Suggestons on Filing myself
What is the best route if I file myself and what exspences am I looking at?? If I cannot find a paralegal in our area can anyone suggest a good on-line filing company. I need help right away. Thanks
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It depends on how much self-study you want to do, as well as your situation. If you have assets you want to keep that are non-exempt and/or you have disposable income above your expenses, you will have to file a Chapter 13. A Ch 13 is best handled by a lawyer. In fact, you can start a Ch 13 by just paying the filing fee and the lawyer can have his fees financed into the Ch 13 payment plan.
If you have no assets/little assets and no income, you can file a Ch 7. As long as your situation is not complicated, like you are in the middle of a divorce proceeding, or most of your debts are non-dischargable, you should be able to file a Chapter 7 with no problem.
It seems that, from most expensive to least expensive, you can file bankruptcy by: using a lawyer, using a paralegal or filing service, using bankruptcy software, buying a Nolo book and doing it yourself, going to the library and studying on bankruptcy, and downloading the forms you need from your local Bankruptcy Court website.
Actually, that last option was free! With the exception of the filing fee of $209.00, and you can do that in installments.
Yesterday I filed my own Chapter 7 using forms I downloaded from the website and a $75.00 downpayment toward my filing fee. I have two more payments of $67.00 that I have to pay in 30 days and 60 days or my bankruptcy will be discharged.
I studied and studied as much information that I could from this forum and other bankruptcy websites.
I also called several lawyers and took advantage of the free consultations.
Finally, I went to the bookstore and read what I could from the bankruptcy books that are there. -
Oh yeah, an excellent bankruptcy software that is really affordable is Form7. I think it is only $39.95 and when you download the free demo, it includes what you need to file an emergency bankruptcy for free. In other words, it includes the volunatry petition and the mailing matrix for free. To access the schedules you will have to pay for the software and get the unlock code. This is good for emergencies in case you are facing eviction, foreclosure or repossession, and you are on a time crunch.
You will also need to file the Pro Se affidavit since you are filing without a lawyer, and the installment form if you want to pay your filing fee in installments. I also had to file the social security declaration form. I got these from my local bankruptcy court website.
Make sure you wait to sign the Pro Se affidavit until you get to the court, unless you have it notarized beforehand. Also, make at least three copies of all the filled out forms, and take them with you when you file.Comment
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One more thing, feel free to call your local bankruptcy court and simply ask them which forms you need. That's what I did, and they were very helpful. But they don't give legal advice.Comment
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