
Filing bankruptcy without an attorney can be extremely difficult
Written by Craig D. Robins, Esq.
When Congress changed the bankruptcy laws in 2005, they made filing for bankruptcy extremely complex and complicated.
The fact is that is it is extremely difficult to file for bankruptcy without an attorney.
Recent figures indicate that about nine out of ten self-prepared bankruptcy petitions are dismissed because the “pro-se” debtors did not properly fulfill their obligations under the new bankruptcy laws. “Pro-se” is the Latin legal term for someone who is representing himself or herself without a lawyer.
Representing Yourself in Bankruptcy is Often A Mistake
Filing for bankruptcy is much more involved than reading a “How to File Bankruptcy” book. It takes a keen understanding of federal and state law.
Many debtors who represent themselves are not aware of what assets they can protect, and what assets they cannot protect. I have seen many a case where the trustee has taken assets from a pro-se debtor because they were not exempt and protected.
The Means Test Can Be Very Complicated
Every person filing bankruptcy must complete the
means test and must do so properly. If the means test is not prepared the right way, it can constitute grounds for the Bankruptcy Court to dismiss your case.
Documents Must Be Filed with the Court and Provided to the Trustee
The new laws also require that a debtor provide a number of documents to the trustee in a timely fashion. I have observed that with a great number of pro-se Chapter 7 filings, the trustees have refused to examine the debtor because the debtor failed to provide the proper documents.
In addition, I have never, ever seen a Chapter 13 pro-se debtor who provided all of the necessary documents to the Chapter 13 trustee when they were required to do so.
Finally, if you do not file other mandatory documents with the court on a timely basis, the court will dismiss your case.
You Must Know What Information Must be Provided in the Bankruptcy Petition
The petition, itself, is rather complicated. With most of the cases we file, the petition is close to 50 pages long.
Retaining an Experienced Bankruptcy Attorney is a Wise Investment
An experienced bankruptcy attorney will know how to quickly and efficiently put together your petition, file your case in the proper way, and then represent you in Court.
When it comes to seeking to eliminate a substantial amount of debt, it makes sense to do it the right way. Many experienced bankruptcy attorneys, such as my
Long Island Bankruptcy Law Office, offer free consultations.