Is there a time limit to get a case number after you have retained a lawyer to avoid creditor contact?

The case number is issued after your case has been filed. If you hired an attorney solely to avoid creditor contact, and not to file a bankruptcy, there would not be a case number. If you did hire them to file bankruptcy, then the time period depends on what you and the attorney agreed to.  What does it say in your retainer agreement?  Have you provided the attorney all the requested documentation and information for them to prepare your case?  Have you paid all the fees?   I am not really sure what your issue is and there's too much missing information to guess.   Mark Markus has been practicing exclusively bankruptcy law in California since 1991.  He is a Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization,  AV-Rated by martindale.com, and A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.