Where To StartStep #1 is to use our free bankruptcy evaluation below to get more information about bankruptcy.
Available OptionsAs with anything, the sooner you act, the more options you will have. Start on our free evaluation below.
Rebuild Your CreditAfter bankruptcy, your bills will be lower, but it's crucial to rebuild your credit ASAP. We'll help you there too!
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Speaking With A Bankruptcy Lawyer
In the United States, if you intend to file for bankruptcy, you'll need to do so in a federal court. Although it's not necessary to use a bankruptcy lawyer, it's probably a good idea. A bankruptcy lawyer can help you through the entire process, make sure everything is filed properly, and save you a lot of time and research. Most bankruptcy lawyers are reasonably priced and in the long run, can save you a lot of money.
Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer can cost as little as $399 per case, plus filing fees, but be careful with low priced attorneys, because they may have hidden fees or they may rely on paralegals to work on your case.
Your bankruptcy attorney will likely have first hand experience with the judge hearing your case and your lawyer will make sure all the documentation is completed correctly. In a bankruptcy court, one mistake can get your case dismissed, or worse, you could be breaking the law if you do something incorrectly.
Most bankruptcy lawyers will allow you to make payments towards their fee. So if you can't afford the entire fee up front, ask them to stretch it out over the term of the case. This should give you several months to pay the bill. A bankruptcy lawyer could cost between $500 and as high as $10,000, depending on the complexity of your case. But the average cost is generally less than $2,000.
If you decide that filing bankruptcy is something you want to try without a bankruptcy attorney, you should first calculate the cost. The largest expense in filing for bankruptcy on your own, is the amount of time it will take to research, and correctly completing all documents and statements. The amount of time you will spend doing this could take up to 10x longer than if using a bankruptcy lawyer. There will also be bankruptcy filing fees of at least $300. Even after all this time and expense, you'll still run a much higher risk of making a mistake and having your case dismissed. In the long run, using a bankruptcy lawyer is still your best option.
Do It Yourself Bankruptcy Kits are also floating around the Internet, in book stores and office supply stores. These kits try to make filing for bankruptcy more cost effective and for some they may actually work. If you have a simple bankruptcy case, with no disputes or any circumstances out of the ordinary, then a Do It Yourself Bankruptcy Kit may work for you. But you need to use caution, because if you make a mistake, it will end up costing you a lot more than the just the price of the bankruptcy kit.
With a bankruptcy attorney, you'll have peace of mind, knowing that your case is being handled by a professional.
"Even if you have a simple and straight forward case, it's still a good idea to hire an attorney to review your case. Most attorneys will charge a lower fee to simply review your paperwork." Ultimately, if you are filing for bankruptcy, then you need to speak with a qualified bankruptcy lawyer. Whether you end up hiring that bankruptcy lawyer to represent you in the case will depend on how you feel after the free evaluation.
But keep in mind, there is no obligation to hire an attorney, even if they give you a free evaluation. You will be able to get free advice and information and at the very least, you'll know if you're likely to qualify for bankruptcy. You can get your free evaluation and speak with a bankruptcy lawyer by using the evaluation form on the left of this page. If you have any special requests or instructions, please mention them when you complete the form.
Filing for bankruptcy doesn't have to be scary, just make sure it's your best option before moving forward.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Learn about everything you need to know about the Bankruptcy Courts here!
