5 Things to Expect During a Virtual Consultation

By Tracy L. Hirsch
If you’ve been considering a bankruptcy consultation, but are hesitant to do it over the phone, this will give you the reassurance that you need in terms of what to anticipate.
Online communication is now more prevalent than ever, and has become a popular option for bankruptcy consultations at my law firm.
While meeting face-to-face is ideal, meeting over the phone or on video chat helps prospective clients save on travel time and gas money, and can also fit into their busy schedules. Many people call on their lunch breaks or at other times where they have 15-20 minutes to talk.
You may be wondering what a virtual (or phone) consultation entails. It’s not as complicated as you might think and is actually really straightforward. Here’s what to expect when doing a phone consultation with me:
1.) You text me or call me to set up a consultation date and time. Often, I can do a same-day appointment, so as soon as you’re ready, you can reach out to get started!
Virtual consultations over the phone are actually easy and straightforward, and can be scheduled more quickly than in-person consultations.
2.) I ask you questions about your financial situation. In order to assess whether or not bankruptcy is the best option for you. I will ask you several questions. Here are some examples:
> Why are you currently considering bankruptcy?
> How much debt do you have?
> Who are your creditors (the people and/or companies that you owe money to)?
> What is your annual income?
> Do you own a home? If so, what is your monthly mortgage payment?
> Do you own a car?
> Do you pay child support or alimony?
> Are any creditors currently suing you or garnishing your wages?
There will be other questions too, but this gives you an idea of the type of information that I’ll need in order to provide you with the best advice on how to obtain financial relief.
3.) I explain the difference between a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There are two types of bankruptcy available to individuals (non-businesses), and depending on the answers to the questions above, it’ll help me determine which type would best suit your specific situation (or if it’s even necessary to file at all).

4.) You ask me questions and tell me about your concerns. If you have specific questions about the types of bankruptcy, about specific debts or loans that you’ve incurred, or anything else related to your finances, you can ask. No question is too small, and I’ll give you honest answers and feedback.
5.) I give you my professional opinion as to whether or not it’s best for you to file for bankruptcy. After all of your questions have been answered, I’ll let you know whether I think bankruptcy will give you the protection that you’re seeking, and if so, whether a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 makes the most sense.
In some situations, I may even try to contact a creditor to settle your debt so that you can avoid bankruptcy altogether!
If you decide that bankruptcy will give you the most financial relief, you can either set up an in-person filing appointment OR you can file over the phone!
If you prefer to do everything over the phone, rest assured that you’ll still receive the same care that I provide during in-person appointments. Regardless of which method of communication you use, you can still get the protection that you need.
I am available 7 days a week, and you can text or call me on my cell phone at (502) 435-2593.
I look forward to speaking with you!
All the best,
Tracy L. Hirsch
Need a free consultation? Text or call me at (502) 435-2593!