The Best Bankruptcy Client Of The Year

This is a true story. A client hired me a week ago to file Chapter 7. He wore a suit and tie to the initial conference - unusual for bankruptcy clients, but a good sign because his dress showed he took this meeting seriously. ( I never wear a tie). The client’s name is John (not really). John wanted to file bankruptcy in one week, and he said he would have all the paperwork properly completed by then. I told him "good luck" but that for most clients it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to properly prepare a bankruptcy petition and to collect all the backup documents required to be either filed or reviewed.

Today, one week later, John and my secretary came into my office (John had his jacket and tie) and announced that his case was ready to be filed. I was, to say the least, very surprised. I asked John, "How did you do this? No one files this quickly." Here is what he said (paraphrased as I did not record his statement, although I wish I had).

"Well, Mr. Alper, I remember listening very intently to everything you said during our initial conference. I carefully read all the written instructions you gave me, reviewed the Bankruptcy Basics handout you gave me, and I read twice whatever you underlined. This past week I kept thinking about following your directions and your procedures. I organized all the documents you wanted, and I kept thinking how I could clearly provide information to your secretary. "

John is a great bankruptcy client. In fact, if they every award a Nobel Prize or Heisman Trophy to bankruptcy clients I want to nominate this guy.

Bankruptcy is not fun, but it can be easy. If you have to file bankruptcy during the new year you can make the process easier and less stressful by reading what you get from the attorney or the court, by carefully following your attorney’s office procedures, and by showing appreciation for the attorney’s hard-working staff.

Comments

[Mark Buckley]

Are you sure this actually happened and was not a dream? Wow. Sounds like someone you should consider hiring to collect the docs from all the other clients who don't follow instructions. Here's to many more Mr. Alpers in 2010.