1. A copy of the last tax return you have filed. (If you are required to file a tax return)
2. All of the pay stubs you and your spouse have received from any employer in the last seven months. (I'll need your spouse's pay stubs even if they aren't planning on filing bankruptcy. If you're self employed I'll probably eventually need a year's worth of 1099s and/or bank statements. A copy of your statement from the Social Security Administration stating how much your benefits are if you are retired or disabled)
3. Copy of any lawsuits, loan documents, statements, contracts, collection letters, garnishment notices, invoices, child support orders, etc...anything that you can find that details who you owe money to and how much you owe them...any of these documents you can find laying around the house or in the car. (Some of your creditors will show up on your credit report. However, many of your creditors will not.)
4. Your driver license and social security card.
5. If this is an emergency situation where your wages are being garnished or your house is about to be foreclosed on, you can greatly speed up the process by going to www.ccadvising.com or a similar approved credit counseling site and completing the "1st Pre-filing Course". It is a requirement before the bankruptcy can actually be filed. If you don't have access to a computer, you can take the course in our office. 
6. The exact mileage and VIN#s of any vehicles that are in your name. (This is primarily used to identify and value your vehicle(s). Generally, you will not lose your car in bankruptcy unless you decide to voluntarily surrender it to the bank to eliminate the payment.) (The VIN # will be on your vehicle registration)

NOTE: If you don't have these documents right now, we can still meet and discuss your situation in general terms. Before a bankruptcy can be filed, you will have to get these documents together. Sometimes we can help you with that. These documents are required by the court and are similar to an MRI or X-ray at the doctor's office. Until we have them, we can't really know what is going on and your options. Most of these documents are required by law in order to file. Feel free to contact Lewisburg, Tennessee bankruptcy law attorney Ivan McCullough with any questions that you have.