Legal Question in Bankruptcy in California

I guess my first question is why did your attorney quit? Attorneys are not allowed to unilaterally withdraw from cases, particularly in the Federal Court system. They either have to get from you a substitution of attorney (a document that tells the court you agree to his withdrawing and that either your new attorney will be representing you, or you are electing to proceed "pro se" without an attorney), or they must file a motion seeking to be relieved as your counsel. I don't believe there are any Bankruptcy Courts that would allow an attorney to withdraw unless he or she has a very sound reason for doing so. Not getting paid, by the way, is probably not grounds for withdrawal.

In any event, from your question, your situation is too complex to answer in this forum. I would suggest that you find a new attorney immediately, and he or she can file a motion with the Bankruptcy Court to extend the 15 days by which your schedules must be filed. It is better to do that, than to file schedules that are incomplete or incorrect. If you simply cannot afford an attorney, call Legal Aid Society for your county, or at a minimum, go read the Nolo Press book on bankruptcy. Although they cannot substitute for qualified advice, at least it may help you better understand what you are doing. As for your questions about what goes where, one big hint - schedule C is where you list your exemptions for real property listed on Schedule A, and personal property listed on Schedule B. The properties themselves need to be properly listed on A and B. ALL current income, regardless of source, should be set forth in gross amounts on Schedule I, and ALL current expenses in gross amounts should be set forth on Schedule J. Don't net anything out, unless the question asked on the form specifically asks for net amounts.

For your attorney, you can contact the State Bar and file a complaint. You can retain an attorney to pursue a potential legal malpractice claim; but before you do either, look at why he or she quit. One reason I see Bankruptcy attorneys unilaterally withdraw is that from time-to-time (and I am not saying this is your situation) people try to mislead their attorney or lie about assets, income, expenses or liabilities. An attorney put in that position might quit. Otherwise, I can't speculate as to why the attorney quit.

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