Many people want to know how our firm operates and how we deal with our most important asset, our customers. Our office procedures are designed to try to allow our customers full access with their case; where it is in our system; what information we may need from you; what will happen next; when the case will be filed; when the 341 meeting will be; when the discharge will issue; and when the case will be closed. Much of the process is fully described in our "Seven Step Bankruptcy Process". To try to accomplish this so that you can talk to a "live" person, who, with any luck, actually knows about your case, you may have to talk to various people along the path toward financial freedom.
The following people are involved in almost every case we file:
FIRST, you will undoubtedly talk to a Debt Relief Counselor. The person may or may not be an attorney. In all cases they will be well versed in finding out what your financial situation is and help you start formulating your debt relief financial plan. This may or may not include bankruptcy. The Debt Relief Counselors job is to start gathering information concerning your finances, to see what your most pressing financial concerns are and to see if bankruptcy is really necessary in your situation. This will include what actions we need to take to get you the relief you need to sleeping again at night.
SECOND, Once we are retained your file moves to our "Case Analyst Section". Here the information you give us is processed and analyzed to prepare the necessary documentation so that your case can be filed. You may have to meet with a case analyst, especially if there are concerns about what type of bankruptcy you need to file. It is critical that you get us the information we need in a timely fashion so we can process your file. The case analysts are available to answer your questions and to assist you. The case analyst will also tell if you question is a legal matter so that an attorney can respond to your question in a timely fashion.
THIRD, Prior to your case being filed you will meet with the attorney in charge of your file and go over the file to make sure that you understand everything and that the information is correct. While we prefer to do this in person, this can also be done over the phone.
FOUR, Once the case is filed it moves to our post filing department. Here your file is monitored by paralegals and your attorney. They will inform you about the 341 meeting; where the meeting is; what you need to bring to the meeting; what you need to do about the final credit counseling course; when the discharge will issue; and other matters with occur after the case is filed.
Once you have received your discharge and the case is closed, our office is still available to you should any questions come up concerning your file or other action that may have to be taken.
Illini Legal Services is engaged in the private practice of law and is not a public legal aid agency. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
