COVID19 has affected all of our lives in so many ways including how my bankruptcy clients interact with me for filing their bankruptcies in Connecticut. With the emphasis on safety first I have developped a completely remote process to telephone or zoom conference with my bankruptcy clients with effective use of email to deliver the requisite notices and requirments and receive back the documents I need for their filings. After the initial client inquiry I schedule either a tele-conference or zoom conference depending on the client's preference and their computer capabilities to review with them the information and documents I need for their filing. In preparation for this conference I email to my clients my retainer letter with required Debt Relief Agency disclosures and other relevant documents for this conference. During the conference I review these documents with them including the credit report authorization form they need to return and credit counseling courses required; ask them questions to complete the bankruptcy worksheet and bankruptcy documents required checklist and review the timelines and process for Chapter 7 or 13 depending on which chapter is appropriate for them. I send them followup email(s) based on the results of this conference with forms and the list of diocuments needed to complete their bankruptcy filing including an authorization to e-file their bankruptcy without their actual signatures on the bankruptcy petition and schedules. The Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut has issued an order allowing the use of this form in lieu of actual signatures due to the impact of COVID19. Once the bankrutpcy petiton and schedules are ready for filing I email my clients these documents for their review to confirm their accuracy before filing them. After they are filed the bankrutpcy court will schedule a telephonic creditors meeting which the Unites States Trustee has adopted as a safe method to conduct these meetings due to COVID19. After the creditors meeting the process continues to be conducted remotely including any court hearings, if scheduled, which the Bankruptcy Court now holds on the zoom.gov platform. In conclusion, if you need to file bankruptcy, but are concerned about doing it safely my remote procedures in conjunction with those adopted by the Bankruptcy Court allows you to do so safely with no threat to your health from COVID19.
