How to Help Clients Prepare for a Post-Discharge Consultation

Gather the relevant documents

• The discharge order and available bankruptcy schedules.
• Recent reports from all three major credit bureaus, including the dates obtained.
• Reaffirmation agreements or other documents affecting the debt.
• Prior dispute letters, submission confirmations and bureau or furnisher responses.
• Collection letters, lawsuit papers or relevant messages received after discharge.

Write a short timeline

Record when the discharge was entered, when the questionable reporting appeared, when disputes were sent and what responses arrived. Identify the creditor and bureau involved without including full account numbers in an initial email.

Describe the specific issue: for example, a balance reported as still due, duplicate entries or collection activity on an obligation believed to be discharged.

Prepare questions about next steps

• Was this obligation discharged, reaffirmed or excluded?
• Does the reported information appear inconsistent with the case documents?
• What further records or disputes may be needed?
• What services, fees and communication arrangements would apply if I retain the firm?

Arrange secure document delivery

Do not email Social Security numbers, full account numbers or credit reports through website email links. Ask the firm for instructions before providing sensitive documents.

Booking or attending an initial consultation does not itself create an attorney-client relationship. Representation requires mutual agreement and a written engagement agreement. If a partner referred the client, the client can mention that person’s name when booking.