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Rights And Responsibilities Of Chapter 13 Debtors And Their Attorneys (San Francisco) - California
| Rights And Responsibilities Of Chapter 13 Debtors And Their Attorneys (San Francisco) Form. This is a California form and can be used in USBC Northern Federal . |
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United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of California San Francisco Division RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAPTER 13 DEBTORS AND THEIR ATTORNEYS It is important for debtors who file a bankruptcy case under Chapter 13 to understand their rights and responsibilities. It is also important that the debtors know what their attorney's responsibilities are, and understand the importance of communicating with their attorney to make the case successful. Debtors should also know that they may expect certain services to be performed by their attorney. In order to assure that debtors and their attorney understand their rights and responsibilities in the bankruptcy process, the following guidelines provided by the court are hereby agreed to by the debtors and their attorneys. Unless the Court orders otherwise, I. BEFORE THE CASE IS FILED A. The debtor agrees to: 1. Provide the attorney with accurate financial information concerning income and expenses, and assets and liabilities. 2. Discuss with the attorney the debtor's objectives in filing the case. B. The attorney agrees to perform the following "Basic Services": 1. Meet with the debtor to review the debtor's assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. 2. Counsel the debtor regarding the advisability of filing either a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case, discuss both procedures with the debtor, and answer the debtor's questions. 3.Advise the debtor of the requirement (and procedures involved) for obtaining a credit counseling certificate and completing the debtor education course. 4.Advise the debtor of the requirement for providing documentation on income and tax return filings. 5. Explain what payments will be made directly by the debtor and what payments will be made through the debtor's Chapter 13 plan, with particular attention to mortgage and vehicle loan payments, as well as any other claims which accrue interest. 6. Explain to the debtor how, when, and where to make the Chapter 13 plan payments. 7. Explain to the debtor how the attorney's fees and trustee's fees are paid and provide an executed copy of this document to the debtor. 8. Explain to the debtor that the first plan payment must be made to the Chapter 13 Trustee within 30 days of the date the plan is filed. 9. Advise the debtor of the requirement to attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors, and instruct the debtor as to the date, time and place of the meeting. 10. Advise the debtor of the necessity of maintaining liability, collision and comprehensive insurance on vehicles securing loans or leases. 11. Timely prepare and file the debtor's petition, plan, statements and schedules. SF CH 13 Rights & Responsibilities Revised and Effective 10-1-08 1 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com II. AFTER THE CASE IS FILED A. The debtor agrees to: 1. Keep the Chapter 13 Trustee and attorney informed of the debtor's address and telephone number. 2. Inform the attorney of any wage garnishments or attachments of assets which occur or continue after the filing of the case. 3. Contact the attorney promptly if the debtor loses his/her job or has other financial problems. 4. Let the attorney know if the debtor is sued during the case. 5. Inform the attorney if any tax refunds the debtor is entitled to are seized or not returned to the debtor by the IRS or Franchise Tax Board. 6. Contact the attorney before buying, refinancing, or selling real property or before entering into any long-term loan agreements, to find out what approvals are required. 7. Pay directly to the attorney any filing fees and expenses that may be incurred. B. The attorney agrees to provide the following "Basic Services": 1. Appear at the 341 Meeting of Creditors with the debtor. 2. Respond to objections to plan confirmation, and where necessary, prepare an amended plan. 3. Prepare, file, and serve necessary modifications to the plan which may include suspending, lowering, or increasing plan payments. 4. Prepare, file, and serve necessary amended statements and schedules, in accordance with information provided by the debtor. 5. Prepare, file, and serve necessary motions to sell or refinance real property when appropriate. 6. Object to improper or invalid claims, if necessary, based upon documentation provided by the debtor. 7. Represent the debtor in motions for relief from stay. 8. Represent the debtor in motions to dismiss or convert. 9. Where appropriate, prepare, file, and serve necessary motions to avoid liens on real or personal property. 10. Review annual reports received from the Chapter 13 Trustee. 11. Monitor debtors' submission of annual tax returns to Chapter 13 Trustee. 12. Respond to continuing creditor inquiries. 13. Maintain contact with debtors regarding changes in financial situations during Chapter 13 case. 14. Assist with and ensure debtor's submission of appropriate declarations and other requirements for obtaining discharge. 15. Provide such other legal services as are necessary for the administration of the present case before the Bankruptcy Court. III. GUIDELINE FEES The "Guidelines for Payment of Attorney's Fees in Chapter 13 Cases" for the San Francisco Division provide for maximum initial fees in the following amounts: $ 3500 for the basic case; and an additional $ 850 if the case involves real property claims; SF CH 13 Rights & Responsibilities Revised and Effective 10-01-08 2 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com $ 500 for each additional parcel of real property with an encumbrance of at least $10,000; $ 700 if the case involves unfiled tax returns or objections to claims of taxing agencies; $ 500 $1500 $ 300 $ 800 $ 300 $ 500 $ 600 if if if if if if if the case involves vehicle loans or leases; the case involves an operating business; the Debtor has twenty-five or more creditors; the case involves domestic support claims; the case involves student loans; case involves Motions to Extend Stay; case involves Motions to Avoid Lien. 3. Additional flat fees for services rendered will be automatically approved upon application by counsel, without requiring the submission of time records and without a hearing, as follows: a. Plan modifications filed after one year from the petition date: $ 400 b. Permission to sell or refinance real property (unless the without an order order confirming the plan permits sale or refinance of the court), or for one or more motions to avoid judicial lien(s): i. Not requiring court hearing: $ 300 ii. Requiring court hearing: $ 450 c. New motions fo
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