In Pennsylvania, can I file for bankruptcy, without hiring a lawyer?
I want to eliminate my debt, but I’m not sure if it’s Chapter 11 that I need to file. I live on Social Security, and I just can’t catch up on my bills, let alone, have money to hire a lawyer to do this for me. Can I file this without a lawyer??
I’m not talking about going to trial, just asking if I MUST have a attorney to file, or can I do that myself, or does an attorney HAVE to file on my behalf??
If you don’t even know what Chapter of bankruptcy you need to file, you definitely can not do this without a lawyer. Or rather, you could try – but you will probably make unintentional errors that will wind up putting you in a WORSE position than you are in now.
Ch 11 is for businesses and millionaires. Are you a millionaire? Ch. 11 can NOT be filed pro se. It will be automatically dismissed. You must use an attorney to file Ch 11.
Here is an article that was just posted on Bankruptcy Law Network (a bankruptcy info website run entirely by attorneys who are posting public info, not trying to solicit business for their own practices) by a bankruptcy attorney about paying for bankruptcy when you’re "broke."
http://www.bankruptcylawnetwork.com/2010/08/07/paying-for-bankruptcy/
August 10th, 2010 at 5:56 pmA person who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.
Hire an attorney. Once you hire an attorney for bankruptcy you will not have to pay the bills going in the bankruptcy so you will have the funds to pay attorney fees.
Hire an attorney or you will lose.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:56 pmDefinatley hire an attorney.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:56 pmCall legal aid. They might have an attorney that will help you for no fee.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:56 pm