As you know, changes in the federal law now require electronic filing of bankruptcy petitions. These changes enable attorneys to outsource the preparation of bankruptcy petitions and have them electronically filed. Realistically, this can reduce the entire law firm's current in-house preparation time by 75%. Partnering with a Certified Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant can streamline your office operations and ensure that consistency and utmost confidentiality is maintained with one person handling the drafting of your petitions. Below is a typical example of how much time and money a bankruptcy forms processor, such as HVAS, can save your law firm:
Typical Time Spent Per Debtor Filing Bankruptcy:
| Service Performed | Staff Time | Attorney Time |
| Client Intake Interview | 45 Minutes | 15 Minutes |
| Gathering Documents | 1 Hour | 15 Minutes |
| Drafting Petition | 2 Hours | 0 |
| Client Phone Calls | 4 Hours | 1 Hour |
| 341 Meeting | 0 | 30 Minutes |
| TOTAL | 7 Hours, 45 Minutes | 2 Hours |
NOTE: If you charge $1,200.00 (example only) to represent a debtor in a Chapter 7, the staff and attorney spend an average of 9 hours per debtor. Divide 9 hours of time into $1,200.00 to calculate your current rate per hour. Also note that this figure does not include overhead expenses, office supplies, etc.
By allowing Henry's Virtual Assistant Services to relieve the heavy workload of drafting Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions, here is how the chart could look:
Typical Time Spent Per Debtor Filing Bankruptcy:
| Service Performed | Staff Time | Attorney Time |
| Client Intake Interview | 45 Minutes | 15 Minutes |
| Gathering Documents | 30 Minutes | 0 |
| Drafting Petition | 0 | 0 |
| Client Phone Calls | 0 | 0 |
| 341 Meeting | 0 | 30 Minutes |
| TOTAL | 1 Hour, 15 Minutes | 45 Minutes |
As you can see, by utilizing a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, you not only save money, but also:
• Relieve the current office staff from the heavy clerical workload involved in drafting bankruptcy petitions, allowing them more time to devote to advanced paralegal duties.
• Maintain consistency and a smoother workflow in the preparation of your bankruptcy petitions since one dedicated person (who works one-on-one with you) prepares the documents.
• Reduce your office staff and overhead expenses by 75% or more.
Here’s how easy it works:
STEP 1. Send an email to HVAS to request a set of Client Intake Forms.
STEP 2. Review the information with your client for completeness, then fax, scan, or email the Client Intake Forms along with the required supporting documentation.
STEP 3. Utilizing Best Case software, HVAS will draft and submit for your review a complete Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, including any additional local forms required for the filing of the petition.
********************* Disclaimer
Henry's Virtual Assistant Services (HVAS) is neither a law firm nor an attorney. No legal advice is provided in any manner to viewers, clients, the general public, or any other person(s). HVAS does not advise any person(s) as to their legal rights, remedies, or obligations under the laws of any state. Further, HVAS provides bankruptcy petition preparation services to attorneys only, and is well-versed in the knowledge of unauthorized practice of law. If you require legal advice, please contact a licensed attorney for assistance.