So, I recently (a couple days ago) was served with court papers, I am being sued by a hospital for ,000. I have about k-100k in medical bills alone, so to avoid paying the ,000 I know I should just file bankruptcy. Today I had a consultation with an attorney, and I am SO confused still. It was a free 30 minute one, so maybe that’s why I felt really rushed and lost…but anyway. It’s going to cost about ,500 to file. I am a 25 year old BROKE college student who works part time at a retail store, this is a lot of money =/ ….I know it’d be easier and for sure would get the papers done RIGHT, if I had an attorney, but I don’t know if I can afford it. I know you can file yourself. Has anyone done this? My sister got a paralegal about 5 years ago, and filed herself. She said it was about 0, but she said the paralegal was helpful in helping her with the paperwork, BUT she did miss a few things. I feel like I’d be paying the lawyer to basically just go to the court and turn in the papers, and come with me to court. I still have to do all the dirty work of course…gathering my bills, filling out all the paperwork, etc…but I’m not sure if ,500 is worth having an attorney. Also, I am confused on this court paper I got. I know that they will eventually file a judgement against me (within 14 days) and start garnishing my checks, I understand bankruptcy can stop this. But is it only after your papers are completely filed and done? Or is it when you START the process? I am so lost! The attorney told me to try and get all this paper work gathered and figured out before 10 days so we can start it before the creditor starts coming after my money through the judgement. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!

Technorati Tags: 100k, bankruptcy, checks, consultation, couple days, court papers, creditor, dirty work, judgement, lawyer, medical bills, money, paper work, paperwork, paralegal, part time, retail store

I March of 2008 we filed chapter 13. We were on a 5 year payout. We completed our payout ahead of schedule. Our notice from the bankruptcy trustee showed a negative balance for a period of nine months while court ordered payroll deductions continued. We had problems with our attorney. They kept telling us it would get corrected. Actually we never spoke with our attorney. A paralegal always spoke with us. Eventually we went directly to the trustee and got discharged with a nice refund. Now, 9 months later, the same paralegal has called us and wants us to sign an undated request for discharge. It all seems a bit odd. Any suggestions? Should I sign this undated document?
Thanx Steven. I was leaning toward your opinion before my question posted. Just needed some confirmation. On a side note…..I paid this attorney 00 cash. I saw him twice…..in his office and in court. Did he rob me?

Technorati Tags: 9 months, bankruptcy trustee, chapter 13, confirmation, negative balance, nine months, paralegal, payroll deductions, undated document

I am trying to figure out which route to go. I owe over 30 Thousand in debt and at the moment I don’t own any property besides a car I bought for ,000 a year ago (1997 Chevy) I don’t have a job currently due to be laid off and on unemployment. I due have income tax which is about 2000 (The lawyer I talked to is charging 1000 + 300 in court fees) so that would be all my money… How hard is it going the paralegal way? Is it a for sure thing my bankruptcy will go through? Is the lawyer a better choice? need help!?

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy, chevy, court fees, income tax, job, lawyer, money, paralegal, sure thing, unemployment

Curious if anyone has an experience that may persuade me one way or another based on positve or negative experiences. A paralegal is like half the cost and lets face it if I am considering bankruptcy I have less money to hire/spend. On one hand I believe a paralegal to be just as competent as an attorney and most do the lion’s share of work in law firms and then the attorneys comb over their work and sign off. But does an attorney offer any more protection than a paralegal, for instance from a trustee and their digging or at charge off or have more guarantees in a bankruptcy. Or is a bunch of hype.

Technorati Tags: attorneys, bankruptcy, comb, guarantees, hype, law firms, lion, money, negative experiences, paralegal, trustee

I’ve decided to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy…my employment hasn’t been steady in the last year and my debts eclipsed my rent even though I was on a debt mgmt company. All my accounts are closed and I haven’t used a card for anything since July (and that was at best a grocery purchase). I’ve been living off of temporary jobs and the occasional two-week unemployment benefit. I’m single, live alone in a small apartment, have no assets (not even a car). I have approximately K in old credit card debt. I’m not a shopaholic…most of the debt was incurred either to help me stay afloat while unemployed (and not receiving UE benefits).

I know bankruptcy will screw my credit, but I don’t really care…I don’t plan on moving anytime soon or buying anything on credit within the next few years. It would be wonderful to be able to put away some savings after paying my bills (00 a month would pay all my bills and allow me a modest budget of disposable income) would feel wonderful after scraping by for years and praying I don’t lose a job.

I can’t afford to hire an attorney, so I’m having a paralegal help me out. I know an atty would be better, but since I have nothing to save (no assets), I figure things would be pretty cut and dried.

At the moment, I am subsisting on temporary jobs and unemployment benefits during the weeks I am not working. A permanent job could come along, but I’m guessing not for at least another month.
wash – you can make payments to an attorney? I visited one early on in my decision and they quoted me 00, all upfront. I’ve heard that if you screw up your paperwork, you cant file for bankruptcy for a whole year, so I realize the value of an attorney…however, I also have a pretty simple financial matter: no assets, no kids, no mortgage.

Yahir – I don’t know if you’re a real person or not since I see a lot of these links, but just FYI – I was working with a debt mgmt company for about three years before I lost a job and could no longer pay them.
I’m single, no kids, never married.

This paralegal is not working for an attorney…she has her own business. She also told me she has filed for bankruptcy herself a number of times….I don’t know if this is a warning sign or it proves that she knows the ropes as far as what to expect.

Technorati Tags: assets, budget, chapter 7 bankruptcy, credit card debt, debt mgmt, debts, disposable income, financial matter, job, mortgage, paperwork, paralegal, real person, shopaholic, small apartment, temporary jobs, unemployment benefit, unemployment benefits, upfront

I filed BK 13 a little over two years ago. A couple of months back I learned that one of the creditors added in Schedule B is reporting the debt as a collection on the credit report. I later received a letter from a collection firm representing said creditor. I took the letter to my attorney who said "okay we’ll sue". The paralegal said that I’ll be their guinea pig since they’ve never sued anyone. Since then, my attorney is not responding to questions that I have i.e. what are we sueing for, what are the steps taken, who pays for this etc..ANY QUESTION really. I have no clue what they are doing and am being blown off by the attorney and the paralegal both who were very nice up until that point. Also, my attorney put the wrong dollar amount on the schedule B as debt for that creditor but I’m being told the amount doesn’t matter as long as the creditor is included in the BK 13 they are going to be discharged (so the amount wasn’t changed). I am concerned that after the 13 has been discharged the creditor will come after me because of my attorney’s inability or unwillingness to take care of business. Any calls or emails are being ignored. I did receive one call from one of my attorney’s employees who stated that he is filing the claim (1 1/2 weeks ago) but my question whether or not I will receive anything on paper telling me what is being done etc remained unanswered. Basically, I don’t know anything, I don’t know what to look for and/ or what to expect. What should I do ?

Technorati Tags: bk, clue, creditor, creditors, guinea pig, paralegal

I’m 25.. I don’t own a house, but have about k unsecured debt I owe and want to file BK… Additionally, I have a 2 yr new car currently financed for an additional k I want to keep.. I know attorneys are expensive in my area Van Nuys/ West San Fernando Valley, so am finding myself at possibly going with a paralegal.. Please help, and advise if this is smart or not… I definately don’t want to lose my car… Thanks!

Technorati Tags: attorneys, bk, new car, paralegal, san fernando valley, unsecured debt, van nuys, west san fernando valley

I’m declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I incurred a large amount of debt (about K, all credit card). It began with buying an older car that cost me hundreds a month in repairs and continued through other forms of bad luck (a huge roaming charge on a phone plan with a grandfather clause, unemployment, etc.). I’m not the stereotypical shopaholic who wants to get a lot of stuff for free…anyone who saw my lifestyle would see that I don’t live extravagantly.

I went to one attorney who quoted me 00, which seemed like a lot since my case is pretty cut and dried. I know a paralegal who will prepare my documents for 0, but once the docs are done, I’m on my own, and I really don’t want to face a bunch of corporate attorneys by myself at a creditors’ meeting, so I’m thinking of hiring an attorney.

I figure I could pay something like 00 (0 up front with three or four monthly payments beyond that) for an attorney to draw up papers and defend me at a creditors’ meeting. Is this a reasonable fee to expect?

Technorati Tags: bad luck, chapter 7 bankruptcy, corporate attorneys, credit card, creditors, docs, grandfather clause, lifestyle, paralegal, shopaholic, unemployment

I’m declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I incurred a large amount of debt (about K, all credit card). It began with buying an older car that cost me hundreds a month in repairs and continued through other forms of bad luck (a huge roaming charge on a phone plan with a grandfather clause, unemployment, etc.). I’m not the stereotypical shopaholic who wants to get a lot of stuff for free…anyone who saw my lifestyle would see that I don’t live extravagantly.

I went to one attorney who quoted me 00, which seemed like a lot since my case is pretty cut and dried. I know a paralegal who will prepare my documents for 0, but once the docs are done, I’m on my own, and I really don’t want to face a bunch of corporate attorneys by myself at a creditors’ meeting, so I’m thinking of hiring an attorney.

I figure I could pay something like 00 (0 up front with three or four monthly payments beyond that) for an attorney to draw up papers and defend me at a creditors’ meeting. Is this a reasonable fee to expect?
I don’t know if creditors will show up to my meeting or not, but if they do, I want legal representation with me. This paralegal will file the paperwork for me, but that’s all they will do.

Technorati Tags: bad luck, chapter 7 bankruptcy, corporate attorneys, credit card, creditors, docs, grandfather clause, legal representation, lifestyle, paperwork, paralegal, shopaholic, unemployment

can i go through wethepeople or divorcesource.com or another do it yourself paralegal assisted divorce site for a non contested divorce if there is a lot of debt involved? we our both residents of california. agreeably the debt doesn’t need to be fought over we can split it ourselves…. will the divorce be granted? or should we attempt filing for bankruptcy first or all at the same time as their is no way to pay the debt down in a lump payment. no kids…married for year and half

Technorati Tags: divorcesource, filing for bankruptcy, non contested divorce, paralegal, wethepeople

I’m 23 bills include BofA credit card which they are taking me to court for..Personal Loans…Medical etc..
Some people say its to little other people say start clean what do you think?
BTW because the debt is so little I was gonna have a paralegal/typist do all the forms for me at 5 im worried when I get a job they are gonna garnish my wages

Technorati Tags: bofa, credit card, job, paralegal, personal loans, wages

I just did Chapter 7 bankruptcy papers online and would like to know if there is anyone that can have review them before you file them to make sure everything is alright? I am in California… thank you

Can a paralegal do it?

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy papers, chapter 7 bankruptcy, paralegal

A co-worker of mine referred me to a paralegal that has helped a few of her friends and cousins get through bankruptcy. He is only going to charge me 0 (as opposed to up to 00 with a lawer) and literally walk me through it. I guess the word "paralegal" is worrying me a little because he is not a lawyer but does anyone else have any experience with a paralegal and bankruptcy?

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy, co worker, cousins, lawer, lawyer, paralegal

I am a Bankruptcy Paralegal for a firm that handles Criminal Defense and Bankruptcy Law. I would like to do a little side work as a Petition Preparer and offer individuals a lower cost option. I cannot offer legal advice or complete the process like an Attorney can, although I can draft all legal documents concerning the Bankruptcy for a small fee.

I have never signed anything with my employer as to side work.

Could they sue me if they found out? Fire me??
Just to clarify.

There has been no compete contract signed. The firm is a small firm, husband & wife, who are not very professional. If I lost my job I would be okay, considering taking a new position as is. I am not looking to take clients from the database nothing of that nature.

I am considering placing flyers out for Bankruptcy Options at lower cost. No Legal Advice.

My main concern is if I start this prior to taking a new position in a completely different field of law, could they sue me.

Thank you for all your responses!

Technorati Tags: amp, bankruptcy law, bankruptcy options, flyers, job, legal advice, legal documents, new position, paralegal, petition

when you decide to hire an attorney? I completed all the paperwork and made all the necessary copies. I also paid the bankruptcy fee. I started getting nervous and hired and attorney for 5.00. He did 2 addendums and never went to court with me. He said that I had to go Chapter 13. I hired him in Oct. of 2006 and his paralegal contacted me twice by phone and once by mail. In Jan. of 2007 he went court to be release as the Attorney of Record. He told the court that I never contacted him. I feel like I’m being cheated. He never did the Chapter 13 paperwork or 7? What can I do?

Technorati Tags: addendums, bankruptcy, chapter 13, mail, necessary copies, paperwork, paralegal