[Name; State Bar ID No.] [Address] [Telephone] Attorney for Debtor(s) UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA In re ) ) ) ) ) Case No. Debtor(s). RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAPTER 13 DEBTORS AND THEIR ATTORNEYS It is important for Debtors who file a chapter 13 bankruptcy case to understand their rights and responsibilities. It is also important for Debtors to know what their attorney's responsibilities are, and to understand the importance of communicating with their attorney to make the case successful. Debtors should also know that they may expect their attorney to perform certain services. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, an attorney retained to represent a Debtor in a bankruptcy case is responsible for representing the Debtor for all purposes in the case other than adversary proceedings. When appropriate, the attorney may apply to the court for compensation additional to the maximum initial fees set forth below. In order to assure that Debtors and their attorneys understand their rights and responsibilities in the bankruptcy process, absent a contrary court order, Debtors and their attorneys agree as set forth below. BEFORE THE CASE IS FILED, THE DEBTOR AGREES TO: 1. 2. Discuss with the attorney the Debtor's objectives in filing the case. Timely provide the attorney with accurate information, financial and otherwise, and all documentation requested by the attorney. BEFORE THE CASE IS FILED, THE ATTORNEY AGREES TO: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Meet with the Debtor to review the Debtor's debts, assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Counsel the Debtor regarding the advisability of filing either a chapter 13 or a chapter 7 case, discuss both procedures with the Debtor, and answer the Debtor's questions. Timely prepare and file the Debtor's petition, plan, lists, statements, schedules, required documents and certificates. Review with the Debtor the completed petition, plan, lists, statements, schedules, required documents and certifications, as well as all amendments thereto, whether filed with petition or later. Explain which payments will be made directly to creditors by the Debtor and which payments will be made through the Debtor's chapter 13 plan, with particular attention to mortgage and vehicle loan or lease payments. Explain to the Debtor how, when, and where to make the chapter 13 plan payments. Explain to the Debtor how, when, and where to make post-petition mortgage and vehicle loan or lease payments. Explain to the Debtor that the attorney is being engaged to represent the Debtor for all purposes in the case, except adversary proceedings, pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 2017-1(a)(1). Page 1 of 3 EDC 3-096 (Rev. 5/1/12) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 9. 10 . Explain to the Debtor how and when the attorney's fees and chapter 13 trustee's fees are determined and paid, and provide an executed copy of this document to the Debtor. Advise the Debtor of the necessity to maintain appropriate insurance including homeowner's insurance and liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance on vehicles securing loans or leases. AFTER THE CASE IS FILED, THE DEBTOR AGREES TO: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Keep the chapter 13 trustee and attorney informed of the Debtor's current address and telephone number, and the Debtor's employment status. Inform the attorney of any change in the Debtor's marital status, the commencement of any child or spousal support obligation, or a change in any existing child support or spousal support obligation. Inform the attorney of any wage garnishments or liens or levies on assets that occur or continue after the filing of the case. Contact the attorney promptly if the Debtor loses his/her job, encounters new or unexpected financial problems, if the Debtor's income increases, or if the Debtor receives, or learns of the right to receive, money or other proceeds of an inheritance or legal action. Contact the attorney promptly if the Debtor is sued during the case, or if the Debtor commences a lawsuit or intends to settle any dispute. Inform the attorney if any tax refunds to which the Debtor is entitled are seized or not received when expected from the IRS or Franchise Tax Board. Contact the attorney before transferring, selling, encumbering, refinancing, or otherwise disposing of any personal or real property with a value of $1,000 or more. Contact the attorney before incurring new debt exceeding $1,000. Pay directly to the attorney any filing fees. AFTER THE CASE IS FILED, THE ATTORNEY AGREES TO: 1. 2. 3. 4. Advise the Debtor of the requirement to attend the §341(a) meeting of the creditors and instruct the Debtor as to the date, time and place of the meeting. In joint cases, inform the Debtor that both spouses must appear. Appear at the §341(a) meeting of creditors with the Debtor. Timely serve the Debtor's plan on the chapter 13 trustee. Timely provide to the chapter 13 trustee the Domestic Support Obligation Checklist (form EDC 3-088), Class 1 Checklist (form EDC 3-086), and Authorization to Release Information to Trustee Regarding Secured Claims Being Paid By the Trustee (form EDC 3-087) required by Local Bankruptcy Rule 3015-1(b)(6). Timely respond to objections to plan confirmation and, where necessary, prepare, file, and serve an amended plan. Prepare, file, and serve necessary modifications to the plan which may include suspending, lowering, or increasing plan payments. Prepare, file and serve any necessary amended statements and schedules and any change of address, in accordance with information provided by the Debtor. Object to improper or invalid claims, if necessary, based upon documentation provided by the Debtor. Prepare and file a proof of claim, when appropriate, if a creditor fails to do so. Prepare, file, and serve motions to modify the plan after confirmation, when necessary. Prepare, file, and serve motions to buy, sell, or refinance property, when appropriate. Prepare, file, and serve any other motion that may be necessary to appropriately represent the Debtor in the case. Timely respond to all motions filed by the chapter 13 trustee, and represent the Debtor in response to other motions filed in the case including, but not limited to, motions for relief from stay. Where appropriate, prepare, file, serve, and set for hearing motions to avoid liens on real or personal property and motions to value the collateral of secured creditors as required by Local Bankruptcy Rule 3015-1(j). Repre