How to File for Bankruptcy Without Lawyers

Bankruptcy is regulated by federal law; therefore any filing for bankruptcy has to be done in federal court. There are 94 federal judicial districts in the United States, and each has one or more bankruptcy courts.Bankruptcy helps individuals or businesses repay overwhelming debt. It can help them pay off creditors or arrange for a payment plan. Through bankruptcy, businesses are able to make orderly payments to their creditors either by reorganization of liquidation of assets.

Things You'll Need

• Credit counseling
• Necessary documentation and filing fees.

Instructions

1. Get credit counseling at least 180 days before filing. The new bankruptcy law requires that individuals receive credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy. Be sure to obtain proof of such counseling.

2. Compile your financial records. When filing for bankruptcy you will need to prove that you are overwhelmed by your debt and can no longer pay. You will need to get your bills together and all your creditor information to prove this.

3. Study the federal government bankruptcy Web site (see Resources below) extensively and obtain specific information for the bankruptcy court in the federal court system in the district in which you live.

4. Gather all the documentation required, as well as your filing fees, and file the paperwork in the bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy forms are available in fillable form on the bankruptcy Web site.

Tips & Warnings

• Businesses filing for bankruptcy must do so with the help of an attorney even if it is a one-man business. Most individuals who file bankruptcy also hire a bankruptcy attorney. It usually costs a few thousand dollars on average depending on where in the country you are located. Though it is always advisable to use the services of an attorney, an individual can file on his or her own without a bankruptcy lawyer, especially in very straightforward non-complicated cases.

Resources

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Information
• American Bar Association