🔎 Understanding the Bankruptcy Process.
Bankruptcy Doesn’t Have to Be Scary.
The idea of filing for Bankruptcy can feel overwhelming. You might be asking yourself: What will happen to me? How long will it take? Will I lose everything?
At A Fresh Start Law, Attorney Dorothy Bunce has over 35 years of bankruptcy experience. She has guided thousands of Nevadans through the process — making it as smooth, understandable, and stress-free as possible.
Our goal is simple: to give you clarity and peace of mind every step of the way.
📞 Call us today at (702) 551-3256 for your free consultation.
💡 Why Understanding the Process Matters.
Even with a skilled attorney at your side, not knowing what’s happening can create unnecessary stress. When you understand the process:
- ✅ You feel more confident and in control.
- ✅ You avoid mistakes or assumptions that could cause delays.
- ✅ You know what to expect — and when.
Bankruptcy has a lot of rules, paperwork, and deadlines, but we’ll guide you through each one.
📋 How the Bankruptcy Process Works.
At A Fresh Start Law, we represent clients in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. Here’s what typically happens:
- Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling.
- Complete a short credit counseling course at CricketDebt.com.
- Use our attorney code 687098 to skip the $24 fee.
- Initial Attorney Consultation & Decision.
- Meet with Attorney Dorothy Bunce to review and discuss your situation.
- She’ll evaluate whether Bankruptcy is your best option — and if so, which type fits you best and explain all options.
- Gather Financial Documents.
- Collect your pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and other financial records.
- We’ll help you understand what’s needed and why.
- Case Preparation.
- We go through every question with you — no guessing, no “fill this out on your own.”
- Together, we make sure your answers are complete and accurate.
- Filing Your Case.
- Your case is filed in Bankruptcy Court.
- The automatic stay goes into effect — immediately stopping garnishments, foreclosures, or creditor harassment.
- Trustee Requirements.
- You’ll complete a simple Trustee Questionnaire.
- Provide updated bank records or any other documents requested.
- We’ll guide you through this process.
- Meeting of Creditors (Trustee Meeting).
- Usually held about 30 days after filing.
- Conducted on Zoom — you can join from home, work, or our office with Dorothy by your side.
- Discharge of Debts,
- In Chapter 7, this typically happens about 60 days after the Trustee Meeting.
- In Chapter 13, discharge comes after you finish your repayment plan (which can take 3–5 years).
- Life After Bankruptcy.
- We don’t just leave you at “case closed.”
- You’ll receive guidance on rebuilding your credit and starting fresh.
⚖️ Why Choose A Fresh Start Law?
- Over 35 years of bankruptcy experience.
- Attorney Bunce has personally answered 30,000+ bankruptcy questions on Avvo, so she knows what you are worrying about before you even ask.
- At A Fresh Start Law, we take the time to explain everything — no rushed forms or guesswork.
- Our team is always available to answer your questions.
✨ Bankruptcy has many unwritten rules. Having an experienced legal team on your side ensures you won’t get tripped up by them.
🗓️ Bankruptcy Timeline at a Glance.
Here’s what most people can expect in a Chapter 7 case:
🖥️ Step 1: Pre-Bankruptcy Course.
Please take the short online pre-bankruptcy evaluation session (the first course) at CricketDebt.com (use our code 687098 to access this site at no cost). Be sure to obtain your free credit report as part of the program, as it makes the process quicker and more accurate. Please note that taking this step does not commit you to filing for Bankruptcy or hiring A Fresh Start Law.
🔍 Step 2: Free Consultation.
Meet with Attorney Dorothy Bunce to review your finances and explore your options.
📂 Step 3: Gather Documents.
Collect pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. We’ll guide you through exactly what’s needed.
⚖️ Step 4: File Your Case.
We prepare and file your paperwork. The automatic stay kicks in immediately, stopping collections.
👩⚖️ Step 5: Trustee Meeting (≈30 Days Later).
- Meet the Trustee over Zoom 💻 — or join this Meeting from our office with Dorothy by your side.
✨ Step 6: Fresh Start (≈60 Days Later for Chapter 7).
If all goes smoothly, your debts are discharged and you begin rebuilding your credit.
📞 Take the First Step Toward Relief.
If debt has taken over your life, don’t wait another day. Call A Fresh Start Law at (702) 551-3256 to schedule your free consultation with Attorney Dorothy Bunce.
💡 Together, we’ll decide if Bankruptcy is the right choice — and if it isn’t, we’ll explain your other options too.