Pro Se Vs. Hire a Lawyer

[sdbird101]

I agree, if you can afford it, go with the attorney. If I had the money I would have for the peace of mind.

[Chowder]

.And does the US Trustee try to take advantage of you if you're filing pro se?

Even if you are an absolutely, positively, unequivocally, hands down, open and shut, no-brainer of a case, I'd still find an Attorney.

A good Attorney can cherry pick the right Trustee, and creditors are infinitely less likely to screw with you.

[tdawg]

Hey everyone,

I am starting to debate whether I should just file pro se. I have read many posts on here where people would have issues with their lawyers not returning calls and also filing much later than they expected. I would like to have the expertise that a lawyer offers, but don't want to deal with that, so I'm going back and forth on the issue. I paid a lawyer $500 as a deposit back in May or June, but I haven't given him anything since then. If I file pro se, I wouldn't mind giving up that $500.

I called him last Tuesday and left a message asking if I could set up an appointment to come in later that week or the start of this coming week because I am being laid off now and I have completed the paperwork he gave me and I'd like to come in and give it to him or his assistant. I haven't received a call back yet.

Should I be more patient? I would like to file by the end of this month if that makes sense, and would hate to be told he will file by then, but then he doesn't get around to it. It would be nice to be in control of when everything gets completed. But on the other hand, his expertise could come in handy. I might mess up filing something, and get slammed for it. What's everyone's opinion on this? Is it pretty easy to file yourself? And does the US Trustee try to take advantage of you if you're filing pro se?