If you are tired of having no money left over each month due to your overwhelming amount of debt, and if you are sick of creditors calling you constantly, have you considered filing bankruptcy? If you qualify for Chapter 7, you could instantly receive relief from the phone calls and letters and have a way to get rid of the debts you have. The only problem some people have with this is finding a way to afford it. If you cannot afford to file, you could consider filing on your own.
How Can You File Alone?
The majority of people that file for bankruptcy use a lawyer for help, but this is not mandatory. In fact, anyone can file alone if they want to. It may be harder to file without a lawyer, and it is not free, but it can be done. To do so, you will need to fill out all the necessary paperwork and submit it along with the required documents. This must be sent to the bankruptcy court, and this will initiate your bankruptcy proceedings.
How Do You Go About This?
Before you begin the process of bankruptcy, you should thoroughly evaluate your situation to determine if you really need to file. Filing for bankruptcy can be a great solution for debt problems, but it is not the only option. If there is another way out of your debt that will not have the consequences bankruptcy has, you may want to look into that first.
If you decide bankruptcy is right for you, there are several key things you should make sure you do:
- Learn the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 – These are the two common branches of law, and you should understand the key differences between them before you file.
- Fill out all the right paperwork – One of the hardest parts of filing without an attorney is making sure you fill out all the right bankruptcy papers, and that you fill them out completely and accurately.
- Submit documents as needed – Once you file your case, the bankruptcy trustee may ask you for additional documentation for certain things. You must submit these to the trustee when requested, and you must do so in a timely manner.
- Attend your hearing – After you file, you will be required to attend a hearing with the trustee, and you must attend this.
These are the basic steps you must complete if you file for bankruptcy. If you would like to learn more about filing alone, look up the bankruptcy forms and instructions required to do so.
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