Using Online Service

[shconfidential]

Hello everyone,
I'm new here and let me say that for the past couple of days I have been reading all the threads posted and was relieved to find this forum.

Here's the deal, I am long overdue to follow through with a Chapter 7. Medical, Medical, along with other lingering debts that I will never be able to manage left over from a divorce many years ago have kept me sick with stress, working 2 and 3 jobs and paranoid with fear. It is time to follow through.

Now, I have no assets with the exception of my vehicle which I am 1 month behind on but need to keep. I have no savings and paying an attorney seems impossible.

After looking, I am considering one of the online Bankruptcy services and would appreciate any feedback. [edited by moderator to remove bk mill name]

Any thoughts or suggestions????

[lrprn]

Welcome to BK Forum, shconfidential - glad you found us!

Here's the deal, I am long overdue to follow through with a Chapter 7.

A few questions for you first. If you look back six months, how much income from all sources did you earn? Are you married? Kids? Which state do you live in? Have you lived in the state for at least two years? Have your creditors or collectors been awarded court judgments against you? Are your wages being garnished? Answering these questions will help us help you sort out if you qualify to file for Ch 7 and how straightforward your case is.

Now, I have no assets with the exception of my vehicle which I am 1 month behind on but need to keep.

If you file Ch 7 and want to keep the car, then you must be caught up on payments. You can't be in arrears.

I have no savings and paying an attorney seems impossible.

If you are certain you are going to file, then stop paying all the non-secured debts you have. Save that money and use it to pay for an experienced bankruptcy lawyer in your area.

After looking, I am considering one of the online Bankruptcy services and would appreciate any feedback. [edited by moderator to remove bk mill name]

The problem you will have using an online bankruptcy mill is although they are cheap, they also don't know the culture and practices of your local bankruptcy court and trustees. This could lead to problems with your case after filing. If you do go this route, be sure that a lawyer is handling your case, not just a paralegal.

If you aren't dealing with judgments or garnishments, then given what you've shared so far, your case sounds pretty straightforward. If you are willing to do a lot of homework, it's possible you could file your Ch 7 on your own without a lawyer - it's called filing pro se. We have several members here who have done it and can give you more information about it.

If you decide to try the pro se route, then get these two excellent books to help you - Nolo's How to File for Ch 7 Bankruptcy at http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...51A79/213/161/ and Daniel Sitarz's Personal Bankruptcy Simplified at http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...51A79/213/161/ . It will be the best $50 you ever spent!

[cathywhite4495]

I agree with lrpn. The books contain the forms you need and you can get an idea of if you feel comfortable doing it yourself. Even if you decide to get an attorney, you will be very informed about the process and in a better position to judge the atty and what he/she is doing.

[shconfidential]

More Online notions

Thanks so much for the advice-I have ordered it and should have it on Monday.

Now, as far as judgments, assets, etc. well, there is only 1 judgment out there that I am aware of and thusfar, no garnishments. My car payment will be current after the 16th of this month and I own no property.

So, with all that said, would I really need an attorney? The online services sure do make it sound cut and dry considering my circumstances. If anyone out there has actually used one of these services, I would love to hear how it did or did not work for you.

Thanks so much

[guzzie]

hi and welcome....I thought about the online thing for 30 seconds....too important a life
decision to me.....you may be comfortable doing it yourself...many people do.....these books would help you a great deal....I found an atty was best for my situation.....you'll know what course of action to take.....good luck in the process......

[Boscoe]

I just really believe that, unless you have absolutely no money to spend for an attorney, hire one and let them lead you through this.. Like was said above, this is too important a life decision to leave up to chance.

Also, the only good pro se situation (in my opinion) would be one with no non exempt assets left over, in other words, no money left for creditors and a straight chapter 7, in and out in 120 days...............

[cj59]

:-)