Bankruptcy-To do it yourself or not to do..

[hypertweeky]

Hello everyone

I was trying to find some answers about bankruptcy and I came across this site, I don't have much idea of bankruptcy so sorry in advance..
My husband is going to file bankruptcy, he had an appointment with an attorney, she gave him all the paperwork he needs to fill out. Filing is going to cost us a good chunk (chunk that right now we don't really have) but oh well that is another story.
I have a question.. is bankruptcy (chapter 7) something we can do by ourselves?, I have heard you need an attorney but I have also heard that is a do-it yourself thing. I would like to get some feedback from you!
Thanks A LOT in advance!!

[HHM]

Legally, you CAN represent yourselves in a BK. The main question is whether that is advisable or not and that depends on your individual circumstances. If your's is a fairly simple case, i.e. mostly credit card debt, no judgments or lawsuits against you, you are either unemployed, or employed but not making very much money, then you can probably handle it yourself.

[hypertweeky]

Legally, you CAN represent yourselves in a BK. The main question is whether that is advisable or not and that depends on your individual circumstances. If your's is a fairly simple case, i.e. mostly credit card debt, no judgments or lawsuits against you, you are either unemployed, or employed but not making very much money, then you can probably handle it yourself.

Hey there
Thanks for your prompt response.
Here is our situation: Newlyweds (not filing together, just my husband).
20,000 medical bills and a secured loan on a trailer home, his ex's dad took it away when my now husband and his daughter broke up, he doesn't even know where the trailer-home is. On his credit report shows as 35,000 in debt
He has a job.. and I will start working on the 25.
What do you think??
Thanks again!!

[shardena]

chapter 7

He should definitely file a chapter 7. However bankruptcy law can be tricky. He should pay an attorney. Chapter 7 is not that expensive, and most attorneys will work with you (take payments form you)

I pray everything works out.

[vic6string]

In general, I always tell people to go with an attorney unless a) they flat out cannot afford one..which is not usually the case as many of them will work out payment plans and the fees are usually not too bad. or b) they have a legal background themselves and have at least seen the paperwork (ex a paralegal or legal secretary). Yes, you can file w/o a lawyer. The paperwork is not very complicated and you can get alot of info from places like this board on the little things that can be done. In the long run, however, you are talking about a life-altering event. You can read on this very board what happens when a lawyer messes up or forgets to mention or do something and how it puts people in a bad spot. Now if the lawyers messed up, how hard do you figure it would be for you to mess up. Also, if the lawyer messes up bad, you can threaten legal action if it is not rectified. If you mess up, what are you going to do? sue yourself?