System4U

[system4u]

I experienced total disrespect and moral bullying as a pro se filer. First, with the gatekeeper at the clerk window and the Trustee told me that he was going to rename me and accused me of having someone else to help me because my paperwork appeared too professional. Bullying from the case administrator and security. My confidence kept me smiling and I submitted feedback on the courthouse website anonymously yet they contacted me.

[despritfreya]

I am sorry you feel bullied by the system. Pro se debtors are at a big disadvantage because, by Case Law, they are expected to know the law and procedure just like an attorney. Right or wrong, people who work for the courts and/or the trustee get frustrated when dealing with those without an attorney due to the appearance that the debtor has no clue what he/she is doing. Unfortunately, this is the reality of what happens.

My suggestion is to hire an attorney so that you are shielded from the day-to-day inconveniences and perceptions. If you cannot afford an attorney or simply do not want to hire one, I would suggest that you visit with volunteer attorneys that offer their services at the court’s self-help center. Here is the link for information on this:

https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/program...stance-project

If this "project" is modeled on the original Self Help Center set up in Arizona many years ago, my guess is that it is very good.

As you go forward in this process, if you have question, feel free to post them. There are many very knowledgeable folks on this Forum and, if they can assist with answers, they will.

Des.

[justbroke]

I concur with everything that despritfreya has written. It can certainly feel like bullying but, as des wrote, you are expected to know everything; procedure and the law. Most bankruptcy courts have a Pro Se clinic specifically to help address those gaps. We have a judge down here that is very Pro Se friendly but it drives all the other attorney absolutely bonkers. That is why you are feeling this sort of disrespect. I won't go into why the Trustee believes your paperwork is "too good to be true" but suffice it to say that there are people out there actually practicing law by helping people fill out the forms. The Trustee's are actually required to inquire as to who completed the forms and if you received any help. It's a major issue down here in Florida.

As des also wrote, feel free to ask questions here. The Pro Se forum was specifically built for that purpose.

Don't even talk to me about federal courthouse security. They are way too serious for me but I work in federal buildings so I'm to the aura they present.

Any tips or tidbits you want to know about, feel free to ask! You may want to post specifically to the Pro Se forum area.