I have a friend that wants to file bankruptcy and she wants to know if one can file bankruptcy on their own. We live in Wisconsin and many of the lawyers charge a lot of money plus she would have to pay the filing fee to claim bankruptcy. Does anyone know if this is something she can do on her own? I feel bad for her, she has never had money problems but when then she had some family members fall into some bad times and she thought she could be superwoman and help them all out meanwhile she left herself short and she is in a really bad situation right now. Any suggestions that I can tell her. Thanks!

Technorati Tags: bad situation, bankruptcy, family members, filing fee, lawyers, money problems

I refinanced my house through Ocwen in 2002 just before a major surgery to help with cost that I knew I would incur during the no work time. They told me one thing on the phone and when it came to signing, the paper work was nothing like what they offered me on the phone, but at the time is was only one week before surgery so I went ahead and signed. Since then I struggled and finally last year I was able to pay off my 2nd mortgage and all credit cards. The only bill left was the mortgage, since I paid off my vehicle the year before. November of last year I was in a bad car accident that totaled my vehicle. After receiving the check from the insurance company I purchased a used 2008 Dodge Advenger for 15,000 with 6,500 down on a 36 month loan. (Trying to stay debt free). Well December comes in and on the 2nd I was informed that layoffs would begin that week and sure enough two days later I got the call not to come in. This was a big surprise, since my company received records profits just the quarter before. Anyway I feel really bad, but I just cannot handle the mortgage payments anymore and I have tried everything to get the mortgage company to do something. They say I do not make enough for them to be able to help me. I am currently spending three hundred every month more than I am bringing in. My savings is now gone and starting to use credit cards again. And at this point I have a good chance of getting a job outside of Michigan, but if I do get the Obama modification I have to stay here with no hope of a job. Things just look worse at my company each month.
Will I be able to keep the car even though there is some equity in it? And can I let the house go this way with no reprecussions? I feel bad, but I also feel they took advantage of me when I was in a bad situation. And I have had the house on the market for over three years with not even a glimmer of hope. Thanks in advance for any and all advice. For those who like to talk down about people that file bankruptcy I pray you never find yourself in this situation. Current situation:

House owed 99,500 value about 105,000
Car owed 7,000 value about 15,000 (kbb)

Technorati Tags: 2008 dodge advenger, bad car, bad situation, bankruptcy, car accident, credit cards, dodge, getting a job, glimmer of hope, good chance, insurance company, layoffs, major surgery, mortgage company, mortgage payments, ocwen, profits, reprecussions, thanks in advance, work time