Learning more about the bankruptcy process, including the pros and cons, often begins with a consultation with an attorney.

1. “Learning more about the bankruptcy process, including
the pros and cons, often begins with a consultation with an
attorney.”
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A
PHILADELPHIA BANKRUPTCY
CONSULTATION
DAVID M. OFFEN
PHILADELPHIA BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY

2. What to Expect During a Philadelphia Bankruptcy Consultation www.getfreeofbills.com 3
It can be difficult to decide in favor or against bankruptcy until you know
all the facts. As somebody who has never gone through the process in the
past, you may be short on information and details.
Learning more about the bankruptcy process, including the pros and cons,
often begins with a consultation with an attorney.
An experienced bankruptcy attorney who has helped thousands of people i
to make the right decision. It is your hope that this legal professional can
help you do the same in the near future.
Before we go any further, remember this: setting up a bankruptcy
consultation does not mean you have to file. Simply put, this is a way for

3. What to Expect During a Philadelphia Bankruptcy Consultation www.getfreeofbills.com 4
you to learn more about your situation as well as the process. You are
under no obligation to take the next step.
THE BASICS OF A BANKRUPTCY
CONSULTATION
Going into a bankruptcy consultation you may not have much knowledge.
Once you walk out the door, however, your mind will be full of top notch
information and advice.
Your primary goal is to
learn as much as
possible. This will allow
you to better understand
everything associated
with bankruptcy,
including whether or not
bankruptcy is a good move for you and whether this could improve your
finances.

4. What to Expect During a Philadelphia Bankruptcy Consultation www.getfreeofbills.com 5
HERE ARE SOME OF THE BASIC DETAILS
ASSOCIATED WITH A BANKRUPTCY
CONSULTATION:
 A review of your personal finances, including but not limited to your
income, debt, and any bills that are past due.
 Calculate an approximate amount of debt.
 Calculate your monthly income from all sources.
 Discuss the ins and outs of both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
bankruptcy.
 Discuss the filing process, including how to get started, how long it
lasts, and what to expect along the way.
Your attorney will guide the conversation, as he or she knows which steps
you should take to improve your situation.

5. What to Expect During a Philadelphia Bankruptcy Consultation www.getfreeofbills.com 6
TIME FOR QUESTIONS
Although your attorney will do a lot of talking, this doesn’t mean you
should sit back the entire time. Don’t be shy about asking questions, as
this is one of the best ways to learn more about your particular situation.
Here is a list of questions to consider:
 What type of bankruptcy do I qualify for? Am I eligible for Chapter 7
or is Chapter 13 better for me?
 Are there other options I should be considering, such as a short sale
or debt negotiation?
 Will I lose any property by filing for bankruptcy?
 What is the cost of filing?
 How long will it take for the bankruptcy process to come to an end?
 Will I be required to spend anytime in bankruptcy court?
In addition to the above questions, you can expect more to come up as the
conversation moves forward. There is no such thing as a bad question!
Tip: write down all your questions in advance to ensure that they get
answered in full. Along with this, write down the answers you receive.

6. What to Expect During a Philadelphia Bankruptcy Consultation www.getfreeofbills.com 7
WHAT COMES NEXT?
As noted above, a bankruptcy consultation is nothing more than a
conversation. This does not mean you are necessarily filing.
At some point, you need to take the information you gathered and put it to
good use. You will either decide in favor of bankruptcy or against it.
Don’t be
intimidated at the
thought of a
bankruptcy
consultation. This
is one of the best
things you can do
if you feel that
bankruptcy could
help improve your finances. With an experienced attorney guiding you, it
becomes easier to understand your situation. In the end, the only thing
that matters is that you make the best decision for you, your family, and
your finances.

7. What to Expect During a Philadelphia Bankruptcy Consultation www.getfreeofbills.com 8
About the Author
David M. Offen
A native to the Philadelphia area, Mr. Offen attended Temple University College and Law
School. Mr. Offen is licensed to practice in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a
member of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference and the National
Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
David M. Offen has over 20 years of experience and has helped over 8,500 individuals and
families go through the Bankruptcy process. These filings have included stopping foreclosure on
a home, stopping repossession of a car or vehicle, stopping IRS tax levies and frozen bank
accounts and putting a stop to; lawsuits, credit card bills, personal loans, bills, utility shutoffs
and other types of debt.
With Mr. Offen’s help, these families have saved countless tens of millions of dollars of debt.
David enjoys getting to know his clients and will be happy to answer any and all questions you
may have. You are treated as a person and not a number.
Remember – there is no such thing as a silly question. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you
may have. David M. Offen has found that people looking to file Bankruptcy are not trying to
avoid their responsibilities but rather to make a difficult situation easier. David enjoys getting
people to stop worrying and making their financial lives much better and help people stop
feeling overwhelmed.
In some cases, Bankruptcy is not the best move and he can review your situation with you and
tell you the right move for you to make. Get a completely free evaluation of your situation. For
the past 20 years, the Law Offices of David M. Offen has been among the top filers of
bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The Law Offices of David M. Offen
215-625-9600
www.getfreeofbills.com
The Curtis Center
601 Walnut Street, Suite 160 West – 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106