Expert: Mark J. Markus- California Bankruptcy Attorney - 4/29/2009

Question
I have boxes of paperwork for the credit cards, loans and other debts that were discharged in my bankruptcy. Some statements may be older than 12 years as that is how long I had some of the accounts. Once these debts are discharged is there any reason to save all these old credit card statements or closed bank account statements, if I don't need them for tax purposes. Wouldn't saving the last statement I got from each creditor, bank, etc. be more than enough to keep since the debts are discharged and no longer valid. Yes I will be keeping the actual filing paperwork which list all the names, addresses and account #'s that were discharged. So can I toss the majority of all the old statements or is there some reason I need to hang on to them??

Answer
Other than for tax purposes, I think it's safe to get rid of most of the documents, but I would be sure to keep everything from 6 months prior to filing that shows the information that you used for the means test.   It's always possible someone could reopen your case if they find something was inaccurate with what you put on the petition.   That's very unlikely to occur though.