Define the question before choosing an answer
Use this guide to organize Settlement Risks, Tax Issues, Lawsuits, Credit Impact and Attorney Review. Start with the controlling record and date, then connect the issue to the bankruptcy chapter, property, debts, and local procedure that may change the answer.
Evidence file for Debt Settlement Vs Bankruptcy
Settlement Risks
Ownership, current value, liens, acquisition date, supporting records, expected payments, and recent changes.
Tax Issues
Tax type and year, return filing date, assessment, transcript, balance, lien, levy, audit, and payment history.
Lawsuits
Court, case number, parties, service date, order, amount, next deadline, and current enforcement status.
Credit Impact
The controlling document, exact date, amount or value, people involved, current status, and the source that can verify it.
Attorney Review
Responsible lawyer, license record, written scope, total fee, payment timing, excluded work, sponsorship, and review source.
Facts that shape the review
- Preserve original ownership and transaction evidence. Do not move, spend, hide, retitle, or relabel property to improve how it appears before review.
Issue log
| Issue | Evidence to preserve | Open question |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Risks | Ownership, current value, liens, acquisition date, supporting records, expected payments, and recent changes. | |
| Tax Issues | Tax type and year, return filing date, assessment, transcript, balance, lien, levy, audit, and payment history. | |
| Lawsuits | Court, case number, parties, service date, order, amount, next deadline, and current enforcement status. | |
| Credit Impact | The controlling document, exact date, amount or value, people involved, current status, and the source that can verify it. | |
| And Attorney Review | Responsible lawyer, license record, written scope, total fee, payment timing, excluded work, sponsorship, and review source. |
Questions that can change the next step
| Question | Your facts |
|---|---|
| What exact outcome is needed? | |
| What date changes the next step? | |
| Which fact remains unverified? |
Timing caution
If a sale, hearing, deduction, seizure, shutoff, or response deadline is near, use qualified local help rather than waiting for general online information.
Verify with current sources
U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Basics · Official Bankruptcy Forms · Current Means Testing Data · Official source directory