Do I Need a Lawyer to File Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy law does not require you to have an lawyer to file bankruptcy. And many people try to save money by filing their bankruptcy themselves! But in most cases, the skill and knowledge of an experienced bankruptcy lawyer will enable you to get more/ debt wiped out – in a faster amount of time – than trying to “do it yourself”.
What a Bankruptcy Lawyer Does:
Lawyers Determine the Best Type of Bankruptcy
To file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy you must “qualify”. Your lawyer can help determine if you meet the income criteria for Chapter 7 or if you must file Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Additionally, your lawyer can assess which type of bankruptcy will save you the most money, wipe out the most debt, enable you to keep the most property – and advise you if your case has any difficulties or risks of which you should be aware.
Bankruptcy Lawyers May Get Filing Fees Waived
Effective June 1, 2016 the Filing Fee to the Bankruptcy Court is $335 to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and $310 to file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. In some cases a skilled and knowledgeable Bankruptcy lawyer can file the appropriate Affidavits to get your filing fees waived.
Bankruptcy Lawyers File Required Forms
In addition to the initial bankruptcy petition, filing for bankruptcy also involves numerous complicated forms and supporting documentation to be filed – by very specific deadlines. If you handle the bankruptcy yourself and you miss a deadline or fail to file a form it can substantially delay your case or even result in dismissal of your case. It can also result in creditors “winning” and debts not being discharged.
Bankruptcy lawyers have specialized software that prepares and files your required bankruptcy paperwork with the court – and keeps track of all deadlines – ensuring that all paperwork is filed properly and in a timely fashion.
Bankruptcy Lawyers Appear in Court
Bankruptcy cases involve one or more hearings in front of a Federal Judge in Bankruptcy Court. This can be an intimidating process without an lawyer to represent you – and it is easy to make a mistake that can compromise your case.
Bankruptcy Lawyers Negotiate with Trustee & Creditors
One of the most important functions of a bankruptcy lawyer is to take over all communications and negotiations with your creditors. Once an lawyer files your bankruptcy case, the creditors can no longer contact you directly!
Chances are if you are filing bankruptcy you have already unsuccessfully tried to get your creditors off your back. Hiring an experienced bankruptcy lawyer ENSURES that you never have to deal directly with your creditors again. And, because experienced bankruptcy lawyers are tough and skilled negotiators, chances are you will get much more debt discharged with an lawyer than if you did it by yourself!
Don’t Risk Trying to “Do It Yourself”!
Call Southfield’s Best Bankruptcy Lawyers
Our bankruptcy lawyers have helped hundreds of individuals in the Southfield area, and across the greater Wayne County & Oakland County area reduce or completely wipe out debt by filing bankruptcy.
Call our experienced Southfield bankruptcy lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION to see if filing bankruptcy is right for you!