Record gifts, sales, title changes, repayments, withdrawals, and transfers with date, parties, relationship, value, consideration, purpose, and supporting proof.
Keep originals untouched; mark a working copy with questions.
Put these records in the folder
Statements, titles, receipts, messages, app exports, valuations, and agreements.
For every missing item, note who has it, how it was requested, the expected date, and the deadline it may affect.
Label the first page
Before the consultation
- Preserve the complete original record.
- Put events in date order and reconcile totals.
- Mark gaps without inventing an explanation.
- Write this question at the front: Include transactions that felt informal or involved family.
- Use a verified secure method for sensitive files.
Run a two-minute file check
Complete
All pages and statement periods are present, including blank or continuation pages that belong to the record.
Consistent
Names, dates, balances, ownership, and totals agree across the cover sheet and original documents—or the difference is marked.
Traceable
Every important number can be followed back to a statement, docket, title, contract, receipt, or clearly labeled estimate.
After the meeting
Keep the file in the same order. Add the date, the person who reviewed it, any correction requested, the promised follow-up, and the next deadline. If a later record changes an earlier answer, preserve both versions and raise the change promptly instead of silently replacing the history.
Share the minimum necessary through a confirmed recipient and secure portal. Keep your own copy of what was sent and when.
Do not 'clean up' the history
Do not reverse a transfer without qualified advice.
Check the current official source
U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Basics explains the federal process. Use official bankruptcy forms, the U.S. Trustee Program means-testing page, and the U.S. Courts page for people filing without a lawyer as applicable. Current local rules, dates, forms, fees, and individual advice still matter.