What to Have Ready for Your Telephone Bankruptcy Consultation | Merna Law
WHAT TO HAVE READY FOR YOUR TELEPHONE BANKRUPTCY CONSULTATION
Quick Answer
Your free bankruptcy consultation with Merna Law happens by phone or Zoom — no office visit required. To make the call productive, have a rough picture of your income, your debts, and what you own, plus a photo ID and your most recent tax return if handy. You do not need every document to get real answers; we can guide you with the basics and gather the rest later. Call 1-800-662-8813 to schedule.
By John G. Merna, Esq. | Last Reviewed: June 2026 | The Merna Law Group, P.C.
One of the best things about working with Merna Law is that you never have to take time off work or drive to an office to get help. We handle consultations — and entire bankruptcy cases — by telephone and Zoom across Virginia. A little preparation makes that first call far more useful, so this page walks through exactly what to have ready, what to expect, and the questions worth asking. If you can only gather some of it, that is fine; call anyway and we will help you fill in the gaps.
How a Telephone Bankruptcy Consultation Works
Your consultation is free, confidential, and usually takes about twenty to thirty minutes. We will ask about your financial situation, explain whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits, walk through what bankruptcy can stop — garnishments, foreclosure, repossession, lawsuits — and answer your questions about cost and timing. There is no pressure and no obligation. Because everything is done remotely, you can take the call from home on your own schedule. Having a few things in front of you lets us give you specific answers instead of general ones.
What to Have Ready — Your Checklist
Use this as a guide, not a requirement. Even approximate numbers help us give you meaningful advice.
Your Income
- Recent pay stubs (yours and your spouse’s, if married)
- A general sense of your monthly take-home pay
- Any other income — self-employment, benefits, support
Your Debts
- A list of who you owe and roughly how much — credit cards, medical bills, loans
- Any collection letters, lawsuits, or garnishment notices
- Mortgage or car-loan statements if you want to keep the home or vehicle
What You Own
- Your home and its rough value and mortgage balance
- Vehicles and what is owed on them
- Bank account balances and any retirement accounts
Documents (if handy)
- A photo ID
- Your most recent tax return
- Anything time-sensitive — a foreclosure or court date, or a garnishment that has started
Your Questions
- Whatever is worrying you most — keeping your house or car, stopping a garnishment, the effect on your credit, or the cost
You Don’t Need to Have Everything
Please do not put off calling because you cannot find a document or are unsure of an exact balance. The purpose of the consultation is to understand your situation and tell you your options — we can pull a credit report and collect the precise paperwork once you decide to move forward. If a garnishment, foreclosure, or court date is bearing down on you, call right away even with nothing in hand; timing can matter more than paperwork, and we can often act quickly to protect you.
Ready to Schedule Your Free Consultation?
Call or book online and talk to a Virginia bankruptcy attorney from the comfort of home. No office visit, no obligation.
Good Questions to Ask Your Bankruptcy Attorney
A consultation goes both ways. Strong questions to ask include: Which chapter is right for me, and why? Can I keep my house and car? Will filing stop the garnishment or foreclosure I am facing? How much will it cost, and are payment plans available? How long does the process take, and what happens at the 341 meeting? How will this affect my credit, and how soon can I rebuild? We welcome every one of these — a good attorney would rather you ask now than wonder later.
What to Have Ready — FAQ
What do I need for a bankruptcy consultation?
A rough picture of your income, debts, and assets is enough to get real answers. Having recent pay stubs, a list of your debts, a photo ID, and your latest tax return handy helps, but none of it is required to call and get guidance.
Is the bankruptcy consultation really free?
Yes. Merna Law offers a free, no-obligation consultation by phone or Zoom. We explain your options and the cost before you decide anything.
Do I have to come to an office?
No. Consultations and entire cases are handled remotely by telephone and Zoom across Virginia. You never have to visit an office, and most clients never appear in a courthouse either.
What if I don’t have all my documents?
Call anyway. We can give you meaningful advice from the basics and gather the precise paperwork later. If you have a foreclosure, court date, or garnishment looming, do not wait — timing can matter more than documents.
Schedule Your Telephone Consultation
Getting answers is the hardest first step, and it is free. Merna Law handles every part of your bankruptcy by phone and Zoom, anywhere in Virginia. Learn how the remote process works on our file bankruptcy without leaving home page, or compare options in our Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 guides.
Worried about the cost of filing? Ask about our bankruptcy payment plans — affordable filing with low money down.
