Paralegal

[justagirl]

Did anyone use a paralegal to help fill out all of the forms? I came across a BK paralegal who works in my district who offers her services on filling out all of the appropriate forms (including all local forms), following the case in PACER, etc. She has stellar references and to top it off, she worked with the US Trustee for a year - she reviewed Chapter 7 cases for my district. I have spoken to her thoroughly, and she does seem up to date on all changes and the whole process...sadly, she seems more knowledgable than a couple of the attorneys I spoke with! LOL

I was just wondering what everyone's opinion is. I'm thinking of retaining her services. I have reviewed her contract, she is reasonably priced, no hidden fees - just a flat fee for everything, even if additional changes/forms are needed to be filed.

JAG

[justbroke]

While I know you don't expect it, I must say it for the new and potential filers. The Paralegal is not allowed to give you any legal advice, including, but not limited to, telling you what amount to put where. They are technically there just to make sure that you have completed the forms correctly and that you completed the correct forms.

Having a knowledgeable paralegal goes far, in that they understand the local requirements for filing, and are up to date on which forms are necessary.

Many of these paralegals actually do most of the heavy lifting for the Attorneys, so it's no surprise that they technically know more about filing.

[justagirl]

Thanks so much for your response. And thank you for pointing out that paralegals cannot give legal advice. I did happen to know this fact and meant to make mention of this so as not to confuse others. My mind is so many places at once, I guess I just thought about saying it but never typed it!

JAG

[justbroke]

Let us know how the filing goes. The Trustee at your 341 Meeting will probably be impressed. (Although, the paralegal will put "prepared by non-lawyer" on your petition.) From recent posts on here, it seems to me that the Pro Se filers are submitting just as well prepared petitions as some attorneys. (ducking)

[justagirl]

I'll keep you all updated on how it goes.

It looks like the end of this week/beginning of next I will be getting her service contract to review and sign and then start the process after that.

Thanks again!

JAG

[MrSmithster]

i used a law firm, but only for the paperwork. they assigned me to a really good paralegal in their firm. he does all the firms paperwork even when a lawyer is used. i payed $499 and had to file myself, which is another $299. do you mind saying how much you are paying? im in so cal, and most lawyers want approx $2k plus these days, even for simple no asset, passed means test, chapter 7(like mine).

[justagirl]

I defintely understand where you're coming from. Mine's a pretty simple case also, and the attorneys wanted $1500 to $1800, and I live in a small town in Pennsylvania. I could only imagine in California!

My paralegal only charges $150. From what I understand, if I were to go through an attorney's office in my area for paralegal assistance, it would be about $300. She works for an attorney but also has her own "bankruptcy preparer" business. I'm in the process now of filling out her questionnaire and gathering the documents needed. I'm hoping to file by the end of July.

Hope everything is going well for you.

JAG

[MrSmithster]

sounds like a good deal. good luck, and dont worry about the 341 meeting, its a breeze.

[ogman]

I am also in Southern CA (Ventura). Can you provide give me the contact info of the attorney you settle on so I can check him out?

[justagirl]

I'm in the process of filling out the paralegal's interview form. I'm taking it very slowly, double and triple checking each section as I complete it. I should have it completed by the weekend and sent off to her. I'm also doing the pre-BK counseling this weekend.

So far, I'm highly impressed with her. Her interview form is highly organized and written in plain English so it is easy to understand what information is needed (except when I try to read too much into a question and make it more complicated than it is...lol).

I have been in contact with her a few times to ask her specific questions, and she has always answered promptly, usually within an hour, and from the research I have done she has also answered each question I've asked correctly.

Just thought I'd keep you updated on how it was working out.

JAG

[MrSmithster]

sounds like you have choosen wisely. let us know when you file and best wishes.

just wondering, what is your total debt?(mine is only $30k, but might as well be a million, due to income reduced by 1/3). how many creditors?(only 3 for me, i consolidated cc debt a few years prior). i am getting close to my discharge date and my creditors have sent me notices that my loans are forgiven due to BK, so i guess its pretty safe that they wont object at this point. im so glad i didnt pay a lawyer the $2500. for us simple 7s, i think Pro Se is the way to go.

[justagirl]

My debt is around $30,000 also, with 6 creditors. I didn't lose any income, but last summer/fall when the price of everything started skyrocketing, my income no longer met the demand - my food expense increased about 30%, my electric bill went up about $20 a month, my budget heating bill increased by almost $40 a month...and then to add icing on the cake, all my credit cards increased interest rates thus increasing my payments. Then I began to sink.

By November/December, I was using credit cards to pay for food and necessities...and was crazy enough to hold out hope that I would somehow climb out of it in the new year. Finally the end of April this year, I sat down and took stock of things, really analyzed my bills, and I was paying around $700/month on credit cards alone - and my balances were barely decreasing. Again, I was deciding between paying bills and buying food.

Finally in June started investigating BK, met with a ton of attorneys, found one I loved but couldn't afford...and then found this lovely place and a solution to my problem.

I'm glad things have gone so well for you! It must be a relief...I'm happy for you!

JAG

[MrSmithster]

sound very similar. im just a few months ahead as my income fell by 1/3 in jan as my cc's raised rates and min payments. when i filed i had a 680 fico with $15k still in avaliable credit, i could have milked it out longer, but just wanted to get a fresh start and out of the insanity of it all. i too knew there was no way i would ever pay off my balances in my life time(many sleepless nights, for many years leading up to this). keep us posted, good luck

[gowiththeflo]

Am I being ripped off? I was sent to the best BK attorney on Long Island and had to give him $3000 up front. Mine is a little complicated as I own three properties and have two lawsuits pending, as well as having to use the means test as I am over the median.

[StartingOver08]

gowiththeflow, it does not sound like you are being ripped off because you have a complex case (based on your post). Having the mulitple properties and two lawsuits is a little more complex than a simple Ch 7 IMO.