Filing for bankruptcy isn’t easy. There’s a lot of work involved and the process itself can take a while. This is why we do not generally recommend that anyone file for bankruptcy without the help of an experienced attorney. A Rockland County Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer from our firm can help you get the most out of the process and protect yourself from additional legal hassles.
What Can Happen If I File Without an Attorney?
The bankruptcy process can get quite complicated and it’s almost guaranteed that it’s going to involve a lot of paperwork. Navigating this without an attorney isn’t easy. You could encounter issues like:
Incorrect documents: Making any mistakes on any of the paperwork filed during the bankruptcy process can cause problems later. Your case might even get dismissed without your debts getting discharged! An experienced attorney can help you ensure that all forms are filed properly and that no important information is left out.
Unused exemptions: The bankruptcy process allows you to protect some assets with exemptions. Which kinds of assets can be exempted can sometimes get confusing, especially if you are choosing between federal or state rules. Your lawyer can make sure that you make the most out of any exemptions and do not need to lose any assets unnecessarily.
The chance to explore other options: Sometimes bankruptcy isn’t the right option for you. An attorney would be honest with you when you come in and ask about filing during your consultation. If you try to file on your own, you might only figure out later that this was not the best route to take.
Lawsuits from creditors: Sometimes creditors don’t want to accept your bankruptcy filing as-is and they decide to sue over it. A lawyer can help you deal with them.
Should I Ever File For Bankruptcy Without an Attorney?
There may be one situation where filing for bankruptcy without an attorney is a possibility. First, we would only recommend this for someone filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 is more complex because you have to make a payment plan for your creditors.
If you don’t have a significant amount of assets or income, you may be able to file for Chapter 7 on your own. It’s also important that you do not have creditors threatening you with legal actions like fraud. You also shouldn’t have any “priority” debts that would not be cleared through bankruptcy, like back child support or overdue alimony payments.
As you can probably tell, there are an awful lot of caveats even when someone is told that, technically, they could file for bankruptcy on their own. It’s a tough course of action to recommend and we really think that you should have a lawyer’s help.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
So if you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, don’t do it without an attorney. Contact the Lauterbach Law Firm and ask to schedule a consultation with our team. We’re ready to help you get your fresh financial start.