you've filed, provide your case number, and report it to your attorney.
Just answer the trustee's questions honestly. The trustee asks standard questions about your petition: whether the schedules are accurate, whether you've transferred property recently, whether you understand the process. Your attorney preps you thoroughly beforehand so there are no surprises.
In Chapter 7, avoid new debt during the 3-to-6-month case period. In Chapter 13, significant new debt requires trustee approval during the plan. Small necessities (a new washing machine, routine car repair) are usually fine; anything major — a new car, a home purchase — should be discussed with your attorney first.
The first call is the hardest step. We'll walk through your situation and map out exactly what happens next — no commitment.