Help With Filing Bankruptcy
If you are contemplating pursuing a bankruptcy case, you may wonder what resources are available to you to help with filing bankruptcy. Although you legally can file a bankruptcy on your own, failing to seek at least some type of assistance in preparing and filing a case is not always the best idea. Because you are facing bankruptcy, you obviously are not flush with extra cash. In addition to engaging the services of a bankruptcy attorney, other low-cost options are available.
Other People Are Reading
-
Bankruptcy Petition Preparer
-
Hire a bankruptcy petition preparer. In most cases, the most challenging aspect of filing a bankruptcy is properly preparing the petition and associated documents. If you do not follow all legal requirements in preparing the petition and other materials, any case you file can be dismissed by the court.
A bankruptcy petition preparer is an individual with experience and training in completing a petition and all necessary paperwork associated with a bankruptcy case. Although a bankruptcy petition preparer cannot provide you with legal advice, she will ensure that all documents necessary to file and pursue a bankruptcy case appropriately are completed.
A bankruptcy petition preparer charges far less than an attorney. Rates vary from state to state and case to case. Therefore, before hiring a bankruptcy petition preparer, shop around.
Legal Aid or Law Clinic
-
Engage the services of a Legal Aid attorney or a law school clinic. The Legal Aid Society maintains offices and funds associated organizations across the United States. Legal Aid provides no-cost or low-cost legal representation to individuals in a number of different areas of the law. Its staff includes bankruptcy attorneys.
Most law schools in the United States have clinic programs. Through a law school clinic, students in their final year of study receive special certification to represent clients in certain types of cases, including bankruptcy. These students provide this assistance for no charge and under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys.
-
Private Bankruptcy Attorney
-
Retain a private bankruptcy attorney to represent you. Of course, by engaging the services of a bankruptcy attorney you will pay a fee. The fees changed by bankruptcy attorneys vary. Therefore, you need to obtain a fee estimate before hiring a lawyer.
Some bankruptcy attorneys permit their clients to pay their fee in installments. Many individuals facing bankruptcy find paying the fee of a bankruptcy attorney through installments an affordable way to obtain legal assistance.
-
