- You or your attorney must visit the United States Courthouse, room 6301 at 700 Stewart Street in Seattle to file bankruptcy. To get into the building, you must present a valid government-issued photo ID and undergo security screening. The court staff cannot give you legal advice. As of March 2011, the court clerk's office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you have additional questions, call the office at 206-370-5200.
- Once you or an attorney have completed bankruptcy filing paperwork, you must pay court costs or make arrangements to do so. As of 2011, it costs $274 to request a Chapter 13 repayment plan and $299 to declare Chapter 7, according to the United States Bankruptcy Court Western District of Washington. Seattle court staff cannot accept checks or credit cards from debtors. In some circumstances, the court will approve a fee waiver or installment payment plan.
- Once you filed a Seattle bankruptcy case, you must attend a 341 meeting of creditors or your case will be dismissed. This rule applies even if you hired an attorney to handle your case. While creditors can show up to object to your case, this incidence rarely happens. Unless you lied to get credit or to file bankruptcy, your 341 hearing should be brief and uneventful.
- Those who file bankruptcy in Seattle risk losing assets. But state asset exemption laws allow residents to retain some property despite bankruptcy status. As of 2011, Seattle residents can keep up to $125,000 of real estate equity, $2,500 of motor vehicle value and $100 in cash or bank accounts. Other asset exemptions include $1,500 in furs and jewelry, $1,000 of wearing apparel, $2,700 of household goods and yard equipment and $1,500 of family pictures and keepsakes. Self-employed people or business owners can also retain up to $5,000 of office furniture and equipment and up to $5,000 in additional motor vehicles.
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