The procedure of bankruptcy couldn't be more straightforward than it is at GANDY LAW OFFICES, P.C. It’s a logical five step process. You will have our undivided professional attention each step of the way.

1. The first step is a 20 minute initial consultation at no charge with me, Attorney Paul D. Gandy, in person or over the phone. In that consultation I will review your financial situation and give you sound, competent advice on what your options. Even if together we decide that bankruptcy isn’t the right thing for you, I will point you in the right direction. If you decide that bankruptcy is the right thing for your situation, then I will quote you a very reasonable standard flat fee based on how I understand your situation. One thing is for sure-- you’re guaranteed to end up with more insight on your situation than you had when you started.
2. The second step is an information gathering appointment. You will meet with one of our legal assistants, who will go over a Fresh Start Worksheet with you and help you to fill it out. This Fresh Start Worksheet asks you for all of the information we will need to file a Bankruptcy Petition with the Bankruptcy Court in Des Moines. We can also accomplish this information gathering step by mailing you the Fresh Start Worksheet and going over it with you by telephone. You can feel free to call us with any questions on completing it.
3. The third step is to gather any additional information needed for the Fresh Start Worksheet and to go over it again with us to make sure it is all complete and correct. Sometimes we can combine steps 2 and 3 together, but it is usually helpful to have this second chance to pull all the information together and double check that it is accurate. Again, we can also accomplish this step by mail and by telephone.
4. The fourth step is the final signing. The name of the appointment is fairly explanatory as to what it is all about. The final signing is held when all of the information has been gathered from you and your balance owed to GANDY LAW OFFICES, P.C. is paid in full. (With the debt consolidation bankruptcy of Chapter 13, some of your attorney fees may be paid after your bankruptcy papers are filed with the court.) In this step you will review the Bankruptcy Petition that is to be sent for filing to the United States Bankruptcy Court in Des Moines. As the petition is prepared in the meeting, we will also prepare and guide you on the process from filing the petition to when your case is closed. By the end of the Final Signing, you should have a good idea of what’s going to happen next, when it is going to happen and why. You should leave our office (or end the Final Signing phone call or letter as the case may be) feeling a whole lot lighter and less stressed.
5. The fifth and final step in the five step process is for you to attend a meeting of creditors in Des Moines. After this step, if everything goes smoothly, all you have to do is wait (around 60 days) to receive a court order in the mail saying that your dischargeable debts have been forgiven. The meeting of creditors will happen 20-40 days from the date your Petition was filed with the Court. It is a very short hearing usually lasting 5 to 10 minutes. (However, you need to plan on being there for up to an hour while you wait your turn.) Bankruptcy is a federal proceeding that cannot be filed in local Iowa District courts at the county level. That is why you need to go to Des Moines. We have directions and we will be happy to tell you how to get there. Usually, your creditors will not bother to send representatives to this meeting. Usually, you will simply answer a few questions and go home! GANDY LAW OFFICES will have one of our associates there to represent you at the meeting.