Help for individuals considering consumer bankruptcy in Poland
Debt can bring shame and a sense of helplessness. The first step is always a calm, individual conversation about your situation — only then do we establish whether, and how, to file a consumer bankruptcy petition under Polish law.
Situation and eligibility analysis
Checking whether a consumer bankruptcy petition can be filed in your situation, and discussing which circumstances may matter for the case.
Help gathering documents
Support compiling the asset schedule, the list of creditors, income information, and other documents required to file the petition.
Preparing and filing the petition
Drafting the bankruptcy petition in line with statutory requirements, to reduce the risk of formal deficiencies and unnecessary delay.
Representation throughout the proceedings
Support at each subsequent stage of the case, including communication with the court, the trustee, and creditors, within the limits permitted by law.
Assets, repayment plan, and debt discharge
Explaining the possible next stages — including matters relating to assets and housing, the creditors' repayment plan, and the conditions for debt discharge. See Assets, housing, and the debtor's duties and Repayment plan and debt discharge.
Creditor negotiations
Where negotiating with creditors is a realistic alternative or complement to formal proceedings, I help conduct them.
Consumer bankruptcy is not automatic debt discharge
Filing for consumer bankruptcy does not automatically or guarantee the discharge of all liabilities. The court may set a repayment plan lasting several years, and certain obligations — such as maintenance (alimony) obligations — are never discharged. The outcome depends on the specific financial and personal situation and on the court's assessment. The information above is general — the actual scope of help is established after analysing your situation.
Questions and answers
A consumer bankruptcy petition can be filed by an individual who is not running a business, and in certain circumstances also by a former sole trader. Eligibility to file is assessed individually, based on the specific financial situation and debt history.
Not necessarily. Assets forming part of the bankruptcy estate may be sold, but the law provides for certain exclusions and for setting aside funds to cover the debtor's basic needs, including rent for a defined period. The scope and effects depend on the individual's financial and family situation.
The duration depends on the complexity of the case, including the state of the assets, the number of creditors, and any disputes. After bankruptcy is declared, there may be an asset liquidation stage, followed — if liabilities are not fully satisfied — by a court-ordered repayment plan, usually lasting several years.
The law does not require mandatory representation by an advocate or legal counsel in individual bankruptcy proceedings. A licensed restructuring adviser can help prepare the petition and documentation and provide support throughout the case — whether to additionally involve a lawyer is best decided after analysing the specific situation.
Once the repayment plan has been properly completed, the court may discharge the remaining liabilities covered by the proceedings. This does not apply to all debts, however — maintenance (alimony) obligations and certain other categories are never discharged. The final scope of discharge is determined by the court, taking into account the entire course of proceedings.
The cost depends on the scope and complexity of the case and the time involved — it cannot be determined without first analysing the situation. During an initial, no-obligation conversation, I outline the realistic scope of work, and an approximate cost can be established at that point.
Let's talk calmly about your situation
An initial contact is just a conversation — no obligation.