Bankruptcy filings don't arrive at an even pace. Most firms see busy periods and quiet ones, and the pattern shifts with the economy, the holidays, tax-refund season, and local conditions. For a virtual bankruptcy assistant (VBA), a slow stretch can feel like a threat. Used well, it's an opportunity. This guide covers slow season strategies for bankruptcy assistants: how to see the pattern, what to do while work is light, and how to build income that stays steadier through the cycle. See also How Economic Hardship Affects Your Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant Service.
Understand the pattern (and its limits)
Many practitioners notice a lull around the end-of-year holidays, when people put off big decisions, and a busier period in the early part of the year, when tax refunds arrive and people have the money to pay a bankruptcy attorney's fee. Exact patterns differ by region, by chapter, and by year, so keep your own records: track how many petitions you prepare each month for a couple of years and you'll see yours. And remember that overall filing volume also follows the economy over longer cycles.
Ten slow season strategies for when work is light
1. Market harder, not less
A slow season is the best time to reach attorneys, because they have more time to read your message and think about staffing for the busy period ahead. Send your portfolio, follow up, and make calls. See Tips for Marketing to Attorneys, Marketing to Bankruptcy Attorneys on a Zero Budget and How to Build a Bankruptcy Petition Portfolio.
2. Follow up on every lead you've already generated
The attorney who said “maybe later” in the spring might say yes now. A short, friendly note with something useful is enough.
3. Deepen your skills
Take the training you've been putting off: Chapter 13 plan work, the means test, a new software feature. Skills you add now let you take on more complex, better-paid work later. See the Chapter 13 Mastery course and 20 Chapter 7 Means Test Mistakes.
4. Get your work reviewed
Use quiet time to practice on sample petitions, and have one reviewed. A bankruptcy petition review shows where to improve.
5. Improve your systems
Rewrite your intake checklist, polish your templates, tighten your delivery process, and set up better file security. See Delivering a Finished Bankruptcy Petition and Business Set-Up Basics. A faster, cleaner process raises your effective hourly rate.
6. Add services that don't depend on new filings
Chapter 13 case monitoring, amendments, document organization, and other ongoing tasks continue regardless of the filing rate. See 7 Bankruptcy Assistant Services to Add and Chapter 13 Trustee Checklist.
7. Create content
Write helpful posts or short guides for your website. They keep working for you while you're busy. Our blog shows the kinds of topics attorneys' staff search for.
8. Network
Attend bar events, join online communities, and keep in touch with other assistants. Referrals often come from peers. See What Is NAVBA?
9. Review your pricing and your numbers
Check your cost per case, what you earned per hour, and which clients are the most profitable. See Evaluate Your Cost-Per-Case and Bankruptcy Petition Preparation Pricing.
10. Take care of yourself
Take real time off. Burnout is common in the busy periods, and a rested assistant is a better one. See How to Be More Productive While Working From Home and Perks of Working From Home.
Prepare for the busy season before it arrives
- Set your capacity. Know how many petitions you can handle in a week, and what you'll do when you can't take more.
- Line up backup. Consider another trained assistant you can refer to or collaborate with. Our Bankruptcy Petition Agency Training & Certification is built for training a team.
- Pre-qualify your clients. Know which firms send steady work and pay on time. See How to Vet Bankruptcy Attorney Clients.
- Have an emergency-work policy. See Emergency Bankruptcy Filing Checklist.
Keep a financial cushion
Because income comes in waves, set aside money in the busy months for the quiet ones, and for taxes. A cushion lets you make good decisions, such as turning down a bad client, instead of desperate ones. See The Reality of Starting a Business.
Make your next busy season your best. The Chapter 7 & 13 training and certification system and its marketing bonuses, including the Bankruptcy Attorney Marketing List, give you what you need to build a steady business.
Frequently asked questions
Which months are busiest?
It varies by region and year. Track your own numbers rather than relying on a general rule.
Should I lower my prices when it's slow?
Generally no. Discounts are hard to undo. Add value or add services instead.
Is bankruptcy work recession-proof?
Filing volume tends to rise when the economy weakens, but individual firms and seasons still vary. Diversify your clients and services.
This article is general business education, not financial advice, and it makes no promise of income. Filing patterns vary by place and time. Questions about our courses? See the FAQ.