Why does my bankruptcy attorney ask me for this - Bank Statements (pt 1)

I think ... sometimes ... my clients think I am nuts for asking for some of the documents I ask for and the way I need them. One set of documents I need are bank statements. That sounds easy enough, right? In this day and age, it is harder than you think.

Most clients do not receive their bank statements. They relay on electronic banking. They belief the screen print is a bank statement. It is not and most if not all of the trustees in this jurisdiction will not accept the electronic summary. I need the statement. It can be electronic and most times in can be found on the client's on-line banking site but it is not always easy.


Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The next caveat is it must be the full statement. After people find their statements, they tend to remove the blank pages or pages with "required" disclosures and announcements. I appreciate the effort to not load me up with unnecessary information. But the trustee wants the complete statement.

The statement is not just for the trustee though. Bankruptcy attorneys need to scrub them as well. The trustee will look for money transfers, influx of cash, and anything that is inconsistent with the documents the client filed to start the bankruptcy. The attorney should try to have the answers before the trustee asks.

Asking for documents is not to make people crazy. Statements are required to protect the client during the bankruptcy and required by the trustee.


If you want assistance, legal representation, or just want to know more about Mark M. Medvesky or Wells, Hoffman, Holloway & Medvesky LLP, check out our website at www.whhmlaw.com.

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