The Best Ways to Handle Amending Bankruptcy Forms in Tacoma

Amending bankruptcy forms is usually necessary if you discover a mistake in your bankruptcy forms, petition, schedules, or other paperwork; you can fix it easily by filing an amended version of the form. Bankruptcy laws allow filers to amend their forms any time in the duration of their bankruptcy cases prior to receiving a final bankruptcy discharge.

Filing an Amended Bankruptcy Form in Tacoma

To remedy an error on a form, you’ll need a blank copy of the form. You will also need to find out if the Tacoma bankruptcy court has a local form you should utilize to file an amendment.

amending bankruptcy formsSome bankruptcy courts enable you to complete only the portion of the form that was inaccurate, leaving the rest blank (other than for your name, case number, and other identifying bankruptcy information). As soon as you’ve finished the amended form in the manner recommended by your court, you’ll check the “Check if this is an amended filing,” box in the upper right-hand corner or you may need to write the word “AMENDED” next to the form title.

Amending bankruptcy forms may require you to complete and file several forms, even if you made just one error. For instance, if you forgot to list the creditor holding the note to your automobile, you might need to amend “Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt” (if you plan to declare that the equity in the car is exempt), and “Schedule D: Creditors Who Have Claims Secured by Property.”

Completing the “Declaration about Individual Debtor’s Schedules”

You state under penalty of perjury that all of the contents are appropriate and true by signing the “Declaration about Individual Debtor’s Schedules” when you submit your bankruptcy petition. Because your initial declaration will not cover the brand-new information you send to the federal court, you need to complete and file a brand-new declaration with your amended schedules.

Filing Your Completed Forms in Tacoma

As soon as you have completed amending bankruptcy forms, finished a brand-new declaration, and completed any local forms you need to file with your amended paperwork, you will need to file the amendments with the United States bankruptcy court and pay a fee.

File the amended forms and schedules with the bankruptcy court, following the court’s instructions regarding what order the forms need to be in, the number of copies required, whether you have to include a cover sheet or letter describing the modifications, and so on. You should likewise serve a copy of the amended papers to the bankruptcy trustee and to any financial institution impacted by your amendment.

When You Should Speak to a Tacoma Bankruptcy Lawyer

The bankruptcy act permit debtors to file modifications to their bankruptcy documents any time during bankruptcy proceedings before they receive the final discharge. However, if you need to file an amended Schedule C, and the bankruptcy judge won’t allow it, you need to speak with an experienced bankruptcy attorney from our Tacoma bankruptcy law office.

The Best Way to Amend Bankruptcy Forms in Tacoma

Many things can go wrong in a bankruptcy when you try to do file bankruptcy by yourself or with a petition preparer who is not a bankruptcy law attorney. The best way to correct a mistake on your bankruptcy forms is to not make it in the first place. You can avoid committing errors if you hire a lawyer for legal assistance even before you file for bankruptcy.

Amendments in bankruptcy filings can be problematic and, if you have no legal representation, it is up to you to figure out the rules and procedures throughout the bankruptcy process. You can avoid most common mistakes to ensure that your bankruptcy case goes smoothly and that you continue to enjoy bankruptcy protection by hiring a Tacoma bankruptcy attorney from Northwest Debt Relief Law Firm’s selection of skilled and experienced bankruptcy lawyers.

Bankruptcy attorneys’ help is invaluable, from giving legal advice on your bankruptcy options to guiding you on how to file correctly and navigating your path to life after bankruptcy.  If you’re having financial problems and considering filing for bankruptcy, obtaining legal counsel is absolutely prudent. Give us a call for a free legal case evaluation on your initial consultation. We’re here to help.