Friday I did my first initial consult with a prospective bankruptcy client by video conference.   A little over two hours later, we were done; and I thought the format was functional enough that it can replace a face-to-face, take off half a day to go meet the lawyer, traditional, in-office meeting.

The next step will be passing paperwork back and forth via my secure portal.  Of course, without a scanner, regular mail is an option as well.

Currently, most bankruptcy courts are allowing for the signing of the documents necessary to file a bankruptcy to be done remotely.  I am hopeful that we will be able to establish sufficiently secure procedures that we will be able to retain this.

Then, there is the First Meeting of Creditors (a/k/a the 341 hearing) which for most consumer debtors is the only time they have to go to the courthouse — except — currently, those are being conducted by telephone.  It has occurred to me that the client I met with by video on Friday and I might go all the way through the bankruptcy process and never be in the same room.

Elaine