How to File for Self Bankruptcy
Individuals can file for bankruptcy protection without an attorney. Businesses, however, must file bankruptcy with an attorney. Filing bankruptcy as an individual is fairly easy without an attorney; however, a bankruptcy can rapidly become complex and an attorney may be well worth the expense. It might make sense to file for bankruptcy on your own and only hire an attorney if it becomes necessary later.
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Things You'll Need
- Past 60 days of wage stubs
- Most recent federal income tax return
- Credit counseling certificate
- Voluntary petition for bankruptcy
Instructions
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Decide what chapter of bankruptcy you want to file under. Individuals can generally file under Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13.
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Complete a credit counseling course from an approved credit counseling agency.
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Fill out a copy of a voluntary petition for bankruptcy.
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Attach your credit counseling certificate to your voluntary petition.
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File your voluntary petition in the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court located in your state.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are going to file for bankruptcy protection on your own then you need to spend a lot of time learning some bankruptcy basics. You should invest in a good reference manual to guide you in the process and to give you a collection of forms that you may need. A small investment now can save a lot of time and hassle later.
Be thorough and honest in all of your representations to the bankruptcy court, including anything you put in writing. If you are incomplete or inaccurate in any of your responses then your bankruptcy case may get dismissed. Filling out the paperwork is tedious and feels repetitive, but it is necessary for a successful bankruptcy petition.
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Comments
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Thank you for the information, I've been struggling the past 4 yrs attempting to get sastainable work, currently working as a Walmart checker part time, before the ecomony crashed I worked 3 jobs all lost in Nov, 2008 at that time I had a $0 ballance on my credit cards and money saved, I keep attempting to find a better job and I've become a fully licenced Insurance Agent although inorder to work for the companies. I've contacted, I need at least a 2 yr degree and good credit, some require $40,000.00 in assits, durring the last part of 2010 I became very sick, Hospital and Dr bills reached around $6000.00 after insurance, thank God I had insurance! I didn't want to take out bankrupcy, I do appreciate all that the credit card companies did for our family and the Dr's too, I know I have no way to pay and I realy want to pay them back if at all possible in the future. To think they beleived in me enough to trust me with $15,500.00 means alot to me, I'm also greatful to the Dr.'s for saveing my life, I wish I could show them by paying them for all they have done, I want to get into a position to pay them every penny they've earned becouse they deserve it.
