The Downsides Of Filing For Bankruptcy Without A Lawyer

Blog

One of the challenging parts of filing for bankruptcy is coming up with the money you need for it. When you file, you must pay the filing fees and legal fees your lawyer charges. To save money, you might consider filing without a lawyer. While you can legally do this, you might want to think twice about it. You might encounter some downsides by filing yourself, and here are some of them.

You Might Pick the Wrong Branch

The first downside of filing for bankruptcy yourself is that you might choose the wrong branch of bankruptcy. Without legal representation, you have no one providing the advice you need to make the necessary decisions. If you file for the wrong branch, you might encounter one of two problems. First, the court might dismiss your case if you do not qualify for the branch you used. Secondly, you might not receive the relief you need the most from filing.

You Might Forget Some Debts

The second downside of filing yourself is that you might forget to include some of your debts. When you hire a lawyer, they look for every debt you might have. They pull your credit file to find debts, and they ask you a lot of questions to ensure that you include every debt you have. If you skip some debts when filing yourself, you might miss out on some relief that you could have received through your case.

You Might Not Complete All the Right Paperwork

The next downside of filing alone is that you might not complete all the right paperwork. Bankruptcy requires many forms. If you miss even one document, the court might decide to drop your case, leaving you without any relief.

You Might Make Other Mistakes

There are many other mistakes that you can make when filing for bankruptcy yourself. You can avoid these, though, by hiring a lawyer for help. For example, if you use your credit cards for luxury purposes within six months of filing, the court can dismiss your case for fraud or choose not to provide a discharge for that particular debt.

If you want to save money on bankruptcy, talk to a bankruptcy lawyer to see if they offer a payment plan. Filing without a lawyer might cost less, but it might not be worth it in the long run. Talk to a bankruptcy law attorney today to learn more.

Share

23 November 2021

Getting Through Bankruptcy With Minimal Stress

Filing for bankruptcy has a tendency to make people feel ashamed and stressed out, and can turn into a big source of depression if not handled properly. As a counselor for couples and families, I have worked with various families throughout the years who have had to go through bankruptcy. And during this time, I have seen firsthand how, with the right mindset, going through bankruptcy can make people stronger in their financial lives and careers. I started this blog to provide information about the right things to do and the things that should be avoided while going through bankruptcy to minimize stress and maximize potential once the process is over. If you have any questions or concerns, hopefully they can be addressed on these pages.