Can I File for Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer?

 Posted on June 05, 2023 in Bankruptcy

If you are struggling to repay your debts, you may be thinking about filing for bankruptcy. Understandably, as you likely have no money to spare, the thought of hiring a lawyer to represent your interests may feel counterintuitive. As a result, you may be wondering whether you can successfully navigate the bankruptcy process without a lawyer’s assistance.

Maybe, But Probably Not

There are two primary kinds of personal bankruptcy available to individual filers and married couples filing jointly throughout the United States. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is available to low-income filers and Chapter 13 bankruptcy is available to those who can make manageable monthly repayments to their creditors for 3-to-5 years.

There are some Chapter 7 filers who are able to file for bankruptcy without a lawyer. These individuals tend to have unusually straightforward financial circumstances and debt-related accounts. With this notable exception, bankruptcy filers generally cannot file for bankruptcy successfully without legal guidance.

The Chapter 13 process is far too complex to navigate in a “do-it-yourself” capacity, as it involves restructuring debt and negotiating a repayment plan with all interested creditors. While the Chapter 7 process is more straightforward, trying to complete it without a lawyer’s help often leads to mistakes that leave one’s property vulnerable to liquidation and/or one’s debts ineligible for discharge. Additionally, simple and unintentional mistakes made on bankruptcy paperwork can lead to disciplinary action, the dismissal of one’s case, and even accusations of fraud.

Schedule a No-Cost Case Evaluation with a Client-Focused San Antonio Bankruptcy Lawyer to Learn More

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, chances are good that the stakes of your situation are high. You may be concerned about saving your home from the risk of foreclosure, the impact that the stress of your finances is having on you and your family, or even making ends meet. By speaking with a knowledgeable San Antonio, TX bankruptcy lawyer, you can learn more about whether filing for bankruptcy is the best debt relief and/or debt management solution for your unique circumstances.

The last thing you want to do when the stakes of a situation are already high is to unintentionally raise them by pursuing solutions ineffectively on your own. By moving forward without informed guidance, you could misstep in ways that cost you even more time and money that you cannot afford to lose. Consider scheduling a no-cost, confidential consultation at the Law Offices of Chance M. McGhee today to learn about how we can help. You can submit a contact form online or call 210-342-3400 to get started. You are not alone. Our firm is here to help.

Source:

https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/process-bankruptcy-basics