If you are overwhelmed with debt and worried how you are going to pay your bills, the first step may be to talk to a lawyer about filing bankruptcy.

A bankruptcy attorney will help you prepare and file your voluntary petition and various supporting documents. You will need to provide information about your income, expenses, property and debt. These documents will be filed with the clerk at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Your case will then be assigned to a court appointed trustee who will go over your paperwork and make sure all the information is complete and correct. The trustee will notify your creditors about your bankruptcy and at that time, all creditors must stop any action against you to collect a debt. The trustee will also handle the disposition of your assets and oversee your case.

The next step when you file bankruptcy is to have a meeting with your attorney, the trustee, your creditors and possibly, the creditors' lawyers. All questions and objections will be brought up and settled at this time.

You will then attend a hearing with a U.S. District Court Judge who has the power to discharge your debt for a Chapter 7, or approve your payment plan for a Chapter 13.

Bankruptcy judges have large caseloads, and appreciate a case without delays or problems with paperwork. Working with an experienced attorney who is familiar with the process will be invaluable when it comes to filing bankruptcy.