I have to file chapter 7 but cannot afford an attorney what can I do?
I have the software to do the bankruptcy myself but I would feel better with some representation.I can’t even get my taxes done because I can’t afford it. The IRS people are just so rude and could care less about my situation I am soooo lost. Help anyone? Any advise is worth listening to at this point. thanks.
I feel for you because I was there once. You may find an attorney who will let you pay in installments. Do an on-line search and e-mail them to ask. Also, you can call local ones in your area – I’m sure you will find one. Good luck!
June 26th, 2010 at 4:38 amYou can try to file by yourself and see what happens.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:38 amWhat do you have to lose ? If it takes a few attempts
to get it right, that’s OK… but of course a good lawyer
makes it go alot easier if you have the cash for his fee.
Actually you can get all of the forms on line for free and there is a form you can fill out to ask the court to wave the fee or to allow you to pay it in installments and you don’t need a lawyer at all.
Go to / or call your state and county for the bankruptacy court and they can tell you where to locate the forms.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:38 amOk..you don’t give much information here, but…if you look in your local phonebook find a few bankruptcy attorneys and make some calls, some will see you on a free consultation or free first hour. This way they can look at everything and give you the amount you will need, plus they can also advise on what you can stop paying to ease up some money to afford to file bankruptcy. I highly DO NOT recommend filing by yourself. If you don’t know what you are doing and aren’t confident, mistakes can be make with these new laws and you’re in more of a mess then, than you are now. The new laws require a "means test", do you know what that is?? Can u compute it to see if you qualify?? Do you know what you can and can’t include in a filing. Are u absolutely sure you qualify for a chapter 7…The new laws have lowered the amount of yearly income and have to be under a certain amount of money to qualify. I’m asking you this as I am a prior legal assistant and this is information that is important to know to file by yourself. Please contact a legal professional and get in to see them on a consultation. I’ve been in the credit field for ages, and bk as well and I filed and wouldn’t attempt to do it by myself! You can contact your local courts and find out if they know where you can get some free counsel….But, an attorney will be able to look at everything and tell you if you can free up some money. You can email me if you like….I would need to know a little bit more about how much income versus debt, etc to try and help you…and what state you are in. Good Luck!
June 26th, 2010 at 4:38 am